RCDHU is very pleased to announce that RCDHU has adapted an Online Prenatal Education Program from Public Health Sudbury & Districts called “Growing a Healthy Baby”.

The Online Prenatal Education Program gives you:

• flexible learning that fits your schedule;
• the option to stop and continue the program where you left off as needed;
• learning in English;
• accessibility from a laptop computer, desktop computer, smartphone and/or tablet; and
• access to a Public Health Nurse at RCDHU for any questions.

Modules covered within Growing a Healthy Baby are as follows:

1. Understanding Pregnancy
2. Healthy Lifestyles During Pregnancy
3. The First Hours After Birth
4. Feeding Your Baby
5. Life with Your New Baby
6. Keeping Your Baby Safe
7. Community Resources

Please note: At this time, Growing a Healthy Baby does not include a labour and birth module. For more information on labour and birth, please visit the Omama website.

For any questions about Growing a Healthy Baby:

• call: the Family Health Intake Line at 613-732-3629 ext. 589 OR 1-800-267-1097 ext. 589; or
• email: familyhealth@rcdhu.com.

A Public Health Nurse provides prenatal education in either four evening sessions (approx. 2 hours and 45 mins. each) or two weekend sessions (approx. 6 and a half hours each). Partners and/or support persons are welcome and encouraged to attend!

In-person prenatal gives you:

• demonstrations and hands-on learning;
• time for discussion and questions;
• a chance to meet other parents-to-be;
• take-home information (books, handouts and pamphlets).

Topics include:

• labour and birth;
• comfort measures;
• medical interventions;
• postpartum changes;
• newborn care and safety;
• infant feeding.

2020 Prenatal Class Schedule

Pembroke Weekend Series (both Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) in Pembroke, ON

• December 5th and 6th (location: to be determined) – Postponed until further notice

Pembroke Evening Series (four consecutive Tuesdays 6:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.) in Pembroke, ON

• July 21st, 28th, August 4th and 11th – Postponed until further notice
• September 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th – Postponed until further notice

Petawawa Evening Series (four consecutive Tuesdays 6:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.) at Southside Community Centre (1578 Wolfe Avenue, Petawawa, ON)

• October 20th, 27th, November 3rd and 10th – Postponed until further notice

Arnprior Weekend Series (both Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) at Arnprior Public Library (21 Madawaska Street, Arnprior, ON)

• October 31st and November 1st – POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

You can also see the schedule for Prenatal Classes in the calendar.

To register:

• call: the Family Health Intake Line at 613-732-3629 ext. 589 OR 1-800-267-1097 ext. 589, or
• email: familyhealth@rcdhu.com.

The Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC)  is a FREE voluntary program that provides supports and services during pregnancy and to families with children from birth to school entry.

In addition, the program offers universal screening opportunities and home visiting services for families who may benefit from additional support.

View/download the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Fact Sheet from the Government of Ontario in English and/or French.

To inquire about participating in the HBHC program, you can:

• fill in the online Healthy Babies Healthy Children Self-Referral Form;
• email: familyhealth@rcdhu.com; or
• call: the Family Health Intake Line at 613-732-3629 ext. 589 OR 1-800-267-1097 ext. 589.

A 2 ½ hour workshop for pregnant women and their partner/support person. Get hands-on information about how to breastfeed. Partners and/or support persons are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Topics included are:

• current recommendations;
• making an informed decision about infant feeding;
• breastfeeding in the first few days/weeks;
• latching and positioning your baby;
• hungry and full cues;
• breastfeeding challenges;
• partner’s role;
• expressing and storing;
• local resources and services;
• and more.

2020 Breastfeeding ABC’s Workshop Schedule

Pembroke (Wednesday 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.)

• August 19th – Postponed until further notice
• October 7th (location: to be determined) – Postponed until further notice
• November 18th (location: to be determined) – Postponed until further notice
• December 9th (location: to be determined) – Postponed until further notice

Arnprior (Thursday 6pm – 8:30 p.m.) at Arnprior Public Library (21 Madawaska Street, Arnprior, ON)

• October 1st – Postponed until further notice

You may also see the calendar for upcoming Breastfeeding ABC’s.

To register for this workshop:

• email: familyhealth@rcdhu.com, or
• call: the Family Health Intake Line at 613-732-3629 ext. 589 OR 1-800-267-1097 ext. 589.

Click on the link below for a list of local resources available in Renfrew County and District:

• Community Resources

Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program

Prenatal: Community Resource Centre (CRC) provides services to women during the prenatal period and after their baby is born. At Prenatal: CRC you can:

• meet other parents-to-be;
• cook and share tasty meals;
• discuss prenatal and parenting topics; and,
• receive prenatal vitamins and grocery vouchers.

A Public Health Nurse from RCDHU attends Prenatal: CRC monthly in Killaloe to offer education on a variety of topics.

• Where? Community Resource Centre (15 Lake St., Killaloe, ON)
• When? Every 4th Wednesday of the month (closed July and August)
• What time? 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

To learn more:

• call: San at 613-757-3108,
• email: beststart@crc-renfrewcounty.com, or
• visit: https://www.crc-renfrewcounty.com/programs/prenatal/.

Several resources are presented during in-person Prenatal Classes and Breastfeeding ABC’s Workshops. Below are the resources which are available to view or download.

In-person Prenatal Classes

Labour and Birth

• What to bring to the hospital – RCHDU
• Preterm Labour Signs & Symptoms – Best Start
• (French) Le travail prématuré, signes et symptômes – Meilleur départ

Comfort Measures

• Massage Techniques – Best Start
• Preparing for Birth is Like Preparing for a Competition – Best Start

Medical Interventions & Caesarean Birth

• Perineal Massage – Best Start
• Epidural Information Card
• Sample Birth Plan
• C-section – What you need to know

Postpartum Changes

• Pregnancy and life with a new baby are not always what you expect – Best Start

Newborn Care & Safety

• What you need to know: Fever – CHEO
• Keep Kids Safe Rear-Facing Seats Stage 1 – Transport Canada
• (Français) Protégeons nos enfants Siège orientés vers l’arrière Phase 1 – Transports Canada 
• Tummy Time Activities to Strengthen Baby – Pathways.org
• Skin 2 Skin The Importance of the First Hour – Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
• Creating Healthy Environments for Kids – Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health & Environment
• Baby’s Essentials – RCHDU
• Circumcision of baby boys: Information for parents – Caring for Kids
• How to change a disposable diaper – Baby Center
• Home Safety Checklist – RCHDU

Breastfeeding Basics

• (Français) Guide pour les mères qui allaitent – Meilleur départ 
• Guidelines for Nursing Mothers – Best Start
• Our Feeding Plan – Renfrew County Breastfeeds

Breastfeeding ABC’s Workshop

• Breastfeeding Matters – Best Start
• Skin 2 Skin The Importance of the First Hour – Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
• What to Expect… the Second Night – RCDHU
• Guidelines for nursing mother – Best Start
• Expressing and Storing Breast Milk – Best Start
• Blocked Ducts – Best Start
• Breast Infection (Mastitis) – Best Start
• Thrush – Best Start
• Soothers, What You Need to Know – RCDHU
• Ontario Breastfeeds – website