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Referral to the Maternity Centre Support Services can be made
through your obstetrical care provider. Talk to your health
care provider about the various services; contact the Maternity
Centre Reception Desk directly at 684-6228 to discuss availability,
or check for postings regarding upcoming group sessions, on
the Maternity Centre information board, at your next visit.
Support Services provided through the Maternity Centre include
the following:
Cultural Liaison Worker
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The cultural liaison worker assists aboriginal
women when they travel to Thunder Bay from northern
communities to give birth, to access services in the
prenatal period:
- non-insured health benefits
- accommodation
- transportation
- social programs
- cultural supports such as translation/interpretation services
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Dietitian Services
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A Dietitian can help you plan healthy meals and
snacks to ensure that you meet increased needs for vitamins/minerals,
especially; iron, calcium, vitamin D, and folic acid
and stay within your target gestational weight gain
range, to help maintain a healthy pregnancy, and reduce
risks to mother and baby.
A dietitian can also suggest nutritional strategies
to address:
- symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn or
constipation
- food intolerances/aversions;
- many questions you may have about food safety, allergies,
etc.
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Exercise Therapy
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A fit and active lifestyle provides numerous benefits
for both you and your baby. Daily exercise during pregnancy
may assist with:
- decreasing back pain
- decreasing fatigue levels
- stabilizing gestational weight gain
- easing labour and delivery
- promoting a quicker recovery postpartum, etc.
During a consultation, the Exercise Therapist will
provide:
- education on safe physical activity during pregnancy
- pregnancy specific stretching, strengthening and
aerobic activities
- an individualized physical activity plan (derived
from your own personal goals, and will include a variety
of activities taking your preferences into consideration).
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Social Work
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The Social Worker assists women and their families
as they respond to psychological issues that emerge
during the pregnancy and the postpartum period. The
social worker can offer a variety of services ranging
from supportive and therapeutic counseling for a wide
variety of issues such as:
- anxiety and depression/postpartum
- grief and coping
- loss and bereavement
- substance use
- anger
- violence against women
- relationship conflict
- financial difficulties
- liaising with other health care and community professionals
to ensure health and well-being of you and your baby
- assisting in creating healthy and nurturing parent-child
relationships
- advocacy within the health care setting and in the
community
- referrals to community agencies/resources
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Smoking Cessation Program
The Quit Coach provides:
- one on one counseling to help pregnant and postpartum
women to quit smoking
- help for smokers in developing a “quit plan”
- ongoing follow-up and support, for as long as it takes
- counseling for partners and/or family members as well
Pre-Natal Breastfeeding Class
This class is provided in collaboration with the La Leche
League. The monthly class is open to all pregnant women and
their support person wanting to learn more about breastfeeding
prior to delivery.
Exercise & Pregnancy Class
The Maternity Centre’s Exercise Therapist offers this
fitness education class once or twice a month. The sessions
focus on safe physical activity (ie. Warning signs, do's &
don’ts) and general pregnancy-related stretching, strengthening
and aerobic activities to fit a busy lifestyle.
Healthy Weights Postpartum
Want to get on track to lose those extra pounds? This class
is for you! Our Registered Dietitian teaches healthy eating
habits, portion control and daily requirements for your postpartum
period as well as in the future. Our Exercise Therapist teaches
the fundamentals of physical activity, general activity suggestions
that can be easily incorporated into a busy lifestyle, also
activities which include your newborn.
Maternity Centre
984 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 7A5
Phone: (807) 684-6228
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