​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​About the Program

The Maternal and Child Health program aims to support pregnant First Nations women to experience healthy pregnancies, and to support parents of infants and young children and their families in helping children to develop optimally into adulthood. 

For a complete description of the program, including objectives and components, see the FNHA Programs and Services guide (page 35).​

Prenatal and Maternal Health

• Breastfeeding Wellness Teachings for Mothers, Families and Communities ​(FNHA posters)
  
• First Nations Health Benefits Coverage: Pregnancy and Infant Care​ (FNHA Guide)​​​
  
• Videos for New Moms Ser​​​ies (FNHA) 
  
• Tips for Preventing a Birth before 37 Weeks of Pregnancy (FNHA poster) (8.5 x 11 inches) (11 x 14 inches) ​ ​
  
• Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program – provides support to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women, new mothers and babies facing challenging life circumstances
• BC Association of Pregnancy Outreach Programs (BCAPOP)
  

Infant Health​

• HealthLink BC Safe Sleeping for Babies
• Healthy Baby Healthy Brain – a parent website about early brain development
• Honouring Indigenous Women's and Families' Pregnancy Journeys: A practice resource to support improved perinatal care created by aunties, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and daughters​​​ (Perinatal Services BC) 
• La Leche League Canada – encourages, promotes and provides mother-to-mother breastfeeding support and educational opportunities

Early Childhood Dev​elopment

• Aboriginal Infant Development Program – works together with families to support the growth and development of young children
• Aboriginal Supported Child Development – a program for children with developmental delays or disabilities and their families
• Aboriginal Head Start Association of British Columbia (AHSABC)​ – provides programs that support early childhood development, school readiness, and family health and wellness for children from birth to six years old​​
• Canadian Physical Activity Guide for the Early Years – gives some guidelines for physical activity for children
• Community Action Program for Children – promotes the healthy development of young children (0-6) who are living in conditions of risk
• Preschoolers: Building a Sense of Security​ – BC HealthLink fact sheet

Parents and Families

• BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) – often has programs for parents, children, and pregnant women
• BC Council for Families​ – a source of dependable, current information and advice including parenting programs, online information, and online discussion groups for parents
• First Nations Parents Club – helps support parents with educational success
• Healthy Families BC – Parenting is an online resource for all British Columbians with information about pregnancy and parenting
• ​Metis Family Services – provides services for parents
• The National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (NCCAH) – a source of reliable, current information of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis child, youth, and family health