Searching for Pregnancy / Postnatal

Midwifery practice * prenatal and birth care up to six weeks postpartum * home visits to clients during the postpartum period * midwives attend home births and have privileges at Lakeridge Health Oshawa and Northumberland Hills Hospital

Childbirth and prenatal education classes, doula support, postpartum support, refresher classes, breastfeeding education * assists, educates and empowers each childbearing family to embrace childbirth and parenting with confidence

COVID19 - open for porch pick-up of diapers, formula, baby food, and wipes * call office

Christian ministry staffed by trained volunteers that provides support to individuals and families affected by pregnancy

• services are confidential
• free pregnancy testing
• alternatives to abortion
• practical assistance to mothers whenever possible which can include food, clothing, furniture, and other infant supplies
• support and educate people regarding issues of sexual conduct, pregnancy, parenting and other life skills

Ajax Office
38 Hunt St,
Ajax, ON
L1S 3M2
905-619-9878
phcajax@durham.net

Immediate 24-hour telephone assistance

• Christian ministry staffed by trained volunteers that provides support to individuals and families affected by pregnancy
• confidential

COVID19 -- Serving clients remotely, call office


Support programs for young parents

• layettes for new mothers and babies
• public education and speaking engagements

Individual Counselling for Young Parents

• supportive counselling for young mothers and fathers
• attachment-focused framework, counsellors support young parents to build on strengths and reduce their risks ensuring optimal outcomes for their children and healthy families
• advocacy and referral supports also available

Prenatal classes

• in cooperation with Durham Public Health Department

Teen Mom School Program

• in collaboration with Durham Catholic District School Board
• core academic courses in a child friendly environment
• support with re-entry into mainstream education system

Parenting Groups

• attachment focus which promotes positive infant mental health
• specific to individual needs and challenges of young families

Summer program

• for parents and children with field trips in the community and special events
• Christmas Party, Mother's Day event
• special workshops and seminars scheduled as needeed

Satellite location
North Durham and Ajax/Pickering Outreach
By appointment
905-914-3900

Fully accredited acute care hospital

• emergency services
• supported by family practitioners, dentists and specialists
• internal/family medicine
• general surgical
• cardiology, pathology, radiology
• anaesthesia, urology, gynaecology
• orthopaedics, plastics, ophthalmology, dentistry
• active volunteer group
• lay pastoral visitors, chaplain and spiritual services program

Registered Nurses (RN) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPN) provide nursing care in the community * wound management, post surgical care * care of technologically dependent infants, IV therapy, ventilator management * total parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition, peritoneal dialysis * foot care, pain management, palliative care, medication management * continuous 5-FU infusions, urological nursing

Nursing services

• for prenatal clients up to 28 days postpartum
• offered virtually

Parenting support groups throughout the region for families

Breastfeeding Groups

• weekly drop in groups, mother to mother breastfeeding support, with public health nurse(s) available

S.M.I.L.E. (Supporting Mother and Infant Learning Experience)

• free prenatal classes for young expectant parents under 23 years of age

Perinatal Mood Disorder Support Group (PMD)

• peer support group intended for pregnant women who are experiencing a mood disorder and new mothers who are having difficulty with postpartum adjustment and are experiencing symptoms of PMD
• group is facilitated by a Public Health Nurse

Individual Parent Support - Durham Health Connection is a telephone help line staffed by public health nurses who provide information and counselling on

• health
• parenting issues
• information on community resources
• family health
• pregnancy, prenatal care
• breastfeeding support
• infant and child development
• parenting questions

Home Visiting

• may be offered to families needing support as part of the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program
• call the Durham Health Connection Line for details

Assistance for those that are in financial need

Financial Assistance

• monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income
• monthly drug benefit card
• income tax clinic

Other services include:

Mandatory and Discretionary Benefits

• may include dentures, emergency dental services
• eyeglasses
• special diet allowance
• health care supplies
• medical transportation funds
• prosthetic devices
• funerals and burials
• programs may vary by City or Municipality

Community Participation

• volunteer placements
• job search programs based on individual's skills, experience and circumstances
• employment placement, job matching service
• job skills training - development of skills for specific jobs
• on-the-job training
• supports to self-employment, referrals to self-employment programs
• basic education, basic adult upgrading
• high school upgrading
• English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
• literacy and basic skills

Employment Assistance

• clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children

Employment Resource Centre

• walk-in job search centre
• access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier, telephone
• resource materials
• job banks
• labour market information
• assistance with resumes
• referrals to job counselling and training

Employment Start-Up Benefit

• covers costs related to starting a job or work placement
• families with children -- newborn child allowance, child care start-up costs, basic dental care for children

Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP)

• help young parents finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment

Click here for Employment Supports

Additional services:

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268

• available Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm and Sat, Sun noon-5 pm
• automated information and payment details, payment history, file status
• information and announcements about Ontario Works
• service not available to TTY users

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867

• to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance

Satellite Locations for Existing Clients

Ajax Office
140 Commercial Ave,
Ajax, ON L1S 2H5
Phone 905-428-7400

Oshawa Office
C1A-200 John St,
Oshawa, ON L1J 2B4
Phone 905-436-6747

Oshawa Office (Employment Counselling)
200 John Street West, Upper Level
Oshawa, ON L1J 2B4
Phone 905-432-2929

Uxbridge Office
2 Campbell Drive, Suite 305
Uxbridge, ON L9P 1H6
Phone: 905-852-4566

COVID19 - Virtual classes

Prenatal classes * childbirth, baby care, and breastfeeding classes * birth process, comfort measures, breathing and relaxation techniques, unmedicated and medicated birth, pain relief, emergency cesarean section * partner's roles during childbirth * postpartum care, signs of postpartum depression * newborn care information, infant feeding and safety * group and private classes available on weekends * postpartum doula service * Registered Nurse private consultation and parenting support

Counselling, consultation or referrals on self esteem, depression anxiety, eating disorders * marital issues, sex therapy, communication * divorce recovery, anger management, loss and grief issues * pregnancy and parenting, postpartum depression * stress and time management * mental health issues * sexual, verbal and physical abuse * home visits * mediation services for couples

Services to expectant families, including labour support (doula) services and sale and rental of birthing pools * individual physical, emotional, and informational support to an expectant family throughout the birth process * doula services include prenatal visits to discuss options and prepare a birth plan, attendance during the labour and birth, ongoing postpartum and breastfeeding support

Canadian distributor of Birth Pool in a Box, portable pool designed for water labour and waterbirth

Full-service community hospital, including

• Emergency care
• The Shoulder Centre
• Inpatient and Outpatient Surgery
• Women's and Children's Health
• Critical Care
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Outpatient Mental Health Services
• Cardiac Care
• Diabetes Education
• Laboratory Services

Provide girls with knowledge, skills and confidence to become healthy, educated and independent adults

• curriculum developed specifically to meet the needs of girls
• programs are delivered by professionally trained facilitators, with measurable objectives and outcomes
• programs delivered through weekly workshops, summer camps, PA Day programs, March Break camps, after-school drop-in programs and in-school classes

Provides a full range of primary-care and some secondary-care services

• Medicine, Emergency, Surgical Services
• Outpatient Clinics
• Ambulatory Rehabilitation Centre
• New Life Centre (Maternal/Child Program)
• Respiratory Therapy, Pharmacy, Laboratory
• Diagnostic Imaging, Ultrasound
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Diabetes Education
• Social Work
• Palliative Care
• Mental Health
• Spiritual Services
• Volunteer Services

Midwifery practice * complete pre-natal and birth care * up to six weeks post-partum care

Free online prenatal program offering access to information on pregnancy, childbirth and parenting.

• Information offered through InJoy eClasses. Visit www.hkpr.on.ca/our-services/prenatal-program-eclass/ to access online course

Provides confidential consultations and services including:

• testing and free treatment of sexually transmitted infections
• pregnancy testing and counselling
• emergency contraception and low-cost birth control

COVID19 Intake available by phone or email. Virtual sessions available at this time. In person appointments available in some programs.

Regular Service
Supportive services for children, youth and families.
Programs include:

• Infant and Child Development - home visiting for assessment, consultation and intervention for children whose development is considered to be at risk
• Pre-School Speech and Language - assessment and treatment for children who are experiencing a communication difficulty
• Northumberland Bridges - peer support groups delivering parent education, nutritional information and support, crisis support and access to community services
• Autism Program
• Parenting Workshops
• Professional Development Workshops
• Play Therapy (Assessment and Intervention)
• Speech Therapy (Assessment and Intervention)
• Occupational Therapy (Assessment and Intervention)
• Ask an Expert Program
• Keys to Kindergarten School Readiness Program

Public Health Unit

Services include:

• direct care in community clinics for vaccinations, pregnancy screening, dental services, and cervical screening
• one-on-one counselling to clients regarding safer sexual health, communicable diseases, quitting smoking, and more
• information to residents about how their choices affect their health
• assistance to help make workplaces safer
• inspection and prevention services to control sources of disease in the environment
• advocacy - together with schools, municipalities, employers, and community groups - for change in public policy that enhances the well-being and health of our community
• protection of the public by continually monitoring and reporting on the safety of water supplies, beaches, restaurants, and the general health of the population
• education to clients about such subjects as prenatal care, infant and child care, nutrition, safe food handling, health hazard prevention, and more

COVID19 Response
Classes offered at Northumberland Hills Hospital or via Zoom.

Regular Service
Birth Connection provides childbirth and infant care classes.

• Topics discussed include, home preparation prior to delivery, the normal process of labour and delivery, breathing and labour positions, medical interventions, infant care, breastfeeding techniques, safety issues, and hospital tour
• Doula/labour support available
• Private and refresher classes available
• Infant Care Class, Breastfeeding, Formula feeding, Baby Bath, Car Seat Information, General Safety

Pregnancy support

• crisis pregnancy support
• pregnancy tests
• resources for pregnancy and childbirth
• prenatal classes
• perinatal loss support
• adoption support
• diapers, gently used maternity clothes, baby clothes and gear
• free prenatal vitamins (Food 4 Thought), $15.00 worth of healthy food per week (Food 4 Thought)
• transportation support and accompaniment to appointments
• home and community visits

Family Support

• weekly parenting support program
• community kitchen
• parenting sessions and resources
• mentoring, support groups
• donations closet, children's clothing and gear
• fall retreat
• connection and networking opportunities
• nutrition and parenting support
• high school credit completion, upgrades
• child care
• transportation support and accompaniment
• home and community visits

COVID19 -- Call or visit hospital website for entryway restrictions, current visitor policies and appointment cancellations


Acute care hospital

• cancer care including prostate cancer diagnosis clinic and pediatric oncology
• cardiac care
• diabetes education centre
• maternal and newborn care
• mental health including adult inpatient services and day treatment
• outpatient palliative care
• pediatrics
• rehabilitation and complex continuing care
• surgery

Breastfeeding Clinic: breastfeeding support available for as long as needed; call for an appointment at 416-284-8131 ext 4530

Adult Mental Health Outpatient Services

• Psychiatric Day Hospital, 416-284-8131 ext. 7319 - 3 week alternative to inpatient admission or transition back to community after inpatient stay. Includes support and education regarding mental health issues
• Psychiatric Day Treatment, 416-281-7318 - longer program that helps patients develop specific skills for coping with depression and anxiety
• psychiatric disorder counselling, medication management

Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network (GAIN) Clinic, 416-281-7446 -- Comprehensive assessment and interventions for frail seniors

Short term emergency shelter includes case management and referrals to community agencies, assistance in finding housing, and workshops about housing readiness, life skills and employment

• children, youth and adult programs
• Housing Connections (see separate entry) Community Partner, assistance with housing search and application process

Pregnancy Support Program
For at-risk couples, admitted at 6 months of pregnancy

• prenatal supports
• counselling