Healthy Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a great time to think about your lifestyle and to make positive, healthy choices. Making healthy changes to your lifestyle and habits during pregnancy will improve your health, the health of your baby, and will benefit you and your family in the future.
- A Healthy Start for Baby and Me
- Be Safe: Have an Alcohol Free Pregnancy
- My Breastfeeding Birth Plan
- Sensible Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
- Newborn and Postpartum Booklet
- Helpful information for when baby arrives
Programs and Services
Pregnancy Testing
If you think you could be pregnant and need more information about pregnancy options, please contact our sexual health line at 613-966-5500 ext 243 or 1-800-267-2803 ext 243.
Prenatal Education
Expectant parents and support persons are encouraged to start prenatal education as soon as possible. Visit our Prenatal Education page for more information.
Nurse-Family Partnership
The NFP is a free home visiting program for young people who are pregnant and parenting for the first time. Your nurse can help you throughout your pregnancy and your child’s first two years of life.
The Nurse-Family Partnership is open to individuals who are:
- 24 years old or younger
- Preparing to parent for the first time
- Early on in their pregnancy (before 27 weeks gestation)
- Experiencing financial hardships or limited resources
*if you don’t meet the eligibility criteria above, consider our Healthy Babies Healthy Children program below.
There is no cost to you for the program and your participation is voluntary. For more information about the Nurse-Family Partnership program, call 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803, ext. 269 or complete our online referral.
Healthy Babies Healthy Children
Having a baby can be both an exciting and challenging time. You may have a lot of questions and might need help preparing for and adjusting to life with a new baby. The Healthy Babies Healthy Children program provides home visits by public health nurses and home visitors to expectant mothers and new parents who need extra support and can benefit from the program.
Home visits can help you learn about:
- having a healthy pregnancy and birth
- connecting with your baby
- how children grow and develop as well as what you can do to help
- being a parent
- breastfeeding, food and healthy nutrition
- taking care of yourself and your family
- other services available to you and your child in your community (health services, parenting programs, family literacy programs and financial aid)
There is no cost to you for the program and your participation is voluntary. For more information about the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program, call 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803, ext. 269.
Request for Support/Information
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) offers free programs and services for pregnant individuals as well as new and experienced parents. Please let us know what topics are of interest to you and your family. HPEPH will call within 3 business days to follow up on your request.
Please be aware that public health cannot provide primary care services. If you have concerns about your health or the health of your baby, please contact your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, you may contact Health811, available by phone 24/7 at 811.
Pregnancy and COVID-19
- Having a Baby and COVID-19 – Planning for Birth
- Having a Baby and COVID-19 – Labour Support
- Having a Baby and COVID-19 – Infant Feeding
- Having a Baby and COVID-19 – the NICU
- Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Caring for Newborns during COVID-19 – Advice for Mothers
- Effects of COVID-19 on Pregnancy & Infant Feeding Factsheet
