Prenatal classes in Nova Scotia replaced by website

Nova Scotia has introduced a prenatal website designed to provide information to expectant parents and replace the traditional in-person prenatal classes, in a move that upsets some mothers.

The Welcome to Parenting site was launched Tuesday, covering topics ranging from healthy pregnancy, labour and birth and breastfeeding.

Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief public health officer, said the website delivers parents the information they need in the way most people are consuming their information.

"In today's digital world, new and expectant parents are looking for credible information online," he said Tuesday.

"This new program has been customized according to Nova Scotia standards. It provides the information parents need in the online, mobile format they want."

The website allows new parents to connect with others online to share experiences. There is a section where parents can have questions answered by experts in health, parenting and child development.

The site is meant to replace most prenatal classes in the province. Several district health authorities including the Colchester East Hants Health Authority, the Cape Breton District Health Authority and the Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority have already stopped offering in-person classes.

The rest of the health authorities will stop offering classes by the end of the year.

The Department of Health and Wellness said attendance in traditional prenatal classes has been declining in recent years. It argued that unlike traditional classes, the website covers a wider range of topics and will follow families over a longer period of time.

'Not going to be the same'

Venessa Downing, a doula in Halifax who is the co-owner of Birth Happens, is disappointed with the province's decision.

"I think it's important that we have online resources because that's what families want and that's what we're asking for. But I think that having a space and a person with a face is really important for new moms," she said.

"The internet is helpful but it's certainly not going to be the same as having someone face to face to actually answer questions."

Strang said he knows the transition isn’t easy.

"I do understand that some of the people like what they've had and are concerned about the change," he said.

"We know that the majority of families are actually asking for and looking for online information."

A similar website approach was launched by Toronto Public Health in November. Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's medical officer of health, ​said they've received a positive response from those who use it.

"The program provides our very diverse populations with a way of accessing prenatal information in a format, and time that meets their needs better, than traditional group classes have,” he said.

There is no charge to access the Welcome to Parenting website, but the program will cost taxpayers $5 for each family that registers on the website. The province estimates the total cost at around $42,000 per year, depending on how many people sign up.

The Department of Health and Wellness said this is not about reducing costs — any savings will be used to provide more customized support for families who need it, such as people who aren't online or have low incomes.

Strang called it a "more intensive, direct support" for those families.

"This is using the same resources in a different way," he said.