Pregnancy & Parenting
Call or Text us Today at 902-678-6217 Visit us: 104 Webster St., Kentville
Parenting Support
Choosing to continue your pregnancy and to parent can be challenging. We offer personal support, video pregnancy & parenting lessons and material resources.
Pregnancy, delivery, birth and parenting may be experienced as wonderful, challenging and/or traumatic, depending on your history, personality, context, support and resources. (Check out this article from the National Institutes of Health for an overview of Possible Predictors of Health-damaging Behaviors and Mental Health Problems in Pregnancy) The NIH lists complications in pregnancy which include high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, infections, preeclampsia, preterm labor, depression & anxiety, pregnancy loss/miscarriage, and stillbirth.
On the positive side, scientific research suggests that soon after fetal implantation, stem cells of the fetus begin travelling into the body of the mother, remaining there for many years, enhancing the mother's immune system and bringing healing to the mother's body.
If you choose pregnancy and parenting, support is always important. We are here to help support you along the way. Over and above your circle of support including what we offer, be sure to take time with your health care professional to discuss your mental health and lifestyle choices and coping supports so that you can be sure to have a well-rounded support base for your pregnancy / birth and parenting experience.
We Are Here for You!
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Free, confidential, personal support for you, your partner and your family (or any combination of those).
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Loving support from people who understand for as long as you need us
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Free pregnancy tests
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Maternity clothes & prenatal vitamin referral
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Personal, one-on-one pregnancy coaching
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Your own individualized pregnancy & parenting education
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Pregnancy, Labour, Birth & Parenting videos sent to your device or a private lounge for viewing & learning with a facilitator
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Community referrals for tons of resources
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Help with diapers, formula & breast feeding
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Quality baby clothes up to age two
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Help with finding a parenting support group in your area
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Phone, text & email support after hours
Text us Now at 902-678-6217
"Earn While You Learn" is a video-based parenting program (we can send to your device or you can watch at our Centre) which includes videos on the pregnancy and/or parenting subject or topic of your choosing and offers a worksheet for each lesson. Here are a few ladies sharing what this program has done for them:
"During my time at the Centre, I have spent quite a bit of time studying the material presented in the 'Earn While You Learn' program. It has been great for me. Being a first time mom with a non-existent family, I have taken the lessons presented and committed them to heart and memory. I am truly grateful for the guidance they have given me. They have honestly helped me be the best mom I can be."
- Mother of 1
"I really like the 'Earn While You Learn' program. It gives me a chance to learn valuable things that help me in my everyday life - while earning "Baby Bucks" to help me get things for my children. In one of the videos I learned how to deal with my anger when my children are throwing tantrums. It also taught me how to help them deal with their tantrums without spanking. The other video I learned how to manage my money. Just those couple videos I learned a lot and enjoyed watching them."
- Mother of 4
"I was pregnant when I started the EWYL Program. It really helped me understand what was going on with my body and my developing baby. Like, I didn't know that babies played with their umbilical cord. How cool is that? I am going to classes now to learn how to take care of (baby's name). I am learning about first aid and what to do when my baby is sick. I am learning about how to help her sleep through the night, and how to talk to her and comfort her. Most of all, I am learning what she needs from me."
- Alisha, EWYL Client
"The program has completely changed my life and the way my children will be raised. Hopefully it will influence them when they are parents. The stuff I learned has actually helped in all the relationships in my life. It has helped me to understand my upbringing and how to break the cycle of poor parenting. I would be totally lost if I hadn't learned how important it is to give my daughters consistency, routines and that they need to have limits set for them. We use 1-2-3 magic and it is a God-send with Joseph. I recently found myself going through the homework looking for some information I needed with Rickki. One of the biggest, simplest things I've learned is to hug and touch my babies. Sounds so obvious, right. Like, I didn't know how important eye contact is when they are little. I didn't know that they NEED to be touched and stroked and talked to. These things changed the way I parent my babies! I could tell from the very first day that I walked into the centre that my instructor genuinely cared about my babies and I. Through the months we developed a special bond and friendship that will carry through the years. We still talk, even though I am finished with the program, and she gives moral support and helps me with any issues I may have."
- Stephanie, EWYL Client
Parenting does not come with a manual … it is a journey of the heart. Thankfully, we are not alone in this journey and we can help, support and learn from one another.
Imagine the possibilities in a world full of healthy relationships. Our work is part of an international effort to provide research, resources and services directly to individuals and communities to support the development of strong, healthy families and communities. We realize that if we want young adults to make good, healthy choices, we need to work within the context of the community in which they live and within their families. We partner with local and international organizations to help strengthen families and entire communities.
Check out the Public Health Agency of Canada's brochure "Your Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy."