The following is a list of resources that you may find useful if you are planning on having a baby in the Greater Toronto areas of Parkdale, High Park or Davenport.
Pregnancy Care
St. Joseph's Health Centre
www.stjoe.on.ca
Family Birthing Centre: 416-530-6000, ext. 6052
30 The Queensway, Toronto, ON, M6R 1B5
Midwife Alliance
www.midwifealliance.ca
416-534-9161
midwifealliance@gmail.com
166 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON, M8Y 1J2
Staff privileges at St. Joseph's Health Centre
Kensington Midwives
www.kensingtonmidwives.ca
416-928-9777
kmw@kensingtonmidwives.ca
450-340 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 3A9
Staff privileges at St. Joseph's Health Centre
Prenatal Tours
St. Joseph's Health Centre
To book a tour call: 416-530-6367
Tours are offered for free to anyone planning to deliver at St. Joseph's Health Centre. If you are taking a prenatal class at St. Joseph's a tour is already included in the class series.
Prenatal Resources
Toronto Health Connection Line - Toronto Public Health
416-338-7600
A line staffed by public health nurses who can provide information about health issues and community services. The line is staffed from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Childbirth Preparation Classes - St. Joseph's Health Centre
Class Information 416-530-6191
The four week prenatal class will help prepare you for the physical and emotional aspects of labour, birth, breastfeeding and newborn care. Classes will be once a week for four consecutive weeks with 2.5 hours per class. All classes will be offered online, live sessions, through Zoom. Follow the link above for more information and to register.
Prenatal Program - Toronto Public Health
Toronto Public Health offers a free online prenatal program - Welcome to Parenting. If you are expecting a baby and live in Toronto then you are eligible. Through this 29 interactive online class series you'll learn all about having a healthy pregnancy, basic labour and birth, infant feeding and becoming a parent. This unique program also offers experts in prenatal education, child development and parenting to answer your questions and an online forum were you may connect with other families in Toronto.
Prenatal Programs For At-Risk Women - Toronto Public Health
416-338-7600
Toronto Public Health offers specialized programs for a number of at-risk groups of women in the Toronto area. These groups include women at-risk of having a low birth weight baby, women in their teens or early twenties, women who are new to Canada, and women facing challenging life situations such as hunger and poverty. Programs are offered at several sites throughout Toronto. Call the Health Connection Line for more information.
Pregnancy and Parenting Programs - Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre
Program Information to register call 416-537-8222 ext. 3502 or 3505
This program provides support, nutrition and community programs information for pregnant families and families with infants 0-3 years of age. You may be able to participate in these programs if you:
- Live within the boundaries of Bloor Street, Lake Ontario, Dovercourt Rd and the Humber River.
- Are pregnant/expecting a baby
- Have an infant 0-3 years of age
- Are living on a low, fixed or no income
Call or visit website for more information.
Postpartum Resources
Healthy Babies, Healthy Children - Toronto Public Health Unit
Program Information 416-338-7600
The Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program is a confidential and voluntary home visiting program for families who are pregnant or have children up to age six. Through this program a Public Health Nurse can link you to a broad range of programs and services. For more information and to book a home visit call the Toronto Health Connection Line.
Breastfeeding Support - Toronto Public Health
Program Information 416-338-7600
By calling the Toronto Health Connection Line you can receive support over the phone regarding your breastfeeding questions and concerns. Breastfeeding clinics offer individual consultations by health care professionals. At the clinic, families can have their baby weighed and their breastfeeding concerns addressed. If you wish, you may book a home visit with a Public Health Nurse for further breastfeeding support. Visit website for clinic locations near you.
New Moms Group - St. Joseph's Hospital
Program Information 416-530-6191
This group is open to first-time mothers with babies six weeks to three months of age. This is an opportunity for mothers to connect with other new mothers and discuss newborn issues. This class will be facilitated by a registered nurse. The class runs from 10 to 11 a.m. Visit link for more information and call to register.
Make The Connection - Toronto Public Health
416-338-7600
This 9 week program for parents with children 6 weeks to 12 months old focusses on secure attachment, two-way communication, infant led learning, the importance of early years, and the importance of the parent-child relationship. It is offered at many sites throughout Toronto. Call the Toronto Health Connection Line for more information and to register.
Parkdale Parents' Primary Prevention Project
Project Information [PDF] to register call 416-537-8222 ext. 502 or 505
The Parkdale Parents' Primary Prevention Project offers programs for pregnant women and families with young children. These include; Mom and Baby Circle, Women's Health Centre Playroom, Postive Parenting, First Aid Training, Daddy Matters, and Prenatal Nutrition and Support Program. Call for more information and to register.
Women's Connection Program
27 Roncesvalles Ave. Suite 301 & 503
Toronto, ON M6R 3B2
email: 5ps@pchc.on.ca
EarlyON Child and Family Centres
EarlyON Centres are a place for children up to the age of six and their parents and caregivers to take part in programs and activities together. They bring together in one location information about children's services and programs in the community. If you have questions about your child's development, or want to know how to get information or services for your child aged 0-6 in your area contact your local centre.
MumNet
MumNet provides an opportunity for mothers who are at home with small children to meet in a supportive group setting. To this end, the Network operates 14 groups in a variety of locations across Metro Toronto. Each group meets once a week for a two hour session which includes a 45-minute low-impact aerobics class and a one-hour discussion led by the volunteer leaders of the group. A qualified fitness instructor provides the fitness portion of the program and the children are cared for on the premises by experienced caregivers.
Additional Resources
Distress Line
www.torontodistresscentre.com 416-408-4357
Provides confidential 24 hour emotional support, crisis intervention and suicide prevention to persons in distress. There is access to a confidential interpreter for 151 languages.
eMentalHealth.ca
416-929-5200 (Gerstein Centre)
Provides information about mental health services in Ontario such as counselling services and supports in the community, basic education about mental illness and offers support and provides strategies to those in need. Service is offered 24 hrs a day, translation services available if needed.