Pregnancy and Expecting Parents
Preparing for a baby can be both an exciting and challenging time and you may have many questions. We offer support to help you have a healthy pregnancy and to help you and your family prepare for and adjust to life with a new baby.
It is important to have a prenatal visit to a health care provider (doctor, midwife, or nurse practitioner) during the first trimester.
Our Sexual Health program can help you confirm a pregnancy, provide information and resources about your options, and connect you with a healthcare provider.
What we do
Some of Northwestern Health Unit’s (NWHU) services related to pregnancy and expecting parents include:
- Prenatal classes
- Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program
- Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Referral Form
Prenatal classes
We offer prenatal classes for anyone who is expecting a baby. Classes include information about having a healthy pregnancy, labour, and birth, feeding and taking care of your newborn as well as becoming a parent.
We offer classes in person or online and may be available in group or one-to-one sessions.
To learn more about what is available in your community, or to sign up for classes:
- Call 1-800-465-4377
- Email prenatalhealth@nwhu.on.ca
- Call or stop by your local NWHU office
Upcoming prenatal classes
Healthy Babies Healthy Children program
Healthy Babies Healthy Children is a free program that offers support to families with newborns and children up to 6 years old. Families can self-refer to the program at any time or can be referred by any care provider.
After the delivery of your baby in hospital, you will be asked if you’d to be referred to the Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) program. Once we receive the referral from the hospital, we offer the following:
A phone call
An HBHC Public Health Nurse will call within 48 hours of discharge from the hospital. Nurses are trained to offer support during the postpartum period and can answer your questions, support your infant’s feeding choices, and provide up-to-date information.
In-person supports
An HBHC Public Health Nurse can visit you in your home, in our office, or in a community location to support you with:
- Adjusting to parenthood and ways to care for yourself
- Infant feeding
- Monitoring your baby’s growth and development
- Understanding emotional changes and postpartum recovery
- Establishing infant care routines
- Sharing information about parenting and health-related topics
- Connecting you with community resources
Home visiting program
If you need support beyond the postpartum period, we can offer a home visiting program up until your child starts school.
We are here to help! For more information:
- Call 1-800-465-4377
- Email hbhc@nwhu.on.ca
- Complete our Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Referral Form
- Visit your local NWHU office
Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Referral Form
Families can self-refer to the program at any time or can be referred by another agency.
Need more information?
- Pregnancy and Alcohol Don’t Mix – alcoholfreepregnancy.ca
- Having a baby – Public Health Agency of Canada
- I’m expecting – Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
- EI maternity and parental benefits: What these benefits offer – Canada.ca
- My Reproductive Life Plan – Best Start
- OMama
- Preconception health: health before pregnancy – Health Canada
- Pregnancy Info – The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- Support to Quit – Smoker’s Helpline
- Your Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy – Canada.ca
- Your Guide to Postpartum Health and Caring for Your Baby – Canada.ca