Community

In the first days, weeks postpartum we could all use a little help. Remember it is ok to ask for help. Ask partners, family members and friends to help with food, shopping and conversation. If you belong to a church or community group often times they will organize to bring meals for the first few weeks after baby is born. If you have other children organize for them to visit friends and family and if necessary hire a babysitter to come and support you while you get to know your new little one. We are all different and our needs are different - find your voice, and speak up if you are feeling overwhelmed or in need of support. In this resource page we will list some family counsellors that you can access when you feel that you need to speak with an expert.

Postnatal yoga classes are recommended 6 weeks after baby as long as there are no lingering side effects. Usually, your primary health care provider will let you know when it is ok to return to exercise.

We have a pre/postnatal yoga group on Facebook where families share information and questions about pregnancy, postanatal recovery, baby-care, sleep, depression and other self-care issues. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1647932821958377

healing

While having a baby is a natural process it is one of life’s most physically, mentally and spiritually challenging times that we will ever go through. Remember, for some of us, it takes time to heal. It takes a conscious effort to heal and transition into motherhood, to become a family in a healthy, happy, spiritually satisfying community.
1st steps include rest, warm water, healing herbs and sacred medicines such as sage, cedar, lavender and other medicinals that can help with mood, pain and general comfort.

Self-Care

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Navigating the postpartum period can be challenging, and it's great that you're looking for resources! Here's a list of postnatal resources available in Cambridge, Ontario, and the immediate surrounding areas, covering various aspects of support:

I. Public Health & Community Programs:

  • Region of Waterloo Public Health - Parenting Support: This is a comprehensive hub for many essential postnatal services.

    • Public Health Family Nursing: Nurses are available at Regional Welcome Spaces (including Cambridge) to answer questions on postpartum health, infant feeding, and child development (ages 0-6). This is a walk-in service.

    • Healthy Babies Healthy Children: A free, voluntary program for pregnant individuals and families with young children up to school age. Eligible families may receive home visits from a Public Health Nurse and Family Visitor for support on healthy pregnancy, connecting with baby, parenting, feeding, and self-care. You can call 519-575-4400 for a referral or fill out their online referral form.

    • Public Health Baby Feeding Clinics: Offer one-on-one breastfeeding support with a Public Health Nurse. Book online or call 519-575-4400.

    • Breastfeeding Buddies: A volunteer-driven program matching parents with trained volunteers who have personal breastfeeding experience. They offer prenatal workshops, one-on-one phone support, and community drop-ins. Call 519-772-1016 for Cambridge classes.

    • EarlyON Child and Family Centres: Offer programs and services for families with young children, including "Preparing for Parenthood." These centres are great for connecting with other parents and accessing various resources.

    • Parenting Advice and Support: You can speak to a public health nurse for parenting advice by calling 519-575-4400 on weekdays.

    • Mental Health Resources: They also list resources like Here 24/7 and Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health.

    • Website: https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/parenting-support.aspx

II. Lactation & Infant Feeding Support:

  • Telehealth Ontario (Health811): For 24/7 breastfeeding support by registered nurses and lactation experts, call 1-866-797-0000 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007).

  • Cambridge Paediatric and Breastfeeding Clinic: Offers in-person lactation consultant services. A referral from your doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife may be required.

    • Address: 200 Franklin Blvd, Cambridge

    • Phone: 519-620-3600

  • Two Rivers Family Health Team - Newborn Support Program: Provides a comprehensive prenatal breastfeeding assessment, a post-discharge clinic visit, and ongoing support with a Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

  • Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) - Infant Feeding Support: CMH has specially trained nurses and lactation specialists available for in-hospital support. They also collaborate with Breastfeeding Buddies for additional support.

  • La Leche League Waterloo & Kitchener: Offers group meetings and telephone help for mother-to-mother breastfeeding support, led by accredited leaders.

    • Check their website for meeting times and locations (Waterloo & Kitchener are immediate areas).

    • Website: https://www.lllc.ca/ (search for local groups)

III. Mental Health & Well-being:

  • Here 24/7: Your front door to addictions, mental health, and crisis services provided by 12 agencies across Waterloo Wellington. Available 24/7.

  • Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health (formerly Carizon): Offers counselling support, including programs and services for pregnancy, parenting, and families. They have individual, family, and group counselling options.

  • Family Counselling Centre of Cambridge & North Dumfries (FCC): Provides professional and confidential counselling services.

  • Postpartum Support International (PSI) - PSI-CANADA: A leading non-profit dedicated to helping those affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). They offer free, virtual online support groups for various topics (e.g., general postpartum support, OCD, rage, birth trauma, NICU parents, etc.).

  • Cambridge Memorial Hospital - Mental Health Services: Offers various mental health services, including a Psychiatric Assessment and Admission Nurse (PAAN) in the ED, an Adult Inpatient Mental Health Unit, and a Mental Health Day Hospital.

  • Marillac Place: A resource for pregnant or parenting mothers (with a child up to two years old) experiencing homelessness. They also provide a list of community resources in Waterloo Region.

IV. Doula Services (Postpartum):

  • Heavenly Hands Doula Service: Offers professional and experienced postpartum doula services for families in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and surrounding areas. Services include emotional, physical, and educational support, breastfeeding assistance, newborn care instruction, light housekeeping, meal prep, and more.

  • Fern & Nettle Doula: Provides compassionate doula support from preconception to postpartum in Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Guelph. Offers both in-person and virtual postpartum support.

  • Mads Birth Work: Offers doula and postpartum services in Cambridge.

  • Laura Dyet: Certified Birth Doula, Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher, and Pre & Postnatal Fitness specialist supporting families through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond in Guelph, Cambridge, and KW.

V. Other General Resources:

  • Grandview Medical Centre - Postnatal Resources: Provides a list of various postnatal resources, including links to Public Health Ontario, Born Ontario (for postpartum support), and information on feeding and immunizations.

Remember to reach out directly to these organizations for the most up-to-date information on their services, eligibility, and how to access their support.