The Gift of Motherhood is our online prenatal education program. To see a demo of The Gift of Motherhood, click here.

This online prenatal education program gives you:

• flexible learning that fits your schedule;
• access for six months after you register;
• learning in English or French;
• and access to a Public Health Nurse at Renfrew County and District Health Unit for any questions.

Topics included are:

• Healthy pregnancy;
• Labour and birth;
• Becoming parents;
• and Feeding.

Register by calling 613-735-8651 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 (2 and a half hours each) or two weekend sessions (6 and a half hours each).

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.

2019 Prenatal Class Schedule

Pembroke Weekend Series (Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) at Renfrew County and District Health Unit (7 International Drive, Pembroke, ON)

• September 28th and 29th
• October 26th and 27th

Pembroke Weekday Series (Tuesdays 6:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.) at Renfrew County and District Health Unit (7 International Drive, Pembroke, ON)

• September 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th

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

• November 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th

Renfrew Series (Wednesday 6:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.) at St. Francis Xavier Parish Hall (331 Plaunt Street South, Renfrew, ON)

• October 23rd, 30th, November 6th and 13th

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

• June 1st and 2nd

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

Register by calling 613-735-8651 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.

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 Family Health at 613-735-8651 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.

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.

2019 Breastfeeding ABC’s Workshop Schedule

Pembroke (Wednesday 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.) at Renfrew County and District Health Unit (7 International Drive, Pembroke, ON)

• September 11th (FULL)
• October 9th
• December 4th

Renfrew (Wednesday 6 – 8:30 p.m.) at St. Francis Xavier Parish Hall (331 Plaunt Street South, Renfrew, ON)

• March 27th

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

• September 16th

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

To register for this workshop email familyhealth@rcdhu.com or call Family Health at 613-735-8651 Ext. 589 OR 1-800-267-1097 Ext. 589.

Listed below are prenatal resources developed by Renfrew County and District Health Unit. The following resources are available to view or download.

• Growing a Healthy Baby
• Prenatal Care
• Breastfeeding
• Becoming Parents
• Caring for Baby
• Community Resources

Several resources are presented during in-person Prenatal Classes and Breastfeeding ABC’s Workshop. 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 2nd 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
• Renfrew County Breastfeeds – website