Preparing for the arrival of your baby is an exciting and important time. Grand Erie Public Health offers prenatal education and support to help you feel confident and informed throughout your pregnancy journey. Our GEPH team can support you in different ways in your pregnancy journey, including one-on-one support, connection with community supports, in-person or online prenatal classes. We provide flexible options to meet your needs.
Our classes are designed for expectant parents in Brantford, Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk and include topics like:
- Comfort measures for labour
- Understanding the birth experience
- Infant feeding and newborn care
- Postpartum recovery and emotional health
- Community Resources and Support Systems
Explore our programs and choose the format that works best for you. We're here to support you every step of the way!
Prenatal Classes
Grand Erie Public Health is happy to offer our community online and in-person prenatal classes.
In-person classes are offered across the GEPH region. Some are facilitated by GEPH and others by trusted community partners. Expectant parents and caregivers are welcome to attend any location, regardless of the county in which they reside. To get the most out of your learning experience, registrants are encouraged to view the online prenatal classes and attend in-person classes. However, this is not a requirement.
If you are not a resident of Brantford, Brant, Haldimand, or Norfolk, please contact your local health unit about their prenatal classes.
Are you pregnant, or have a baby 0-6 months old? Join us for in-person, drop-in prenatal and postnatal groups at Margot’s Place.
The drop-in groups offer a safe, comfortable environment for pregnant women and new moms to connect and learn together about pregnancy and their babies.
Join the Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) drop-in group at any time during your pregnancy and until your baby is six months old. We cover pregnancy, labour and delivery, breastfeeding, nutrition, caring for your baby, and more! You are welcome to bring one support person with you; a friend, family member, partner, etc. We provide groceries, grocery gift cards, and bus passes.
Speak with a public health nurse or request a callback to learn more: 519-753-4937 ext. 6464.
Cost: Free
When: Every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. for postnatal and 4:30 p.m. for prenatal
Location: Margot’s Place at the St. Andrew’s Community Centre, 95 Darling St., Brantford (through the main entrance).
Local prenatal resources
A public health nurse facilitates in-person classes, which allow you to have all your questions answered, gain confidence, and meet other expectant parents in your community.
Topics covered in our in-person classes include:
- Comfort measures for labour and birth
- The birth experience
- Infant feeding
- Life with a newborn
- Coping skills as new parents
Where: EarlyON Centre, 282 Argyle Street South, Unit 4, Caledonia, ON
When: Tuesdays 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Options to register
Online: Visit Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit In-Person Prenatal Class Registration.
Call: 519-900-9600 ext. 3250
Local prenatal resources
- Haldimand Family Health Team: prenatal and postpartum support, breastfeeding help and sexual health services
- Midwives of East Erie
- Haldimand Pregnancy & Resource Centre
In-person prenatal classes are offered in partnership with Norfolk General Hospital and the Norfolk Family Health team. Join our Registered Midwives, Public Health Nurses, Lactation Consultants and Registered Dietitians for a 5-part series to gain confidence, knowledge and comfort about the following:
- Pregnancy Health & Nutrition (Preconception/Early Conception)
- End of Pregnancy and Labour
- Birth and Pain Management Options
- Feeding Your Baby
- Caring for Your Baby
- It is recommended that all classes be taken as a series; however, parents and caregivers have the option to register and attend individual classes that they are interested in.
Where: Grand Erie Public Health – Simoce Office, 185 Robinson Street. Simcoe, ON
When: Mondays 6:00-8:00pm and Wednesday 9:30-11:30am
Options to register
Online: Visit Norfolk Perinatal and Newborn Care Partners In-Person Prenatal Class Registration.
Call: 519-900-9600 ext. 3250
Local prenatal resources
- Norfolk General Hospital, Maternal and Infant Newborn Clinic
- Norfolk Midwifery Program provides a wide range of pregnancy, child health, and reproductive care services
- Norfolk Pregnancy & Family Resource Centre
- Norfolk Roots Midwifery Program
- Obstetrician-Gynecologist: Dr. Rupanjali Kundu
- Address: 65 Donly Drive North, Suite 4C, Simcoe, ON. N3Y 0C2
- Phone: 519-428-3060
- Fax: 1-855-519-5896
Bump to Baby is a self-paced online prenatal program made by Canadian experts, designed to support you through pregnancy, labour and delivery, and life with your newborn. It’s flexible, fun, and totally on your schedule! You can go through the topics in order, or jump around and pick what information you need. Your access does not expire.
Resources
In addition to the prenatal information provided in Bump to Baby, the following community programs or websites of trusted Canadian organizations support maternal health, child health and parenting: