WHAT'S NEW

Links:

• Canadian Doulas Association www.canadiandoulas.com Resources for Birth Professionals.
  
• Canadian Institute of Child Health www.cich.ca Dedicated to promoting and protecting the health, well-being and rights of all children and youth through monitoring, education and advocacy.
  
• National Association of Paedeatricians www.cps.ca committed to working together and with others to advance the health of children and youth by promoting excellence in health care, advocacy, education, research and support of its membership.
  
• Canadian Women’s Health Network www.cwhn.ca Sharing information, resources and strategies, and building links to improve women's health.
  
• Health Canada www.hc-sc.gc.ca information for parents and birth professionals.
  
• Health Canada’s Family-Centred Maternity and Newborn Care: National Guidelines 4th Edition www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dca-dea/prenatal/fcmc1_e.html a valuable publication referred to often by birth professionals. These guidelines were developed as a result of a collaborative process involving health care providers and consumers.
  
• Infant Feeding Action Coalition (INFACT) Canada www.infactcanada.ca a non-profit, non-governmental organization, works to promote optimal infant and maternal health through the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding.
  
• Dr. Jack Newman Articles www.breastfeedingonline.com Breastfeedingonline.com hopes to help empower women to choose to breastfeed and to educate society at large about the importance and benefits of breastfeeding. Dr. Jack Newman is known as the foremost expert on breastfeeding in Canada, and you will find all of his excellent articles on breastfeeding basics and comprehensive breastfeeding information here.
  
• Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Canada www.sogc.medical.org Founded in Toronto in 1944, SOGC is North America's longest-standing national organization devoted to the specialty of obstetrics and gynaecology. As a voluntary, non-profit scientific organization, it is dedicated to the promotion of optimal reproductive health care for Canadian women. As such, the Society provides medical education and guidelines to health professionals, and actively promotes better health outcomes through public education initiatives.
  
• International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) www.ican-online.org information on cesareans, VBAC’s, and a list of local chapters
  
• www.vbac.com This website provides childbearing women and birth professionals access to research-based information, resources, continuing education and support for VBAC.
  
• World Health Organization (WHO) www.who.int/reproductive-health/MNBH/index.htm The World Health Organization initiatives, programs and publications.
  
• Association of Ontario Midwives www.aom.on.ca information about midwifery for the general public and clinical practice guidelines.

Products:

Here is a sampling of some of our official school merchandise.
See our full selection at www.cafepress.com/opschool

Products for Birth Professionals:

• Childbirth Support Specialist Client Intake Kit Here is a set of reproducible client intake sheets. Includes everything you need to accept a new client into your practice. $15.00
  
• Postpartum Support Specialist Client Intake Kit $15.00
  
• Labour and Birth Rehearsal Cards A set of various situations, printed on individual cards, for you to role-play with your clients, to encourage them to think about what they would do should that situation be presented to them during their upcoming labour or birth. Ring-bound. $15.00
  
• Affirmation Cards This is a set of over 20 affirmations for expectant/birthing mothers, individually printed on 4” x 6” cards. Suitable for placing around the labour room, at home, or for use during prenatal class. Makes a nice gift. $10.00
  
• Childbirth Educator Deck of Games This is a set of games and activities for use with your prenatal classes or with your doula clients. Includes ideas for icebreakers, needs assessments, and teaching all subjects. Printed on 4” x 6” cards. $15.00
  
• Domino Theory of Interventions Activity This kit will assist the doula or CBE in teaching the Domino Theory of Interventions. Also called the Cascade of Interventions, it is crucial to demonstrate to expectant parents how, more often than not, when a woman has one intervention, it creates the need for another, and another, until he birth becomes a technologic event. Included are a set of cards with all interventions printed on them, and teaching notes, a lesson plan for your class. All interventions are listed and described for your convenience. $10.00
  
• Labour Phases Activity This set includes several cards. On each card there is a ‘symptom’ of labour. If you are playing with a group, you can pass the cards around, have each person read their symptom out loud, then everyone try to guess what phased of labour the mom would be in. Or, you can hold up each card, and have any person in the group guess out loud what phase it is (fathers get very competitive if you play this way!) There is even an answer sheet for you. However you decide to play, this is a wonderful re-enforcement for clients to learn about what might happen in labour and when. You can take it a step further and have dads think about how they can help for each ‘symptom’. $10.00
  
• Cesarean Teaching Model This is a valuable visual aid for use when discussing the physiologic aspect of cesarean sections. It is made out of different coloured foam layers, each one showing the layers involved in a c-section. The ‘incision’ is very authentic-looking, and will be useful for prenatal classes, to show what needs to happen for the baby to be born, or for the doula to keep in her birth bag, in case a c-section becomes necessary during labour, to help your client process the physiologic aspect. $20.00
  
• Cervix Model This set includes one closed cervix model, one fully dilated cervix model, and a teaching tips card. Useful in prenatal class to show what needs to happen to birth the baby. And excellent tool for those kinaesthetic learners. $10.00
  
• Labour and Birth Reference Cards A large, comprehensive set of 4” x 6” ring-bound cards to fit into your birth bag for a quick, handy reference. Breathing, visualizations, vocalizations, relaxation, positions (with illustrations) and several comfort tools are listed. $25.00
  
• Herbal Relief Perinatal Tea Bags After the birth, a mother often has discomfort or needs to heal her perineaum. Steep this tea bag and use the water in your bath, reserve the used tea bag and refrigerate in a plastic baggie. Apply the tea bag to your perineaum and wear it inside your pad. Discard after use. Heavenly relief! Contains a blend of essential oils and herbs. 5 for $12.00
• Bath Salts and Misters Several aromatherapy blends for various uses.

Available formulas include:

o Labour Mister or Tub Soak – for use during labour
o Blooming Goddess Bath Powder – soothing, antibacterial soak that relieves itchy skin
o Fizzy Foot Soak – cooling and soothing for use in pregnancy and labour
o Instant Energy Mister – perfect for busy moms – spritz on for an instant perk
o Colds & Flu Tub Soak – powerful anti-viral formula that relieves congestion
o Colds & Flu Anti-viral Mister – spritz around your home or workplace
o PMS/Period Tub Soak – formulated to relieve PMS/ period symptoms
o Headache Relief Tub Soak – sink into relief in the tub
o Headache Relief Mister – mist air or face lightly for instant relief
o Morning Sickness Mister or Tub Soak – to combat morning sickness or nausea
o Sweet Baby Dreams Diaper Mister – a gentler option to baby wipes
o Mint Oil Analgesic Tub Soak – to soothe your aches and pains
o Leg Cramp Tub Soak – for those bothered by troublesome leg cramps. Great for kids.
o Blooming Roses Anti-Depressant Natural Room Spray OR Tub Soak – Alleviates depression
o Romance Natural Room Spray OR Tub Soak – Pamper yourself for a special night
o Nipple Mister – use freely on itchy or sore nipples during pregnancy or nursing
o Nursing Mother’s Tub Soak – helps with milk production while soothing mom
o Bug Stop Spray – repels insects naturally. Excellent for children
o Lavender Hair Reviving Mister – weightlessly restyles your hair between shampoos
o Postpartum Mister – use immediately after the birth to uplift and bring calm and peace
o Postpartum Tub Soak – antibacterial and healing. Alleviates depression

Bath Salts - $10.00
Misters - $15.00 small or $25.00 large

 

OPS Teachers Program

Would you like to teach programs in your area for OPS? OPS is looking for dedicated individuals who want to teach our programs in various regions throughout Canada and the US. Teachers are independently contracted and complete a thorough training program. Contact kathy@ontarioperinatal.com for information.

Testimonials

Here’s what people are saying about our programs and services:

“…I am enjoying your programs thoroughly!”

“…Great, passionate instructor, one to be proud of. I learned a lot. She is very willing to listen/help/assist. Enforcing of empowerment!”

“…Thank you Kathy for the support you’ve offered and the opportunity to be a teacher for OPS, supporting me 100% and believing in me.”

“…You are a wonderful mentor, inspiring and passionate instructor and above all…a great friend!”

“…Thank you so much for giving of yourself so that women everywhere can experience ‘their’ births! I’m honoured to join this profession.”

“…This has been a great weekend. Thanks so much for your knowledge and kind words of wisdom.”

“…Thank you for helping me to know that this is my passion! I can’t wait to continue my journey!”

“…Thank you for offering your time, love and knowledge. This was the most amazing weekend!”

“…With Kathy’s help, I was able to complete my natural birthing plan. I found her to be an informed professional. She was prepared, understanding, and caring. She surpassed my expectations.”

“…We wanted to say thanks for a great prenatal class! We both feel very confident about our pregnancy and our upcoming birth experience, thanks to you!”