+   GENERAL INFORMATION

OMama is a website and a mobile app that connects women and families to trusted, evidence-informed healthy pregnancy, birth and early parenting information for Ontario.  We highly recommend this resource as it is relevant to Ontario, discusses the midwife stream of maternity and infant care, and recommends trusted resources for all stages of pregnancy and early postpartum.
The Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM) is the advocating group for midwives working in Ontario and they offer many relevant and evidence-based resources for midwifery clients.
The College of Midwives of Ontario (CMO) is the regulating body for midwives licensed to practice in Ontario, and provides standards of practice, policies, by-laws and other guiding documents for midwives, made available to the public. This is also where complaints and reports can be filed.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) is the national medical society that represents care-providers who provide obstetric and gynaecological care in Canada, whose goal is to promote excellence in practice and to advance the health of women through leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and education.

+   PREGNANCY

Abuse:
Ontario Prenatal Education Ontario resource that discusses abuse and supplies resources for leaving abusive relationships and seeking help
Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre A local shelter for women and their children
Alcohol:
Ontario Prenatal Education Ontario resource outlining the dangers of drinking alcohol in pregnancy, as well as supplying resources to help women and their families quit
Anemia:
Iron Deficiency Anemia is one of the most common pregnancy disorders, but can lead to several complications including preterm labour. This document from the Association of Ontario Midwives discusses anemia, it’s complications and treatment. If you require iron supplementation in pregnancy or postpartum, your Midwife will ask you to read this document to ensure you are taking the supplementation properly.
Environmental and Chemical Safety:
Ontario Prenatal Education Ontario resource with information on reducing risk in pregnancy by avoiding certain chemicals and pollutants
Exercise:
Ontario Prenatal Education Ontario resource discussing the benefits of living active in pregnancy
National Institute for Fitness and Sport Exercise in pregnancy is really important, learn about safety guidelines and what to expect in each trimester
Fit Pregnancy and Baby Prenatal Workouts
Genetic Screening:

Prenatal Screening Ontario Ontario offers various genetic screening options that your midwife can order at your initial visit if desired.
Gestational Diabetes:
Diabetes Canada Formerly The Canadian Diabetes Association, this is a charity that builds awareness around Diabetes. This resource discussed Diabetes in pregnancy (Gestational Diabetes Mellitus) and how it is managed.
Group B Strep:
SOGC Ontario resource discussing GBS, screening and treatment.
Mount Sinai Hospital Frequently Asked Questions about GBS answered by a Family Practice Physician at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.
Medications and Drugs:
Babycentre, a company of Johnson & Johnson, is a resource for all things parenting and this website lists many pregnancy complaints with low-risk medications you can buy over-the-counter.
Ontario Prenatal Education Ontario resource discussing the safety of medications include prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products and recreational or street drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and others.
Mental Health:
Ontario Prenatal Education Your mental health is important and suffering from depression or anxiety, without seeking treatment, will negatively impact your baby. This Ontario resource discusses what good mental health looks like and how to seek help when you or your partner suspect you suffer from a mental health disorder.
Canadian Paediatric Society Resource on depression in pregnancy, the impacts on the baby, medical treatment and other helpful links.
Nausea and Vomiting:
Motherisk Morning sickness is often the first symptom of pregnancy, and can be mild to severe, sometimes requiring hospitalization. This resource discusses how to successfully survive morning sickness.
SOGC This patient handout gives helpful and safe tips to manage the common nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
Nutrition:
Canada’s Food Guide This guide can help you make healthy food choices and gives tips on portions, exercise and food label reading.
Ontario Prenatal Education Resource for health eating and weight gain in pregnancy.
Optimal Fetal Position:
Babycentre This resource discusses the importance of encouraging an “occiput anteriour” position in your baby, and how you can work to improve position if the baby is breech or posterior, before labour starts.
Physical Changes in Pregnancy:
Ontario Prenatal Education Ontario resource discussing comfort measures for typical changes to your body in pregnancy, trimester by trimester, with additional trusted websites.
Prenatal Classes:
Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit Offers free prenatal classes as well as a free online e-learning class
Mother Nurture Childbirth Support Services Private local prenatal classes
Smoking:
Ontario Prenatal Education Ontario website discussing the dangers of smoking while pregnant and resources to help you successfully reduce or quit.
Pregnets The ‘Prevention of Gestational and Neonatal Exposure to Tobacco Smoke’ is a network hosted by the Canadian ‘Center for Addictions and Mental Health’ designed to improve the health of moms and babies through education and support.
Vaccination in Pregnancy:
Government of Canada This resource discusses vaccinations before, during and after pregnancy, as well as the infant’s first vaccines.

+   LABOUR AND DELIVERY

Caesarean Birth:
Ontario Prenatal Education This Ontario resource discusses the indications for a C-section delivery, the complications, as well as what to expect for recovery.
Choice of Birthplace:
Association of Ontario Midwives Resource from the AOM with helpful pictograms, tailored specifically for either first time parents or those who have a previous child, designed to help you weigh your options for place of birth.
College of Midwives of Ontario Document outlining the facts about home birth in Ontario.
Youtube Video summarizing the research that supports the safety of home delivery with trained Ontario midwives for low-risk women.
Dad’s Labour Timeline:
Babycentre This resource gives dads or other support people tips on how to support the mom during every stage of labour.
Doula/Labour Support:
DONA Doulas of North America is an education and certifying body for practicing Doulas. This site explains the role of a doula, the benefits, and how to hire a local support person.
Ontario Prenatal Education This Ontario resources discusses the benefits of having a non-medical labour support person (i.e Doula) at your birth.
Interventions in Labour:
Ontario Prenatal Education This Ontario link discusses common assessments on you and your baby in labour, as well as interventions that could occur. Your midwife will go through these in detail as you approach your due date.
Labour Progress:
Ontario Prenatal Education This Ontario link discusses the three stages of labour, how to time contractions, and when to contact your midwife. Your midwife will go through this in detail as you approach your due date.
Pain Management in Labour:
Ontario Prenatal Education This Ontario link discusses the pharmaceutical options available in labour and links good resources including a video on epidural placement. Your midwife will go through these in detail as you approach your due date.
Ontario Prenatal Education This Ontario link outlines the various non-pharmaceutical pain relief methods in labour, such as TENS and hydrotherapy. Your midwife will go through these in detail as you approach your due date.
Postdates Pregnancy:
Association of Ontario Midwives Many women’s pregnancies will continue past their due date. This resource explains the managements of postdates pregnancies in the midwifery context.
Postpartum Depression:
Mood Disorders Association of Ontario This association offers free support and recovery programs to people across Ontario living with depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. This article discusses postpartum depression, treatment and available resources.
Opinion Piece This article discusses protective social structures seen in many cultures that reduce the risk of postpartum depression, often lacking in our North American society.
Preterm Labour:
Ontario Prenatal Education Ontario website discussing the risks as well as signs and symptoms of preterm labour.
Recovery After Birth:
Ontario Prenatal Education This Ontario resource discusses the many physical and emotional changes after delivery, whether vaginal or by Caesarean.
VBAC:
Association of Ontario Midwives Many women who have had 1 previously Ceasarean section will consider a vaginal delivery for their next birth. This document discusses the risks of VBAC compared to a repeat CS, as well as the various success rates.

+   INFANT CARE

Breastfeeding
Canadian Paediatric Society This resource outlines the recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, signs of successful breastfeeding, when to recognize problems, storing expressed milk, etc.
Breastfeeding Inc This resource was created by leading Lactation Consultants and provides information about breastfeeding from infancy to toddlerhood.
Ontario Prenatal Education This Ontario resource discusses the importance of breastfeeding, feeding cues, signs baby is getting adequate milk, as well as formula supplementation.
Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit Offers free lactation services to those in need.
Ontario Human Rights Commission Know your breastfeeding rights in public and in the workplace.
Car Seat Safety:
Canadian Paediatric Society This resource discusses the types of car seats, recommended length of use, and other travel safety tips.
Colic/Fussy Baby:
Canadian Paediatric Society This resource discusses new philosophies on normal infant crying, ways to cope, and when to seek help.
Happiest Baby on the Block A well-known parenting book outlining the 5 S’s of soothing babies that are tried, tested and true.
Circumcision:
Canadian Paediatric Society This resource outlines circumcision, risks and benefits of the procedure, and hygiene/care regardless of the decision you make.
Formula Feeding:
Beststart This Ontario resource discusses how to safely formula feed your infant.
Jaundice:
Canadian Paediatric Society This resource discusses normal and abnormal jaundice levels, testing and treatment.
Newborn Care:
Ontario Prenatal Education This resource discusses the medications offered to baby at birth, testing that is done after 24 hours of age, as well as normal care such as bathing, diapers, etc.
Normal Newborn Behaviour:
Association of Ontario Midwives This document discusses the newborns breathing, colour, temperature, feeding and diapers in the first few days, as well as listing reasons to page your midwife or call 911.
Vitamin D Supplementation:
Canadian Paediatric Society This resource discusses the recommendation for vitamin D supplementation in the breastfed baby.