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Pregnancy and Postpartum Programs and Support

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Learn how halton Region Public Health promotes healthy pregnancies and postpartum health through its programs and services. 

How Halton Region Public Health supports physician offices

Halton Region Public Health promotes healthy pregnancies and postpartum health through:

Pregnancy and postpartum education and support for all families

Prenatal education is crucial in preparing all expecting parents for the journey ahead. Halton’s prenatal and postnatal education programs are available at no cost to all your patients and there are no eligibility criteria.

Halton Online Prenatal Classes

Halton Online Prenatal Classes offer up-to-date information and interactive features. Patients can register for Prenatal Classes online or by calling 311.

  • Available in 8 languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic.
  • Five self-directed online classes include: understanding pregnancy, understanding birth, understanding natural childbirth techniques, understanding breastfeeding, and understanding your newborn.
  • Canadian Nutrition Content (provided by Ontario dieticians).
  • Available at any time during pregnancy, or even after birth.
  • Self-paced learning and continuous access for a year after registration.
  • Accessibility features for patient’s unique needs.

To request promotional postcards, tear-offs or posters for your office for your prenatal patients, please email prenatal@halton.ca.

HaltonParents

HaltonParents uses reliable, evidence-based information to help parents get the answers they need about breastfeeding, pregnancy, caring for a newborn, mental health supports, and more!

Encourage your patients to call 311 to speak with a public health nurse today.

Patient resources

Prenatal breastfeeding supports for all families

Parents who receive prenatal education about breastfeeding have higher rates of breastfeeding initiation, breastfeed for longer, and are more likely to exclusively breastfeed their babies.

Virtual Prenatal Breastfeeding Class

The Virtual Prenatal Breastfeeding Class is a free 1.5-hour live class where patients learn how to get breastfeeding off to a good start, find breastfeeding supports and get their questions answered by a public health nurse. Open to pregnant parents and their partner/support person(s). This class is ideally taken after 28 weeks of pregnancy and before the baby is born. Check the Virtual Prenatal Breastfeeding Class event calendar.

Parent-to-Parent Breastfeeding Phone Support

The Breastfeeding Connection is a volunteer program that provides free parent-to-parent telephone support for breastfeeding families. Encourage families to register prenatally for the Breastfeeding Connection program to connect with their volunteer before their baby is born.

Prenatal breastfeeding resources for healthcare providers

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) Protocols (external link) offer evidence-based guidelines for the care of breastfeeding families:

 ABM also offers parent handouts (external link), in multiple languages, on many important topics. Please note that the ABM protocols do not contain information on Canadian safety regulations. Please refer to Safe Sleep for Your Baby - Canada.ca (external link).

Additional prenatal breastfeeding supports and resources

Pregnancy and postpartum programs for families needing extra support

For your prenatal families experiencing challenges associated with social determinants of health such as low income, new to Canada, lack of social support, or food insecurity or those experiencing mental health problems that may impact pregnancy or parenting.

Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program (home visiting program)

Healthy Babies Healthy Children can help support your practice by offering eligible families with a free, evidence-based home visiting program. Refer patients who:

  • Have concerns about parenting, parent-child relationship or child health/development
  • Have a history of or are experiencing physical and/or mental health problems that may impact pregnancy or parenting
  • Are experiencing challenges, such as low income, lack of social support or food insecurity

Families who are experiencing challenges are more likely to accept a home visit when suggested by a trusted professional. To make a referral (with parental consent) you can call 311 or fill out a coordinated referral form (PDF file) and fax it to 905-825-8821. You can also access the coordinated referral form through OntarioMD (external link) or encourage patients to self-refer by calling 311. Patients do not require an OHIP card to receive this service.

Halton Prenatal Nutrition Program (weekly, in-person group)

The Halton Prenatal Nutrition Program is a free, weekly program providing extra support to parents during pregnancy and with the adjustment to parenting after baby is born until around 6 months postpartum. The program is led by a public health nurse and dietician. It provides:

  • transportation and interpreter as required
  • weekly topics to learn about healthy pregnancy and parenting
  • help with access to community supports to reduce barriers to health equity
  • a healthy meal each week, and help accessing healthy foods and vitamins
  • a welcoming environment for equity-deserving families
  • social connection with other parents in their community
  • promotion and support for breastfeeding.
  • help building parent confidence
  • help with access to community supports to reduce barriers to health equity

Perinatal mental health resources and supports

Mental health and mental illness are among the most common complications in pregnancy. Better Outcomes Registry Network showed that the percentage of women who gave birth in Halton reporting one or more mental health concerns during pregnancy has increased during the past 10 years (2013-23), including a particular increase seen in rates of anxiety. As a health care provider, you play a critical role in identifying, diagnosing, and supporting treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

Screening tools and care pathways

Supports for patients experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders

Crisis help lines

Supports/counselling for patients with mental health concerns

Paid counselling services for patients with mental health concerns

Thrive Counselling (external link)
Cost to patient: sliding scale based on income and family size (no fees for woman abuse services); Fee assistance available for those who qualify (as in financial need)

Supports for patients with substance concerns

More resources for health care providers

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