Best Links Prenatal and Labour

All categories will have some overlap with each other. Links in the "Prenatal and Labour" section include sites that address issues related to and that impact on pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and birth and are categorized into the following 9 sub-categories.

Alcohol and Pregnancy

Alcohol Free Pregnancy
http://www.alcoholfreepregnancy.ca
The Best Start Resource Centre launched this website as part of a provincial campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The bilingual site also contains information for practitioners, including how to use campaign materials.

Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
http://www.ccsa.ca/ccsa/
The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) is a not-for-profit organization supported by the Federal Government through its Canada Drug Strategy. The CCSA is a portal of information and contains current research findings and policy directives that address substance use and abuse issues.

FAS World
http://www.fasworld.com/
An international alliance of parents and professionals concerned about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

FASAT
http://www.fasat.ca/
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Training is a non-profit organization that works to develop efficient and effective community responses for children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effects.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnih-spni/famil/preg-gros/intro_e.html
This page on the Health Canada website provides information on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE) as it affects First Nations and Inuit communities and some of the strategies that are being used to deal with these conditions.

Motherisk
http://www.motherisk.org/
Motherisk provides authoritative information and guidance to pregnant or lactating patients and their health care providers regarding the risks associated with drug, chemical, infection, disease and radiation exposure(s) during pregnancy.

Doula's and Midwifery

Canadian Women's Health Network - What is Midwifery?
http://www.cwhn.ca/resources/faq/midwifery.html
A page on the Canadian Women's Health Network website that provides FAQs on midwives and doulas.

Ontario College of Midwives
http://www.cmo.on.ca/
The Ontario College of Midwives regulates the profession of midwifery in accordance with the provincial Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. The site offers information about midwifery, how to find and/or complain about a midwife and provides links to local and professional midwifery associations.

Disabilities

Canadian Paraplegic Association
http://www.canparaplegic.org/national/level2.tpl?var1=story&var2=12.00
Information from the Canadian Paraplegic Association about some of the common problems that women with spinal cord injuries face during pregnancy.

DAWN Ontario (DisAbled Women's Network Ontario)
http://dawn.thot.net/index.html
DAWN Ontario is a progressive, volunteer-driven, feminist organization promoting social justice, human rights and the advancement of equality rights for women with disabilities through education, research, advocacy, coalition-building, resource development and information technology.

Disability Pregnancy & Parenthood international (DPPi)
http://www.dppi.org.uk/nationalcentre.html
The National Centre for Disabled Parents presents this information resource for women with disabilities who are or wish to become pregnant.

Health Before Pregnancy

Folic Acid Alliance Ontario
http://www.folicacid.ca/
A provincial alliance of health-related organizations committed to reducing the incidence of neural tube defects by promoting the consumption of folic acid.

Health Before Pregnancy
http://www.healthbeforepregnancy.ca
The Best Start Resource Centre launched this website as part of a provincial campaign that sought to raise awareness of the importance of planning to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Directed at parents considering having a baby, the bilingual website provides information and resources of commonly raised questions and concerns of expectant and new parents.

Health Professionals' Guide to Preconception Care - Foresight, UK
http://www.foresight-preconception.org.uk/
Foresight is a United Kingdom initiative that conducts public education and awareness programs to promote the importance of good health and nutritional status in both parents before conceiving a baby. The website provides links to current research, publications, and issues of interest to families trying to conceive.

March of Dimes Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Centre
http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/173.asp
Information for couples on planning a pregnancy and preparing for parenthood, including important information about prenatal nutrition.

Low Birth Weight Awareness

Low Birth Weight Fact Sheet
http://www.cfc-efc.ca/docs/cich/00000011.htm
A fact sheet by the Canadian Child Care Federation providing a basic overview of the issues of low birth weight. Dated 1996.

Ottawa Coalition for the Prevention of Low Birth Weight
http://www.successby6ottawa.ca/lbwfpn/english/
This Ottawa based group is a coalition of agencies, health care providers, and organizations whose goal is to promote healthy births through awareness of the impact of low birth weight on babies, their families and communities. The website provides information, resources, publications and referrals for further information.

Maternal and Newborn Health

The Family-Centred Maternal and Newborn Care National Guidelines
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dca-dea/prenatal/fcmc1_e.html
Developed by a coalition of health care providers and professional groups, the National Guidelines share best practices in maternal and newborn care. Issues covered include preconception, pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum issues and beyond.

Mother and Child Glossary of Health on the Net Foundation
http://www.hon.ch/Dossier/MotherChild/
A page on the Health on the Net Foundation devoted to defining and explaining terminology used in maternal and newborn health. Useful for researchers and community-based practitioners.

Mothers in Motion, Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport
http://www.caaws.ca/mothersinmotion/home_e.html
"A website for women who want to lead healthier lifestyles and mentor their children to do the same". The website offers helpful tips and advice for mothers, and those working with them, on how to incorporate healthy activity into the daily routine, including information on nutrition.

Ontario Newborn Screening Program
http://www.newbornscreening.on.ca/bins/index.asp
The Ontario Newborn Screening program currently screens every baby born in Ontario for at least 27 diseases, with more planned for the future, to ensure that every baby has the best start in life. The website includes information for health care providers, parents, and the public.

Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://www.sogc.org
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) promotes optimal women's health through leadership, collaboration, education, research and advocacy in the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology. The website provides publications, information sheets, lists activities and events and delivers online courses for professionals and also provides a page of information for the general public.

World Health Organization, Department of Reproductive Health and Research
http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/MNBH/index.htm
The WHO website provides current research, statistics and information about the state of reproductive, maternal and newborn health around the world. The website includes current studies, guidelines and other publications.

Multiple Births

Multiple Births / Naissances multiples Canada
http://www.multiplebirthscanada.org/english/index.php
Multiple Births / Naissances multiples Canada is a cross- Canada initiative that strives to improve the quality of life for multiple-birth individuals and their families. The website includes links to an extensive network of local chapters, health care professionals and organizations, statistics, tips and a link to an electronic newsletter.

Toronto Parents of Multiple Births Association
http://www.tpomba.org/
The Toronto Parents of Multiple Births Association has been providing support and information to the multiple birth community for over 25 years. The website is directed at parents and families and provides information, resources, and referrals for further support.

Nutrition

Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dca-dea/programs-mes/cpnp_main_e.html
The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) is a federal initiative that supports the development or enhancement of programs for vulnerable pregnant women. Through a community development approach, the CPNP aims to reduce the incidence of unhealthy birth weights, improve the health of mother and baby and encourages breastfeeding. The website provides related publications and a directory of all CPNP sites across the country.

Motherisk Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy Hotline
http://www.motherisk.org/sickness/index.php3
Information about several initiatives by Motherisk about nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, including links to an online Forum to ask qualified staff questions.

Smoking

Pregnancy, More Facts: Pre- and Post-natal Smoking Issues
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/tobac-tabac/body-corps/preg-gros/natal-nataux_e.html
This page on the Health Canada website provides information for expectant mothers on the issues related to smoking in pregnancy and answers questions about impact on the unborn, newborn and young children.

Pregnets
http://www.pregnets.org/
Pregnets mission is to improve the health of mothers, fetuses, babies and children and seeks to eliminate smoking in pregnant and postpartum women by increasing the capacity to quit and stay smoke-free using a woman centred model of care. Information is available for health care practitioners as well as for the general public.

Violence

Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children
http://www.crvawc.ca/
A collaboration of the University of Western Ontario, the London Coordinating Committee to End Woman Abuse and Fanshawe College, this research centre promotes the development of community-centred, action research on violence against women and children. The Centre's role is to facilitate the cooperation of individuals, groups and institutions representing the diversity of the community to pursue research questions and training opportunities to understand and prevent abuse.

Education Wife Assault
http://www.womanabuseprevention.com/
The mission of Education Wife Assault is to inform and educate the community about wife assault and woman abuse in order to decrease the incidence of physical, psychological, emotional and sexual violence against women and the effect that woman abuse has on children. The website provides sections for professionals as well as for the general public.

Health Canada, Healthy Living: Violence and Abuse
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/violence/index_e.html
This page, directed to the general public, is from the Health Canada website and provides information on the issues of abuse, violence and maltreatment.

National Clearinghouse on Family Violence
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/
As part of the Family Violence Prevention Initiative, the Public Health Agency of Canada operates the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence, which provides resources and services for practitioners and the general public in both official languages.

Ontario Women's Directorate, Government of Ontario
http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/owd/index.html
The Ontario Women's Directorate (OWD) has two key areas of activity: women's economic independence and preventing violence against women. The website offers information and resources on several related topics, including Woman Abuse Prevention Month, Sexual Assault Prevention Month and other key activities and events.

Shelternet
http://www.shelternet.ca/splashPage.htm
Shelternet is a website that provides contact information for shelters across Canada and offers supportive and practical advice for women living with violence.

General

AboutKidsHealth
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Pregnancy

Website from the Obstetrics/Gynecology and AboutKidsHealth Teams from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. The materials are organized to follow the natural course of pregnancy and baby development, from preconception, through pregnancy and birth, until the baby’s first birthday. The material in this Resource Centre has been written in collaboration with obstetricians, embryologists, paediatricians, psychologists, dietitians, lactation consultants, and nurse practitioners affiliated with The Hospital for Sick Children.

Planned Parenthood of Canada
http://www.ppfc.ca
Planned Parenthood is a network of organizations around the world. Planned Parenthood advocates for advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights through the lifespan. The website provides practical, evidence-based research and information for adolescents and young adults.