SIMCOE MUSKOKA – Expecting a new baby is exciting and it’s normal to have many questions about pregnancy and what to expect once baby arrives. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit offers free prenatal classes throughout the community in a variety of formats. To help you prepare for a new baby, the health unit is pleased to announce that in-person prenatal classes are available at the Essa Public Library, Angus Branch starting Oct. 1, 2024.

Prenatal classes offer expecting parents an opportunity to learn about labour and labour comfort techniques, medical procedures and birth, and how to care for your newborn from a public health nurse. Class participants also have an opportunity to meet and speak with other people who are pregnant and their support person. 

Although the Angus class location is new, the health unit continues to offer in-person classes at locations in Barrie, Bracebridge, Bradford, Collingwood, Huntsville, Midland and Orillia with most sessions running once a week over four weeks. Prenatal classes run throughout the year and details about dates, locations and registration is available at smdhu.org/PrenatalClass.

For people who prefer to learn from the comfort of their home, the health unit is also offering two online prenatal class options. The first option is a virtually facilitated class where participants meet online for one session each week over the course of four weeks. The same material that is shared in the in-person class is covered and participants have an opportunity to speak with a public health nurse and meet others who are expecting.

The second online option is self-guided classes that allow participants to access the learning materials through audio recordings that they can go through at their own pace. The self-guided classes can be started at any time and questions can be submitted using the Health Connection online form or by calling Health Connection.

For more information about the health unit’s prenatal classes, schedule or to register, visit smdhu.org/PrenatalClass or call Health Connection weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520. 

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