New + Expecting Parents
Being a new parent can be an overwhelming time in your life and it can be difficult to figure out where everything is. We have listed some groups and resources here to help sort that out.
Do you think you might be pregnant?
Do a pregnancy test:
At your family doctor’s office
At home with a store-bought test
At a midwifery clinic
At a walk-in clinic:
I’m Pregnant and need a Maternity Care Provider
In British Columbia, women have options available for who cares for them during their pregnancy. The BC Medical Service Plan (BC MSP) will cover the cost of your maternity care. In the Comox Valley, you can choose a family physician or a registered midwife as your maternity care provider. In some circumstances you may be referred to an obstetrician for your primary care.
The Pregnancy Hub
Welcome to The Pregnancy HUB! Registration is FREE to all pregnant, postpartum and newly parenting people with infants up to 12 months old who are residents of British Columbia. The Pregnancy HUB is a 12-month virtual program that offers participants unlimited access to local pregnancy outreach program and service referrals, a virtual library full of evidence-based information, a monthly newsletter, and access to virtual programming on topics related to pregnancy and early parenting.
Get In Touch
Email: info@pregnancyhub.org
RIGHT FROM THE START
The Right from the Start program offers support for pregnant women and new mothers, their babies, children and families.
A public health nurse works in partnership with you and your care team, offering services that include:
free health and pregnancy information
education and support
referrals to community resources specific to your individual needs
For more information or to register online, visit the Island Health Right from the Start registration page. You can also contact Public Health Nursing to get more information about the program.
Get In Touch
Contact: Public Health Nursing
Phone: 250-331-8520
Email: rfts@viha.ca
Location: Comox Valley Health Unit, 961 England Avenue, Courtenay (map)
Trousse Bébé Francophone
Bébé Francophone is a welcome package for parents for expecting parents or who have a child under 12 months old, and have French as one of the languages spoken in their home. The package contains lots of information, as well as some “goodies” (including a CD of French songs and a baby book in French). Some of the resources included are geared specifically to families where only one parent is a Francophone.
Get In Touch
Phone: 1-800-905-5056
Email: info@fpfcb.bc.ca
ABORIGINAL DOULA SUPPORT PROGRAM
This program is offered through the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres. The program provides funding for expectant Aboriginal families to access doula services for prenatal, birthing, and postpartum support.
WHAT IS A DOULA AND HOW DO I FIND ONE?
A doula provides emotional, physical, and spiritual support for women and families during pregnancy and labour and after birth. In the Comox Valley, there is a website with contact information for local doulas (Comox Valley Doulas) or you can call 1-877-365-5588.
HOW DO I ACCESS THE PROGRAM?
The applications are available at Wachiay Friendship Centre. You and the doula will each need to fill out a section of the form and then return it to Lisa at Wachiay, who will send it on to the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres for processing.
Get In Touch
Contact: Lisa
Phone: 250-338-7793, extension 261
Email: lisa@wachiay.com
Location: Wachiay Friendship Centre, 1625 McPhee Avenue, Courtenay (map)
Breastfeeding Drop-in
This is a drop-in group for moms to get breastfeeding support and information from public health nursing and lactation consultants.
Get In Touch
Contact: Public Health Nursing
Phone: 250-331-8520
Email: rfts@islandhealth.ca
Location: Comox Valley Health Unit, 961 England Avenue, Courtenay (map)
Car Seat Information
Are you overwhelmed by the number of car seat choices? Do you wonder if the most expensive car seat is the safest? Are you totally confused by the car seat installation process? You are not alone!
Vancouver Island Car Seat Techs are local child passenger safety advocates.To find a technician or to ask a question about buying, using or installing a seat, visit their website or Facebook page.
HEALTHLINK BC PHONE LINE
Call 8-1-1 from anywhere in British Columbia to speak with the following health professionals:
Nurses
Can help with non-emergency health concerns
Available day or night
Dietitians
Can answer your healthy eating and nutrition questions
Available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm
Exercise Professionals
Can answer your physical activity questions and offer advice
Available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm
Pharmacists
Can answer your medication questions when your community pharmacist may be unavailable
Available from 5pm to 9am every night of the week
Get In Touch
Phone: 811
MAMACENTRIC
For mothers and babies, this group focuses on self-care, postpartum adjustment and life after baby.
Our goals:
to increase knowledge of parenting issues
to provide opportunities for socialization and community building in Cumberland
to reduce distress, isolation and depression
to increase the mental and social wellbeing of the whole family
Siblings up to the age of 3 are also welcome. Tea and snack provided. Program offered by Cumberland Community Schools Society
Get In Touch
Contact: Selena
Phone: 250-336-8511, extension 76616
Email: ccss.coordinator@gmail.com
Healthy Babies Prenatal nutrition program
This group is for pregnant women and new mothers with their babies (up to 6 months old) who are looking for extra support during pregnancy and with breastfeeding. Information about pregnancy, breastfeeding, personal wellness and newborn baby care.
There are guest speakers and a Public Health Nurse at each group. Other resources include:
sharing shelves
prenatal vitamins
emergency food hampers
individual and group support
Transportation is available and a healthy lunch is provided.
Get In Touch
Phone: 250-871-7577 Location: Comox Valley Family Services Association, 1415 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay BC
PACIFIC POST PARTUM SUPPORT SOCIETY
Pacific Post Partum Support Society supports women and men who are struggling during pregnancy or after the birth or adoption of a child.
Some of these difficult adjustments may include:
crying for no apparent reason
numbness or feelings of helplessness
frightening or intrusive thoughts
depression ranging from sadness to suicidal thoughts
anxiety or panic attacks
anger and aggression
feelings of resentment toward the baby
The Pacific Post Partum Support Society is based in the Lower Mainland but supports parents throughout British Columbia by offering:
1.Telephone support: experienced postpartum counsellors offer telephone support, information and referrals five days a week. The toll free number is: 1-855-255-7999.
2. Information in print: information packages are available to individuals and professionals at no cost. There is also a Self-Help Guide published by the Society that is available for purchase.
Please note: women may seek support at any time from pregnancy until their child is 3 years old.
Get In Touch
Phone: 1-855-255-7999
Email: admin@postpartum.org
PRENATAL CLASSES
Prenatal classes are taught by childbirth educators and covers topics important to you during your pregnancy such as nutrition, lifestyle factors, community support and your hopes for your pregnancy and birth. You may want information about getting ready for your baby’s arrival including what to expect when feeding and caring for your new baby.
As classes can fill up quickly, it is important to register as soon as you can, even if you are early on in your pregnancy.
Registration is done through the Right From the Start program and can be completed online. If you would like to speak to someone about the program, please contact Public Health Nursing.
Get In Touch
Contact: Public Health Nursing
Phone: 250-331-8520
Email: rfts@islandhealth.ca
Location: Comox Valley Health Unit, 961 England Avenue, Courtenay (map)
Pregnant in the Comox valley
The Comox Valley Division of Family Practise oversees this community specific resource tool for expectant parents in the Comox Valley. The website offers information about local supports and services for pregnancy and postpartum, including resources for:
Pregnancy: care provider options, prenatal education, diet and nutrition information.
Labour and Delivery: birth planning, giving birth at CVH, home birth options.
Loss: understanding and coping with miscarriage, bereavement supports.
Bringing Home Baby: breast feeding support, postpartum anxiety and depression support, childcare resources.
Get In Touch
website: pregnantinthecomoxvalley.ca
YOUNG PARENT PROGRAM
The young parent program supports education, childcare, social and health needs of expectant and parenting students in the Comox Valley.
This program is accessible to all families including those completing high school or college education, employed and/or families needing assistance through the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Get In Touch
Contact: Christine
Phone: 250-338-8445
Email: ypp@tntls.com
Location: Today n’ Tomorrow Learning Society, 4830 Headquarters Road (next to Vanier Secondary), Courtenay (map)
Island Health Baby Bed Program
The Baby Bed Program through Island Health is a FREE resource for families, giving access to a certified safe sleep surface for an infant (baby bed), and providing safe sleep information.
Beds are available to pregnant people in their third trimester, or to families with a new baby up to two months old, and can be picked up local Island Health Units. Access to baby beds also includes a meeting with a Public Health Nurse to review safe sleep information.
Get In Touch
Contact: Public Health
Phone: 250-331-8520
Location: Comox Valley Public Health Unit, 961 England Ave, Courtenay BC, V9N2N7 map