Where can I find help as a pregnant woman arriving in Ontario?

There are many organizations that provide services for pregnant women in communities across Ontario. You can find services and support in newcomer-serving organizations, community-based non-profit organizations, community health services offered by the city or regional government, community centres, and hospitals.

Contact the Community Information Centre in your area and ask them about programs and services available for pregnant women. You will be able to find services for before and after your pregnancy (pre and post natal).

Public Health Units also offer a program called Healthy Babies, Healthy Children. The Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program (HBHC) is a prevention and early intervention initiative to provide support and services to families with children from before birth up to six years of age. The Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program works with hospitals, doctors, public health nurses, home visitors and service agencies in the community. Contact your local Public Health Unit.

There are also several programs available for pregnant women that are funded by the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP). The purpose of these groups is to reduce the rate of unhealthy birth weights, improve the health of both baby and mother, and also to encourage breastfeeding. Find a Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) Project in your community.

Some Community Health Centres offer pre and post natal services. In some cases, they can provide services to newcomers who have not yet received their OHIP/Health Card. Find a Community Health Centre in your community.
You will also want to see a family doctor or a midwife when you think you are pregnant. Family doctors can tell you how to take care of yourself and the baby. They can refer you to an obstetrician. An obstetrician is a doctor who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth. If you do not have a family doctor, we have information about How to Find a Family Doctor you might want to read, in our Health section.

Midwife associations have registered health care professionals who provide primary care to low-risk women throughout their pregnancy, labour and birth and provide care to both mother and baby during the first six weeks following the birth. The birth can take place at home or in a hospital as per your choice. If you are afraid of health complications of any kind, you can choose a hospital birth. The services of the midwives in the associations are free to women covered by OHIP.

But you will have to pay for laboratory tests as well as hospital room if it is a hospital birth. Click here to use the Association of Ontario Midwives 'Find a Midwife' service to find a midwife in your area. You will need to contact a local midwife to find out what they might charge for services if you are not covered by OHIP yet.