Web Resources

Midwives

College of Midwives of Ontario: regulating body responsible for licensing midwives and ensuring safe practice

Association of Ontario Midwives: professional body of midwives provides information about finding a midwife in your community

Canadian Association of Midwives

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care: information about midwives

Ontario Birth Registration

Service Ontario: Register your baby’s birth online

Local Resources

Grand River Hospital Childbirth Services
Follow this link to an 8 minute video tour of the Childbirth unit

Ontario Early Years Centers

Drop in centers with resources and toy library

Our Place KW
154 Gatewood Rd. NOTE: Parking lot entrance is off Blueridge Ave. Please us ‘Entrance B’.
Kitchener, Ontario

Waterloo Region – several locations

Public Health

Child Health, General Topics: As soon as a baby is born, there are new and important matters for parents to consider, such as breastfeeding, newborn development and sleeping safety.

Kidsability

Serves children with a wide range of special needs in the Waterloo region

Public Libraries

Kitchener

Waterloo

Waterloo Region

Find a Family Doctor

Health Care Connect: Ministry of Health website

Prenatal Classes

The Nesting Instinct: Prenatal classes (519) 998-4476

Online Prenatal Course by Region of Waterloo

Tara Sharpe

Belly Buttons

Bring on Baby: Prenatal and Childbirth Classes

Tummies to Toes: Prenatal classes and birth tub rentals

Conestoga College

George Street Naturopathic Medicine: Dr. Joanna Thiessen, ND: HypnoBirthing childbirth educator

Balancing from Birth to Baby: Prenatal and postpartum classes, and doula services

General Information

Waterloo Region Public Health: where to phone when you need help or information

Women’s Health Matters (Women’s College Hospital)

Caring for Kids (Canadian Pediatric Society)

Zero to Three (American non-profit organization)

Every Mother Counts: Making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every woman

Newborn Screening Ontario

Pregnancy Info from the SOGC: Evidence-based information for pregnant women

Sexual Health and Contraception: Updated information from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada

Breastfeeding

Dr. Jack Newman: information about breastfeeding, including video clips

La Leche League Canada: find breastfeeding support near you

Breastfeeding Buddies program of the Waterloo Region Public Health: trained volunteers to provide one on one peer support for breastfeeding.

Me? Breastfeed? Free course offered by Waterloo Region Public Health

Breastfeeding Committee for Canada: Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative

Infact Canada: activist group to promote and protect breastfeeding, website has a lot of useful information

Grand River Hospital Breastfeeding Support Services

Breastfeeding videos by Waterloo Region Public Health

Tania Heinemann: Lactation Consultant and Nutritionist

Pregnancy+Breastfeeding Pocket Guide

Postpartum Mood

Grand River Hospital Post-Partum Mood Disorders Support Group 835 King St. W., Kitchener?(519) 749-4300 ext. 2267

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: information about postpartum depression

Mood Disorders Association of Ontario: fact sheet on postpartum depression

Postpartum Support International: a website for mothers and fathers experiencing post partum related mood disorders, offers information and suggestions for assistance

City of Toronto Information and Resources: for families dealing with Prenatal and Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

Post Partum Depression Arts Group : Pieces of Me: A community embedded collage project engaging women challenged by Post-partum Depression (PPD)

Christina Page Counselling : Beginning in July, 2022: An 8 week virtual prenatal mental health support group, and an 8 week virtual postpartum mental health support group. Groups will continue to run regularly every 8 weeks after the summer session.

Elle Psychotherapy : Elle Psychotherapy is a team of devoted experts who provide treatment and support to women with depression, anxiety, and other difficulties during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Car Seat Safety

Car Seat Safety video
Please watch this video before your baby is born.
It is important that the baby’s straps are very snug to the body in order to be safe in case of a sudden stop. The baby should wear layered clothing but not a coat or snowsuit.

Region of Waterloo Public Health: car seat information

St. John Ambulance: car seat clinics
Call 519-740-8895 for an appointment.
You must bring the manual for your car seat and car when you come.

Research and evidence

Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario: Ontario Newborn Screening

Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada

Home birth

Birthplace options: Home birth

Video on choosing home birth: Video created by the Association of Ontario Midwives

Home birth with midwife safe as hospital: CBC News Posted: Aug 31, 2009

Outcomes associated with planned place of birth among women with low-risk pregnancies: 2015 study

Outcomes of planned home birth with registered midwife versus planned hospital birth with midwife or physician: 2009 study

Outcomes of planned home births with certified professional midwives: large prospective study in North America: 2005 study

Outcomes of planned home births versus planned hospital births after regulation of midwifery in British Columbia: 2002 study

Outcomes of 1001 midwife-attended home births in Toronto, 1983-1988.: 1991 study

Delayed cord clamping

Academic Ob/Gyn blog: Delayed cord clamping should be standard practice in Obstetrics

Penny Simkin Youtube video: Visual demonstration of early vs delayed cord clamping

Science & Sensibility: A Research Blog about Healthy Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond: Consider the Source: An interview with Cord Clamping Researcher, Judith Mercer

JAMA Pediatrics (Abstract): Effect of Delayed Cord Clamping on Neurodevelopment at 4 Years of Age: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Sleeping with your Baby

UNICEF: Guideline for Caring for Your Baby at Night
Bed-Sharing Research Review

Circumcision

Some things to think about before making a decision

Circumcision the Whole Story video by Barrie Midwives

Canadian Pediatric Society Circumcision: information for parents

Canada Circumcision Statistics

Proportion of infants circumcised by province

Dr. Gifford Jones, Sun Media Columnist Circumcision, the Unkindest Cut (short column outlining the main arguments against circumcision)

Canadian Children’s Rights Council Note: strong bias against circumcision

Circumcision Resource Centre

News December 2016 Danish Medical Association said it was wrong to deny an individual the right to choose whether or not they wanted to be circumcised.

Complementary Services

The Nesting Instinct: A doula group offering labour, birth and postpartum services in KW, Cambridge and Guelph

Doula C.A.R.E.: Canadian Association, Registry and Education. Find a Doula in your area!

Mommy A Go Go: For Active Moms in Guelph, Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo

The Natural Way Health Clinic: a multi-disciplinary health clinic offering naturopathic, chiropractic, counselling, acupuncture, registered massage therapy, clinical nutrition

LiveWell Health and Wellness clinic: an integrated clinic offering chiropractic, massage, naturopathy and other services in Baden

Naturopath: Jessica Gurske ND

St. Jacobs Naturopathic Clinic: The power of healing naturally

Waterloo North Chiropractic & Massage: Chiropractic, registered massage therapy and osteopathy

KW Pelvic Health: Physiotherapy specializing in pelvic floor health

Back Works: Physiotherapy for bladder control and pelvic pain

Qualia Counselling Services: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Waterloo Region

Jennifer Erickson MSW: offers relationship education workshops and couples counselling, helping them stay connected to each other when a baby joins the family

Amanda Weber: Prenatal Meditation, Relaxation and Visualization Teacher

Piper Martin, B.Ed., DS Hom.Med: Classical Homeopathy

George Street Naturopathic Medicine: Dr. Joanna Thiessen- Naturopathic Doctor, Birth Doula, HypnoBirthing childbirth educator

Hands-on Healthcare Clinic: Dr. Deborah Heaman, Chiropractor

Darlene Hewitt: Consulting Hypnotist and Cognitive Behavioural Coach

Solace Massage: featuring a specialized pregnancy table to provide extra prenatal comfort

Heidi Brubacher Acupuncture: Acupuncture and Energy Healing

Connie Osborne, RMT: Prenatal Massage Thereapy

Walsh Health and Wellness Clinic: Chiropractor, Acupuncture

Inspire Health and Wellness: Dr. Tara Hosie, Chiropractor

Pelvic Resilience:Lara Desrosiers, Occupational Therapist

CJ Osteopathy: Christine Johnston, Osteopathic Manual Practitioner

Broadleaf Health: A multi-disciplinary emotional and behavioural care clinic

Jessica Barnes: Registered Social Worker and Postpartum Doula

Ann Dyduch: Therapist

An Essential Kneed: Registered Massage Therapy Clinic

Achieve Balance: Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Alexandria Muirhead B.Eng,R.H.N: Registered Holistic Nutritionist

Support Groups

Bereaved Families of Ontario
171 King St. S., Waterloo
(519) 745-7280

Extend-A-Family Association:support for families with a disabled son or daughter
91 Moore Ave., Kitchener
(519) 741-0190

K-W POMBA (Parents of Multiple Births Association) Kitchener

Carizon Family and Community Services
400 Queen St. S., Kitchener
(519) 743-6333

Lutherwood: provides a one-stop first contact for families and young people who are looking for assistance and services.

Family Violence Project of Waterloo Region: collaborative of agencies that provides wrap-around, seamless services to victims of domestic violence
400 Queen St S, Kitchener

Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region
Operates shelters Anselma House in Kitchener and Haven House in Cambridge
24 hour crisis lines 519-653-2422 and 519-742-5894

Waterloo Region Sexual Assault Support Centre
300 -151 Frederick St., Kitchener
519-741-8633

Waterloo Region Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centre
St. Mary’s General Hospital
519-749-6994

Child and Parent Place: supervised access/exchange for non custodial parents.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Support Group
contact mbonnie@region.waterloo.on.ca

Addiction Guide: Information about various addictions and how to overcome them

Tobacco Free Life: Information on how to quit smoking

Marketplace

Yemaya Herbal Products: calendula ointment for sore nipples, and more

Sew Funky: local source of baby slings

Bailey’s Local Foods: order from the website and pick up food that has been grown within 100 miles of KW

Cheryl Chamberlain Photography: Specializing in family and birth photography

Tomorrow Photography: Birth Photographer

True Blue Therapy: Rental, delivery and set-up of birthing pools

Wordsworth Books & Babies: a fun filled half hour of stories, clapping games and songs to help you bond with your baby. There are numerous benefits to sharing books with your little one. Come and learn how to find the right books at what age, and how to make reading an exciting experience.

Henna Body Art

Clothes4Mom : Nursing and maternity-nursing clothes made from organic cotton and other natural fiber fabrics

MVP Meals : We prep, cook and deliver healthy meals for individuals and families in KW

Human+Mother : Handmade baby-wearing wraps