Resources for Current Patients
This page is for current patients of Dr. Bardsley. For visitors, please consult your doctor for medical advice. On this page you will find PDFs with tips and tricks for preparing for baby, links to local Ottawa resources, and how-to’s for preparing for appointments, lab tests and treatments.
Reliable Medical Resources
www.pregnancyinfo.ca
The SOGC (Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) has provided some credible and important information to help guide you through the pre-conception to postpartum periods.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/pregnancy.html
Your go-to resource for information about nutrition and exercise.
www.powertopush.ca
Information for patients with a previous Cesarean section who want to know about their delivery options.
Information on Tests and Treatments in Pregnancy
This PDF lays out the typical schedule of appointments and test so you know what to expect. Feel free to print it off and write down your appointment dates. You should see a doctor within a few weeks of your positive pregnancy test or missed period. If you have a family doctor, they can offer you care up until whatever point you are both comfortable with. I accept referrals at any point in pregnancy.
This PDF has a summary of suggested dietary changes and lifestyle tips for a healthy pregnancy.
Learn about genetic prenatal screening options in Ontario.
This PDF explains how to get Winrho at 28 weeks if you are Rh negative. Don’t worry, I will organize this for you and explain how the process works at your appointment.
Learn how to monitor your blood glucose if you have gestational diabetes.
Learn how to monitor your blood pressure if you have hypertension.
Links to My Favourite Things
I recommend that you work out and stretch regularly during your pregnancy. Your baby (and your back!) will thank you for it. The next three resources can all be found for free on Youtube. Do you have a channel you love? Let me know at your next appointment!
Sydney Cummings
When it comes to fitness (pre-natal, post-natal and general), this lady is intense but excellent. Feel free to dial down (or up) on the weights as needed. Doing her workouts in my third pregnancy made me feel so much stronger and reduced my pelvic pain to almost zero.
Here’s a link to Sydney’s pregnancy workout videos.
BabyFit by Amy
Want to get moving but don’t want to get too sweaty? This woman has short and sweet prenatal fitness videos. She also has great postnatal exercises for diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation) and Cesarean section recovery.
Here’s a link her prenatal workout videos.
Yogini Melbourne
Relaxing yoga videos made especially for pregnant women.
Here’s a link to her pre- and postnatal classes.
Baby Registry Tip Sheet
This PDF has a list of items I loved having for my three little ones. I have included more than the essentials. I also make book recommendations and comment on things I didn’t think that I needed.
What to bring to the hospital
Everything from essential items to the “nice to haves”! We also cover what the hospital provides so that you don’t bring duplicates unnecessarily. Very helpful for first time moms and partners, or anyone who needs a reminder for their second/third/fourth+++ baby!
Breastfeeding Resources
Ottawa Breastfeeds
This website has information about how to find a lactation consultant, how to rent a breast pump and how to store expressed breast milk.
Global Health Media
This website has fantastic instructional videos on breastfeeding, troubleshooting supply and pain issues and more.
Breastfeeding 101
This PDF covers all the information that I review at my breastfeeding education appointments. These are typically done at 36 weeks.
Local Ottawa Resources
Parenting in Ottawa
Ottawa Public Health offers great information about prenatal classes, breastfeeding resources, parenting drop-ins, and more! Click here to visit their website.
Mothercraft
Mothercraft offers prenatal classes, breastfeeding support and newborn/early childhood drop-ins. Located in Westboro.
Find your Local Community Health Centre (Ottawa)
This link helps you find your local community health centre. These centres offer free consultations with dieticians and lactation consultants and have resources for parents and children. I did great parent-baby music class at my local CHC.
Wanting to plan some activities for after baby is born? Here are some great drop-in programs that support you and your baby’s development.
Baby Time at your local Ottawa library is a wonderful way to meet other parents and to introduce music to your little one. Regular exposure to music and songs from an early age has been shown to help with baby’s language and social skills.
EarlyON Centres are free drop-ins for children 0-6 years old. They are facilitated by an early childhood educator. They are great for babies who are starting to move, for families with toddlers who need some activities when the baby arrives or for families who want to meet other parents. I only discovered these after my third pregnancy. I was missing out!
Want to play with some new toys to support your baby’s development but you’re not sure where to start? Let me introduce you to Toy Lending Libraries! An expert in childhood development will help you choose toys to borrow for up to two weeks. You can find these all over Ottawa.
And because I like to support local business, here are some links to my favourite Ottawa businesses for all of your baby needs