BCAPOP has recently launched The Pregnancy HUB, an online prenatal program offering virtual support, resources and classes, that is free to all pregnant, postpartum and newly parenting people with infants up to 12 months old who are residents of British Columbia.

We spoke with Heather Cameron, RN, Executive Director of the BC Association of Pregnancy Outreach Programs (BCAPOP) about the new program, funded by the Province of British Columbia and hosted by BCAPOP. The Pregnancy HUB is a 12-month virtual program, free to all pregnant, postpartum and newly parenting people with infants up to 12 months old who are residents of BC, that offers participants unlimited access to local pregnancy outreach program and service referrals, a virtual library full of evidence-based information, a monthly newsletter, and access to virtual events on topics related to pregnancy and early parenting.

The Pregnancy HUB offers a managed public online resource library, reviewed quarterly, of reliable and evidence-based resources updated with the latest information for pregnant, postpartum and newly parenting people at https://www.pregnancyhub.org/Resource-HUB

Categories include:

Care Providers & Health Services: Find prenatal care providers (Physician or Midwife) and other health services such as virtual hospital tours and regional prenatal registries.

Pregnancy Options & Sexual Health: Learn more about pregnancy options and sexual health or connect to non-profit organizations that offer low-barrier access to contraception.

Prenatal Resources: Watch a recorded prenatal class, access prenatal education resources or download a copy of your choice of two pregnancy passports to help you stay organized throughout your pregnancy.

Pregnancy & Infant Loss: Find information and non-profit organizations who support people that have experienced pregnancy and/or infant loss.

Mental Wellness: Learn more about mental health for pregnant people, families and infants and find out where you can go to access more help.

Nutrition & Food Security: Find out more about prenatal nutrition, nutrition during lactation or introducing family meals to your infant.

Physical Activity & Body Changes: Learn more about physical activity during pregnancy, after birth, or as a new parent, and about body changes that are healthy.

Infant Health & Development: Connect to resources to learn more about your baby’s physical, emotional and mental health and development.

Breastfeeding & Infant Nutrition: Learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding and about infant nutrition.

Substance Use & Harm Reduction: Learn more about substance use and/or harm reduction during pregnancy, lactation and as a parent.

Crisis & Legal Support: Connect to help lines, legal aid, a local rent bank or child welfare agencies if you are experiencing a crisis.

Resource Suggestions: The Pregnancy HUB is always looking to expand its evidence-based resource library, and the resources are reviewed and updated quarterly. To request addition of a resource or make suggestions on what should be included, contact The Pregnancy HUB at resources@pregnancyhub.org

The Pregnancy HUB offers a variety of virtual events that are always free for HUB participants. Participants will need to login to the Participant HUB to register for events, including support groups, pre-natal classes, parenting classes, and breastfeeding and chestfeeding classes. Once program participants are registered, they will receive emails offering registration information for upcoming classes. Upcoming events will also be posted publicly on the Home Page and Events Page to help professionals supporting parents to advertise upcoming events.

Currently running/upcoming events include:

• Mothers for Recovery virtual support group – run in partnership with Pathways to Healing (Comox Valley)/co-facilitated by a peer with lived experience and a Registered Clinical Counsellor

• Ask a childbirth educator! Webinar – presented by Jordan Davis, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator & Certified Lactation Educator

• Circle of Security Parenting Program – presented by Willow George, CSW-social services, Certified Doula, AIDP Consultant

• Human Milk Feeding 101 (2 sessions) – facilitated by Stephanie George, IM Indigenous Midwife, IBCLC & BA(Hons)

• Prenatal in a Day Webinar, facilitated by Morgan Glover, CBE

• Fathering Forward virtual support group – run by a Clinical Counsellor (Coming Summer 2022)

There are different forms of registration and membership to accommodate those with interest in the program:

1. Free registration for people who are pregnant, postpartum and/or newly parenting an infant up to 12 months of age who are residents of BC.

2. Free annual helping peer membership for peers supporting pregnant, postpartum or newly parenting people and who want to learn more about the program and upcoming events.

• The Pregnancy HUB - Helping Peer: Offered free to peer support programs that are run by peers; free for people to access; open to residents of BC; and do not promote violence or hatred against any individuals or groups. Who should apply? Any peer who is employed by or volunteers for a program that supports pregnant, postpartum or newly parenting people.

Membership benefits include:

• Be the first to know when the Resource HUB is updated with new evidence-based information to share with your participants or clients.

• Receive digital social media kits and resources to help you connect your participants or clients to the HUB.

• Receive networking and training opportunities aimed at peers who support pregnant, postpartum and newly parenting people.

• The Pregnancy HUB - Helping Peer (Peer Driven Support Groups): Offered free to peer support programs that are run by peers; free for people to access; open to residents of BC; and do not promote violence or hatred against any individuals or groups. Who should apply? Any peer who coordinates peer driven support groups (for example: Mothers for Recovery, SMART Recovery, 16-step group, 12-step group, etc.)

Membership benefits include:

• Be the first to know when the Resource HUB is updated with new evidence-based information to share with your group members.

• Receive digital social media kits and resources to help you connect your group members to the HUB.

• Receive networking and training opportunities aimed at peers who support pregnant, postpartum and newly parenting people.

• One program or service listing in the public HUB Directory to connect local pregnant, postpartum and newly parenting people across BC to your peer driven group.

3. Free annual professional membership for professionals supporting pregnant, postpartum or newly parenting people who want to learn more about the program and upcoming events.

Free Professional Membership: Who should apply? Pregnancy outreach workers, nurses, physicians, child welfare workers, family support workers, knowledge-keepers, Elders, social workers, health/social service students, outreach workers, shelter workers, detox workers, treatment centre workers, midwives, birthkeepers, doulas, childbirth educators, and anyone else who supports pregnant, postpartum and newly parenting people, to help with referrals.

Membership benefits include:

• Be the first to know when the Resource HUB is updated with new evidence-based information to share with your clients, participants, and patients.

• Receive digital social media kits and resources to help you connect your clients, participants, and patients to the HUB.

• Receive networking and training opportunities aimed at professionals who support pregnant, postpartum, and newly parenting people.

4. Paid annual membership for professionals ($100 per year for non-profits or charitable organization/$150 per year for all other professional programs/services/businesses) who want access to program information and who wish to have a listing in the public HUB directory for their program/service and receive printed HUB resources for distribution.

Membership benefits include:

• Be the first to know when the Resource HUB is updated with new evidence-based information to share with your clients, participants, and patients.

• Receive digital social media kits and resources to help you connect your clients, participants, and patients to the HUB.

• Receive networking and training opportunities aimed at professionals who support pregnant, postpartum, and newly parenting people.

• One program or service listing in the public HUB Directory to connect to local pregnant, postpartum and newly parenting people across BC.

• Annual package of printed Pregnancy HUB resources shipped directly to your doorstep to share with clients, participants, and patients.