For French-speaking families in Manitoba, prenatal resources in their preferred language haven’t always been easy to find. Centre de santé Saint-Boniface (CDS), in partnership with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA), are proud to launch a self-guided prenatal course in French that’s free of charge and easily accessible online.
“Pre-pandemic, we offered courses to families in person on evenings and weekends,” explains France Rama, Manager of Allied Health at CDS. “When health care spaces shut down for anything deemed non-essential, we, of course, stopped the classes, but the content was still all there. We created a document to be posted online for families at that time, and that formed the basis of today’s virtual program.”
Prenatal classes cover important topics related to pregnancy, delivery, and the first few months postpartum. “The course touches on everything, including things to watch out for during pregnancy,” shares Geneviève Riel, nurse at CDS. “We go over all the phases of labour, what happens after delivery, and we even have videos to show families how to give their babies a bath or how to start breastfeeding. It’s the nitty gritty of what to expect.”
The staff at CDS are thrilled that this resource is now available in community. “In 2017, the WHRA had stopped offering their free in person prenatal courses, which meant that many families either didn’t have access or had to pay to attend classes,” continues Rama. “Add in the complications of transportation, and it became quite a challenge for families to gain the knowledge they needed about pre- and post-natal care.”
The advantage of the virtual classes is that families can learn on their own time, and at their own pace. “We’ve been sharing this resource with our patients here at the clinic, and we’re getting great feedback,” explains Riel. “It’s truly a way to make parents feel empowered. We’re here to talk to them about this experience, but it’s an extra resource that they can consult when it works for them and then bring any questions back to us.”
The modules of the classes are broken down into sections and easily accessible so that parents can find exactly the information they need when they need it. “There are lots of resources that can be downloaded, and there’s a list of community resources if you need more support,” confirms Riel.
While the courses are available to any French-speaking families in Manitoba, staff at CDS recognize that certain populations might require more supports. “We’re really trying to reach people in populations that might need a little extra help navigating pregnancy,” Riel says. “New Canadians especially aren’t sure what to expect within our health system. We want to add more modules to help people understand when they’ll have doctor’s appointments, for example, or to explain which healthcare professionals will be involved with their care.”
The CDS is grateful for the support of the WHRA, who is hosting the prenatal classes on their website, to help expand the number of Manitobans who can access it. “I love knowing that people can go back and reread a section, or rewatch a video,” says Riel. “Now, the information is here for you, and in the language of your choice. We’re really proud that this is a resource in community for all.”
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To access this free resource, please click here.