Maternity Care Resources

Supports in Pregnancy

+ Babies Best Chance

Online resource from a trusted source to answer all your questions about pregnancy, labour, delivery, and having a new baby.

+ Genetic Screening

Watch this online video to understand if genetic screening is right for you.

+ NRGH Hospital Tour and Registration

  • Hospital pre-registration. After 24 weeks GA we’d recommend you pre-register at the hospital. Visit the admitting department (near Code Brew coffee shop) at the hospital to complete necessary forms.
  • Hospital tour is available at Meet the Doctor nights. You can also call the Maternity unit at 250-755-7630 ext 52021 and request a tour. Both options are only available when the unit is not too busy.
  • NRGH parking and bus information. Cheapest to pay for weekly pass if you know you’ll be staying more than 24 hours.

+ Prenatal Classes

Nanaimo

  • Island Baby Prenatal Education. Pamela Bain. Phone 250-739-3809, Facebook page “Island Baby Prenatal Education”.
  • Mid Island Lactation Consulting. Diane Maille. Website: www.midislandlactationconsulting.com, Phone 250-713-1346, Email: midislandlc@shaw.ca, Facebook page “Mid Island Lactation Consulting”
  • Journey of Birth. Sarah Segal. Website: www.journeyofbirth.ca
  • Tillicum Lelum. Free prenatal class. Welcomes all ethnicities. Phone 250-753-6578.
  • Navigating Pregnancy. Harbour City Doulas. Third Thursday of the month 7-8 pm at the Old City Midwives, 106-360 Selby St. By donation. Also hosted in Ladysmith third Wednesday of the month 7-8 pm at the Ladysmith Resource Centre, 630 2nd Ave.

Parksville

  • Parksville Family Place. Oceanside Public health. Contact 250-947-8242 to register. Parksville residents given preference. Free prenatal class.
  • Navigating Pregnancy. The Nurture Collective. 3rd Tuesday of each month. By donation. Website: www.thenurturecollective.ca

+ Doulas: pregnancy and birth support persons

+ Massage: prenatal and postpartum

  • Solace Centre. Website: solacecentre.ca, Phone 250-754-0887.
  • Kristen Cavey. Facebook “Birth to Blossom Doula and Massage”

+ Exercise

  • BeFit Mom. Online resource. Solutions to common pregnancy and postpartum discomforts like low back, round ligament pain, and pubic symphysis discomfort

+ Prenatal Yoga

+ Healthy Eating

  • See Babies Best Chance (pages 36-42)
  • Ways to save time to eat healthy with a newborn:
    • Grocery delivery to your house in Nanaimo (Thrifty foods, Quality foods)
    • Grocery pick-up in Nanaimo (Superstore)
    • Meal delivery services in Nanaimo (Real Meals Nanaimo)

+ Other

  • Nanaimo Mom’s Swap and Shop: Affordable second hand baby gear, clothing, toys, etc.
  • Vancouver Island Car Seat Technicians. Provides advice on car seats, Nanaimo car seat clinics, and car seat checks. Website: vicarseattechs.com, Facebook “Vancouver Island Car Seat Technicians”

After Your Baby is Born

+ Post partum care: what to expect after discharge from hospital

  • Hospital discharge form. Please bring this form with you to your first postpartum visit with your doctor.
  • Family doctor providing maternity care. Make an appointment with your provider for yourself and baby typically within 7 days after discharge from hospital. Sooner if concerns.
  • Some clinics provide these appointments as drop-in weekly Post Partum support groups:
    • Medical Arts Clinic WEDNESDAYS 9:30 am-10:30 am
    • Lexitor Medical Clinic TUESDAYS 8:30 am -9:30 am
  • Public health (Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Parksville). A public health nurse will meet you and your baby in hospital prior to discharge and connect again upon returning home (by phone or home visit depending on families care needs). FREE SERVICE.
  • Public health nurse available by phone 7 days a week (8:30 am -4:30 pm) if questions or concerns. Call 250-755-3388.
  • See Doula list above. Many Doulas provide postpartum support including daytime, overnight, and sibling care to give you rest or an extra set of hands. PRIVATE PAY.
  • Babies Best Chance: Online resource from a trusted source to answer all your questions about pregnancy, labour, delivery, and having a new baby

+ Breastfeeding

Helpful Breastfeeding Resource

  • Kelly Mom. Article “Breast feeding your newborn- What to expect in the early weeks”. Website kellymom.com

FREE Local Support Groups and Breastfeeding Services

  • One to one support (Nanaimo). Nanaimo Public Health. Drop-in breastfeeding support Monday to Friday 9 am - 12 pm. Scheduled appointments available at your request all week (including weekends) in the afternoons. Location: 1665 Grant Ave & 80 Chapel St (downtown)
  • One to one support (Parksville). Oceanside public health. Call for an appointment (monday through saturday) or Drop-in Thursdays. Call public health nurse at 250-947-8242. Located at Parksville Family Place.
  • Group support (Nanaimo and Parksville). La Leche League Canada. Both Nanaimo and Parksville have support groups meeting on a regular basis. Website lllc.ca. Click “find a group/leader”.

Lactation Consultants (private pay)

+ Sleep

Resources

  • Caring for Kids. Website www.caringforkids.cps.ca Articles “Healthy Sleep for your Baby and Child” and “Safe Sleep for Babies”.
  • Facebook support groups:
    • Respectful Sleep Training
    • Precious Little Sleep

Sleep consultants- Greater Nanaimo

+ Nutrition for Mom and Baby

Mom to Mom Nutrition. Provides tips on healthy eating in pregnancy, first foods for baby, and picky toddler strategies. Website momtomomnutrition.com/nutrition/. Facebook group “Mom to Mom Nutrition”.

+ Playtime

+ Car seats

  • Caring for Kids. Website www.caringforkids.cps.ca “Car Seat Safety”. Canadian Pediatric Society explains when to switch from forward facing, rear facing, booster seat, to seat belts in your children
  • Vancouver Island Car Seat Technicians. Website vicarseattechs.com, Facebook “Vancouver Island Car Seat Technicians”. Provide car seat clinics and car seat checks by certified technicians to help support you in installing your car seat properly.

+ Vaccinations

PARENT RESOURCES

+ Baby groups: Greater Nanaimo

  • FREE Activities
    • Healthy Beginnings. For infants 0-6 months at Grant Avenue Public Health. Infants 0-12 months in Ladysmith. Facebook group “Nanaimo public health” for monthly calendar.
    • Mother Goose. Through Nanaimo Parks and Recreation. Check out Nanaimo’s Recreation Guide or visit www.nanaimo.ca “Recreation and Parks- Activity Guide”
    • “Baby Time”. Vancouver Island Library. Different times at various library locations. Check out www.virl.bc.ca “Programs and Events” or pick up the Library Events guide at your local branch.
    • “New Mom’s, Dad’s, and Babies (up to 6 months) and “Building better babies”. Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Health Centre. Provides childminding and transportation. Welcomes all ethnicities. Phone 250-753-6578.
    • Baby and Me. Parksville Public Health. Family Place Parksville. Only available by referral to those who meet criteria for program.
    • Tic Tak. Parksville. Through SOS (society of organized services). Website www.sosd69.com/component/zoo/item/tic-tac
    • Mid-island babywearers. Facebook group and meet-ups.
  • Stroller bootcamp. Balance Works Fitness. Website www.bootcampnanaimo.com. Facebook page “Balance Works Fitness”.
  • Baby Group (Parksville). Offered by the Nurture Collective. Website www.thenurturecollective.ca
  • Mom and Baby yoga

+ Parenting support

  • FREE Pre-school activities (Children 5 and under) that you can bring the baby along
  • Local Groups and Online
    • Triple P Positive Parenting Program. Website www.triplepvip.ca, Facebook “triple P- VIP Positive Parenting Program”.
    • “Nanaimo Mom’s Swap and Shop”. Facebook.
    • “Parents looking for childcare on vancouver island”. Facebook.
    • “What’s up for Nanaimo and area families”. Facebook.
    • Parent Support Group. The Nurture Collective (parksville). Website www.thenurturecollective.ca
    • Aha! Parenting

These resources are provided for informational purposes only. We do not make any endorsements or guarantee with regard to any particular resource or service. Please provide feedback about this resource list to medicalartsmaternity@gmail.com

Nanaimo Maternity Docs: a group of Vancouver Island Family Doctors who are devoted to providing excellent maternity care.