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.
Prenatal and Maternal Health
Doulas
A doula provides emotional, physical and spiritual support for expectant mothers and their families during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period.
Building on the role of the traditional Aunty, First Nation and Aboriginal doulas can help expectant mothers and their families in honouring the traditional and spiritual practices and beliefs associated with maternity care. They can also support language and cultural needs.
Recruiting or Becoming a Doula?
These two FNHA documents outline important things to consider if you are planning to recruit or retain a doula, or thinking about becoming a doula:
Financial Support
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, the FNHA and the BC Ministry of Health has a grant program whose goal is to provide Indigenous families living in BC with up to $1,000 of coverage for full spectrum doula support with each pregnancy.
Infant Health
Early Childhood Development
Parents and Families
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BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) – often has programs for parents, children, and pregnant women
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BC Council for Families – a source of dependable, current information and advice including parenting programs, online information, and online discussion groups for parents
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First Nations Parents Club – helps support parents with educational success
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Healthy Families BC – Parenting is an online resource for all British Columbians with information about pregnancy and parenting
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Metis Family Services – provides services for parents
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The National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH) – a source of reliable, current information of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis child, youth, and family health
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Family Connections: A resource booklet about bonding with your child for First Nations and Métis parents in BC
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Growing Up: A resource booklet about healthy children for First Nations and Métis parents in BC
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Parents as First Teachers: A resource booklet about how children learn for First Nations and Métis parents in BC
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Fatherhood is Forever: A resource booklet about fathering for First Nations and Métis parents in BC