In light of the strict physical distancing measures in the Province of Ontario, we have moved all of our prenatal classes to an online platform - for your safety and ours.
We know that now more than ever families need support - we are here for you, in many capacities - through your pregnancy, your birth experience as well as in the days and weeks after baby arrives.
We invite you to explore our prenatal class offerings. Between our private customized "crash course" to our fabulous continuing education series (over 12 hours of classes covering many topics relevant to your pregnancy & postpartum time), we are confident you will find something that's just right for you!
Oh, and don't forget to join us for our FREE classes (details below)!
~Sarah & Carol Anne
Virtual Prenatal Classes -
Online Learning Facilitated LIVE via Virtual Platforms
free pregnancy info session-2 hours online
Join us for a FREE 2 hour virtual (LIVE) pre-natal class that will help you navigate your pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We know that there are a lot of unknowns and that you may have questions about pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery and infant care.
Changes to your pregnancy & birth experience due to COVID-19
Selecting a care provider and support team that are right for you
Birth options, making a birth plan/preference list and understanding informed consent
Changes in the hospital setting due to COVID-19 - restrictions on support people
Staying healthy during pregnancy & postpartum recovery
Education: selecting the right prenatal classes, books and other resources
The doula advantage - exploring the benefits of professional support and what that means during the pandemic
Parental leave - what's the plan?
Maternal and paternal mental health
Preparing for parenthood - expectations vs. reality
Making connections in the community (from health care providers to parenting groups)
We will talk about the things that are important to you:
register for the free 2 hour virtual prenatal class
All are welcome at any stages of their pregnancy. The session is FREE but you must register.
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Upcoming Dates
Sunday, February 7th @ 5:30pm
- free webinar -
your guide to prenatal nutrition & exercise
Join us along with Angela Wallace (registered dietitian and pre/postnatal fitness specialist) for a free webinar all about nutrition and exercise during pregnancy.
Nutrients that are key to supporting your baby's growth
What supplements to consider taking (prenatally and during the 4th trimester)
How to best support you and your baby through food and nutrition
Exercise during pregnancy: what to do, what to avoid and all the ways you can stay active (even during a pandemic)
you will learn more about:
register for this free webinar!
All are welcome at any stages of their pregnancy. The session is FREE but you must register.
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Upcoming Dates
wednesday, feb 10th @ 7pm
there's more!
Receive a copy of Angela's prenatal nutrition ebook which also contains lots of delicious and healthy recipes for you to enjoy.
planning for birth
During our group session we'll talk about what to expect for your upcoming birth experience, you will learn about the difference between birth plans vs preferences, which choices have the biggest impact on your birth experience, and how to write a precise birth preference list or create a visual birth preference document.
Why write a birth plan
The difference between a birth plan and birth preferences
Special considerations that may affect your choices
What are your choices
What is informed consent & informed refusal
A step by step guide to decision making in pregnancy. labour, birth & postpartum
The stages of labour & what to expect
A step by step guide to writing a written birth plan/ preferences document
A step by step guide to creating a visual birth plan
what you will learn:
Author Diana Korte wrote: "If I don’t know my options, I don’t have any."
Preparing for birth isn’t just about grabbing an online (likely US based) template and checking off a bunch of things. It’s about knowing and understanding ALL of your options, so that you can make informed decisions every step of the way.
register for the group session
inquire here for online private class
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Upcoming Dates
friday, january 22nd @ 7pm
bonus - there's more!
All attendees will receive exclusive access to a visual birth planner that they will be able to share with their health care team and their doula!
crash course prenatal
Learn the basics in the comfort of your home: be confident and prepared for birth.
This 2 hour in home prenatal "crash course" covers all the *must have* topics of a traditional prenatal education class and can accommodate your busy schedule. With options for daytime, evening, weekend classes, our availability makes it easy for you to schedule a date and time that best suit your life.
Labour day logistics
Signs of labour
Preparing for your hospital birth or home birth
Comfort measure and coping tools
Relaxation & breathing techniques
Common interventions and special circumstances
Labour & delivery
The first hours after birth
Basic "Baby 101" which includes swaddling, bathing, diapering, babywearing, etc
Topics we will cover:
schedule & pricing
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breastfeeding basics
Carol Anne and Sarah have been helping families learn the facts about breastfeeding and techniques for breastfeeding success over the last 8 years. With training from the world renowned INFACT Canada 20 Hour Breastfeeding Course, World Health Organization's Breastfeeding Training for Birth Professionals, as well as our ProDoula Postpartum and Infant Care training, we have combined our knowledge and skills to create this course not just for our private birth and postpartum clients, but for all expectant parents in Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Orangeville and the surrounding communities.
Why breastfeeding matters
How lactation works (understanding your body)
The benefits of breastfeeding
How to get a proper latch
How birth affects breastfeeding
The first crucial hours and weeks of breastfeeding
Learning hunger cues
Busting myths and fears
Common challenges and how to overcome them
Breastfeeding friendly supplementation and pumping
Breast milk handling and storage
How partners' can help
Local community resources
what you will learn:
Join other hopeful breast/chest feeding families in this fun 3 hour prenatal class created for all types of learners with videos, discussion, Q&As, demos (with dolls), slideshow and take home handouts.
online group class
register
inquire here for online private class
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Upcoming Dates
Sunday, january 31st @ 3pm
saturday, march 27th @ 11am
sunday, may 9th @ 3pm
sunday, june 27th @ 5pm
HypnoBirthing®
- The Mongan Method
HypnoBirthing® is based on the belief that babies can be born into the world gently and joyfully, and that mothers give birth calmly and comfortably. Many women have no idea how their body's are supposed to work in labour, and more importantly, how best to support their body's ability to birth. Through education, breathing techniques, relaxation, visualization, self-hypnosis and more, this class will bring you closer to achieving your ideal birth experience.
HypnoBirthing® classes are taught as a 4 week series, and each class is 3 hours in length. Sarah and Carol Anne are both Certified HypnoBirthing® Practitioners and believe that this is one of the most comprehensive and all encompassing birth preparation courses available to families. Carol Anne and Sarah teach this class together and students love that they get two perspectives and a combined 15 years of birth doula knowledge. Our classes are interactive, inspiring, fun and empowering. Expectant parents learn more about biology, birth options, and themselves, and they also make lasting friendships with their classmates.
Understanding our birth culture
Identifying common myths about childbirth
Letting go of anxiety and fear around birth
How our bodies work in labour and birth
Breathing techniques (three different types)
Instant and deepening relaxation techniques
Traditional pushing vs. birth breathing and the Natural Expulsive Relfex
The prenatal and postpartum parent
The importance of bonding with your infant prenatally & in the postpartum
Visualization techniques
How to use positive affirmation for pregnancy & labour
Birth preferences and planning
Labour management styles
Options for birth
Special circumstances in pregnancy & labour
Artificial & natural induction & augmentation methods
Hallmarks of labour
The supportive role of the Birth Companion and Doula
Weekly birth videos
This all encompassing class will cover such topics as:
online group class
how is this class different from other prenatal classes?
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inquire here for online private class
Upcoming Dates
WINTER SERIES ON SATURDAYS:
JAN 9 - Jan 30 @ 4:30PM
SPRING SERIES ON SATURDAYS
APR 10 - MAY 1 @ 4:30PM
Winter series: SATURDAYS ON jan 9 - 30 @ 4:30pm
SPRING SERIES: SATURDAYS ON APR 10 - MAY 1 @ 4:30PM
expecting multiples
There is a lot to learn when it comes to preparing for a baby, and even more to learn and plan for when you are expecting twins, triplets, or more!
As a doula, childbirth educator, and a mother to twin boys herself, Sarah Baker is passionate about preparing families for the realities of birthing and parenting multiples.
Labour day logistics
Signs of preterm labour
Signs of full term labour
Stages of labour
Comfort measure and coping tools
Medication and medication free options
Relaxation & breathing techniques
Labour & delivery
This customized 2.5 - 3 hour course facilitated in your home covers topics such as:
contact for more details
Giving birth in the operating room
Caesarean birth
The first hours after birth
The NICU experience
Infant feeding & creating schedules
(breastfeeding, pumping & bottle feeding)
Basic "Baby Care 101" (multiples edition)
which includes swaddling, bathing, diapering, babywearing, etc
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Baby Carrying Session
continuing education series
We've partnered with babywearing and baby carrying expert Victoria Celestini to bring you this 2 part session to answer all of your questions and prepare you for life with baby.
We can’t wait to take this deep dive in to baby carrying with you (all caregivers are welcome: prenatal moms and partners too!).
We created our infant care class to cover the most important topics for newborn care and to answer your most pressing questions. Our professional training in postpartum infant care, car seat safety, baby carrying, infant sleep, infant feeding practices, and more make us the perfect baby manual for you as you prepare for your baby. Join us for this exciting class as we cover all the "must learn" topics, and invite the excited grandparents too!
As doulas, we know how important pelvic floor health is to people on their pregnancy and postpartum journey, and that's why we've teamed of with Jessica Doig of Core Restore Physio to bring you this informative workshop created specifically for pregnant and postpartum women who are looking for practical information on how to improve their birth experience and optimize their postpartum recovery.
MORE INFO
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new class coming soon
self care & your mental health
Not only is it important to understand how your body changes when you have a baby, but it is equally as important to understand how your emotions, hormones and mind change as well. Learn how to manage the transition into parenthood by knowing how to spot the signs and symptoms of perinatal mood disorders, get tips on how to practice self care, and make healthy connections with a village of support for you and your baby.
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MORE INFO
MORE INFO
more info
Monday, January 25th @ 7pm
Tuesday, January 12th @ 7pm
Sunday, January 10th @ 6pm
stay tuned
Wednesday, January 27th @ 7pm
We spend so much time planning for pregnancy, labour & birth but we don't spend much time planning for our postpartum recovery. The 4th trimester is both a beautiful & transformative time, but it can also be challenging. You are recovering from birth, taking care of baby/babies, and slowly figuring out who you are as a parent. We've teamed up with Angela Wallace RD to bring you a workshop focused on the YOU, your recovery & this transitional time in your life.
Sunday, February 21st @ 5:30pm
Friday, February 19th @ 7pm
Wednesday, March 31st @ 7pm
Baby Led Feeding
Do you feel overwhelmed about introducing solid food to your baby and are not sure where or who to turn to for information? You are not alone, and that's why we have joined with Registered Dietitian, Personal Trainer and Family Food Expert Angela Wallace, MSc, RD from Eat Right Feel Right to bring you this interactive 2 hour workshop all about Baby Led Weaning.
What is baby led feeding (also known as baby led weaning)
What to expect with baby led feeding
How to know if baby led feeding is the right choice for you and your baby
How to know if your baby is ready for solids
Offering a variety of textures (we'll talk about purees)
How much food to offer your baby
How to offer solids to a baby safely
What foods to offer first
what you will learn:
register for the baby-led feeding online workshop
An online workshop facilitate live about introducing solids to your baby
Meal ideas and recipes
A complimentary 20 minute virtual consultation with Angela Wallace
Exclusive access to our private Facebook group with other Baby Led Feeding families which includes more recipes as well as additional and ongoing tips and support
One lucky attendee will be the winner of a baby led feeding themed giveaway (details to be revealed)
All attendees will go home with:
Upcoming Dates
sunday, february 28th @ 10am
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