Developed by Perinatal Services BC (PSBC), part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), the new website offers reliable information and tools on pregnancy, birth, postpartum and newborn care in one accessible place. Parents and caregivers can explore resources anytime, from anywhere in the province, knowing the content reflects the best available clinical guidance and provincial standards.

“Access to high-quality prenatal education is linked to healthier pregnancies, safer births, and stronger starts for newborns," said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “The Pregnancy & Parent Learning Centre will give parents and caregivers across BC the knowledge and tools they need to care for their babies with confidence—helping set children up for happy, healthy lives."

The Learning Centre was informed by more than 70 perinatal health providers and educators from across BC, alongside Indigenous leaders and people with lived experience of pregnancy and early parenting. This collaboration ensured the content is both clinically accurate and grounded in the diverse realities of families across the province.

“Research shows that prenatal education reduces anxiety, builds confidence, and supports healthier pregnancies and births," said Dr. Maureen O'Donnell, Executive Vice President, Provincial Clinical Policy, Planning & Partnerships, PHSA. “By making this information free and accessible, we hope to give every family the tools they need to feel informed and supported."

"Knowing that the Pregnancy & Parent Learning Centre was developed and reviewed by a wide range of health care providers and health experts, we can confidently recommend this online resource to the families we are caring for," says Lisa Sutherland, primary maternity care lead - midwifery, PSBC.

Indigenous health care providers, patient partners, and PSBC's Indigenous Patient and Client Voices Circle played a key role in ensuring Indigenous-specific resources and culturally safe approaches were included.

 Covering a wide range of topics — from perinatal mental health and well-being to infant feeding and labour preparation, the content is easy to navigate and written in clear, supportive language, making it a trusted companion for families as they welcome a new baby.​

“By gathering different viewpoints and experiences at every stage, the Perinatal Services BC team has truly incorporated all considerations and feedback into the Learning Centre," says Ishra Gill, a member of the parent partner group involved in the project. “Our ultimate goal was to ensure there is a strong digital resource to support and equip British Columbians in their pregnancy and parenting journeys." 

Additional quotes:

“It has been very exciting to be part of the BC team that thoughtfully put together a comprehensive, easy to read prenatal education that can be used by anyone who wants to know more about pregnancy and parenting," says Dr. Marianne Morgan, primary care medical lead, PSBC. “As a primary care provider, I am thrilled that patients and families will be able to access the same compassionate, evidence informed pregnancy, birth, and parenting education from anywhere in the province."

 Quick facts:

• The prenatal education on the PSBC Pregnancy & Parent Learning Centre covers the period from conception to six weeks postpartum.
  
• Educational content in the Learning Centre is organized into four “journeys": Pregnancy, Labour & Birth, Postpartum & Newborn Care and Infant Feeding.
  
• The Learning Centre is free to access; only an email address is required to sign up.
  

• The Learning Centre aligns with existing provincial health promotion resources for expecting parents/caregivers and offers additional content and learning opportunities. 
  

• Content on the Learning Centre will be updated to align with provincial standards and clinical guidance.

• ​New educational topics will be added to the Learning Centre based on feedback and future, identified needs from perinatal health care providers, educators and platform users.
• ​The development of the Learning Centre aligns with recommendations and objectives from Health Quality BC's Perinatal Quality Standard, the 2021 BC Maternity Services Strategy as well as British Columbia's Population and Public Health Framework: Strengthening Public Health.

Learn more:

• Visit the PSBC Pregnancy & Parent Learning Centre: https://learningcentre.perinatalservicesbc.ca/
  
• Learn about the priority areas for perinatal care improvement in British Columbia in the Perinatal Quality Standard: https://healthqualitybc.ca/resources/perinatal-quality-standard/  

Perinatal Services BC (PSBC) provides leadership, support, and coordination for the strategic planning of perinatal services in British Columbia and is the central source in the province for evidence-informed perinatal information. PSBC is a Health Improvement Network of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) provides specialized health care services and programs to communities across British Columbia, the territories of many distinct First Nations. We are grateful to all the First Nations who have cared for and nurtured this land for all time, including the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səlil̓w̓ətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations on whose unceded and ancestral territory our head office is located. We work in partnership with other B.C. health authorities and the provincial government to deliver province-wide solutions that improve the health of British Columbians. For more information, visit www.phsa.ca or follow us @PHSAofBC.

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