Local resources for pregnancy and postpartum support.
Books
- "The Birth Partner: A complete guide to childbirth for Dads, Partners, Doulas and other labour companions" by Penny Simkin
- "Doula's Guide to Empowering Your Birth" by Lindsay Bliss
- "Transformed by Birth" by Britta Bushnell
- "The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother" by Heng Ou
- "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler
- "Real Food for Pregnancy: the science and wisdom of optimal prenatal nutrition" by Lily Nichols
Podcasts
- Evidence Based Birth Podcast - evidence based information about pregnancy, birth and postpartum related topics.
- Birth Kweens Podcast - discontinued but very funny podcast with good information; lovely birth stories.
- the birthwell podcast - hosted by local (to Kitchener) pelvic floor physiotherapists, this podcast talks about all things pregnancy, birth and postpartum, with a focus on pelvic floor health.
Mental health support
- Together: For Perinatal Mental Health, Waterloo: a non-profit organization providing education, advocacy and peer - and therapist-led mental health support
- Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario: online mental health support; individual and group settings
- Whole Family Psychotherapy, Waterloo: individual and group therapy for all parents, virtual and in-person. Group therapy for parents with ADHD.
- Firefly Counselling, Kitchener: prenatal and postpartum counselling.
- Rooted Thistle Counselling, Kitchener: virtual and in-person therapy for parents and beyond.
- Kasi Shan Therapy, Kitchener: pregnancy and postpartum mental health support, trauma therapy.
- Samantha Martin Counselling, Guelph: perinatal mental health support.
- Mind Online: moms and dads therapy, couples therapy, birth advocacy education.
- Stork Secrets, SHORE Centre, Kitchener: peer support program for expecting and new parents, virtual and in-person; Somali and Arabic groups available.
Other local services
- Region of Waterloo free online prenatal education
- Encompass Health and Wellness, Kitchener: pelvic floor physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic care, new parents circle, and more.
- The WOMB, Guelph: pelvic physiotherapy, chiropractic care, naturopathic medicine, lactation and feeding support, and more.
- Recharge and Play Wellness Cafe, Waterloo: indoor playground, massage therapy, occupational therapy, office spaces for rent, and more.
- Better Bedtime: baby and adult sleep consulting, Snoo Cot rental.
- EarlyON Child and Family Centre, Waterloo Region.
- CPSAC: Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada.
- Erin Memering Pediatric Physiotherapy, Waterloo.
- The Village Physio, Guelph and Elora: pelvic floor physiotherapy.
- Guelph Prenatal Massage, Guelph and Elora: prenatal massage, acupuncture, osteopathy and lactation support.
- Region of Waterloo Public Health Baby Feeding Clinics: free feeding support and education in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo.
- Cecily Heslett, Fergus and Elora: IBCLC certified lactation consultant.
- Ten Little Toes, Waterloo: IBCLC certified lactation consultant.
Movement
- The Branches Yoga, Kitchener: prenatal, postpartum and family yoga, birth preparation workshops, and more.
- Encompass Health and Wellness, Kitchener: yoga, pilates and pre-/postnatal fitness.
- Oh Baby Fitness, Cambridge: pregnancy and postpartum fitness classes, Strollerfit classes.
- The WOMB, Guelph: prenatal and postpartum yoga, pilates+physiotherapy classes.