Resource Library
Trusted information, in one place
Carefully chosen, evidence-based resources from recognised professional bodies, government health services and peer-reviewed research — covering pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, newborn care, mental health and community support.
IPEA Resource Library
Trusted, evidence-based resources for your journey
Every link below comes from a recognised professional body, government health service or peer-reviewed source, and each one has been checked. Choose a topic to open it. Links open in a new tab.
Pregnancy and Prenatal Care
- Your Pregnancy – Pregnancy Info (SOGC)
Canada’s obstetricians and gynaecologists explain each stage of pregnancy in plain language. - Pregnancy – Public Health Agency of Canada
Federal hub covering prenatal care, nutrition, medications and risks. - Pregnancy and Babies – Caring for Kids (CPS)
Paediatrician-reviewed handouts on pregnancy and newborn health. - Eating Well in Pregnancy – Unlock Food
Registered dietitian guidance on nutrition throughout pregnancy. - MotherToBaby
Free, evidence-based answers about medication and exposure safety in pregnancy and lactation. - WHO Recommendations on Antenatal Care
The global standard for what good prenatal care should include. - Find a Midwife – Association of Ontario Midwives
Search for a registered midwife anywhere in Ontario. - Family-Centred Maternity and Newborn Care: National Guidelines
Canada’s national standard of care — useful for knowing what to expect and what to ask for.
Labour, Birth and Informed Decision-Making
- Birth – Pregnancy Info (SOGC)
Stages of labour, pain relief options and common interventions explained. - SOGC Clinical Practice Guidelines
The guidelines your Canadian maternity care providers actually follow. - WHO Intrapartum Care for a Positive Childbirth Experience
Global evidence on respectful, effective care during labour and birth. - NICE Guidance: Fertility, Pregnancy and Childbirth
Rigorously graded evidence-based guidelines used internationally. - Cochrane Library – Browse Reviews by Topic
The gold standard for systematic reviews of pregnancy and childbirth research.
Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding
- Breastfeeding Committee for Canada
National authority on the Baby-Friendly Initiative and breastfeeding standards. - La Leche League Canada
Free peer support, local groups and a national breastfeeding helpline. - Breastfeeding Your Baby – Public Health Agency of Canada
Practical federal guidance on getting started and keeping going. - Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants: Birth to Six Months
Joint Health Canada, CPS and Dietitians of Canada infant feeding recommendations. - Breastfeeding – Caring for Kids (CPS)
Paediatric guidance on latch, supply and common early problems. - Breastfeeding – World Health Organization
Global recommendations and the evidence behind them. - International Lactation Consultant Association
The professional body for IBCLCs, with a directory to find one near you.
Newborn Care: Sleep, Crying, Safety and Bonding
- Your Newborn: Bringing Baby Home – CPS
What to expect in the first days and weeks at home with your baby. - Safe Sleep for Babies – CPS
Evidence-based guidance on sleep position, surface and surroundings. - Safe Sleep – Health Canada
Federal safe sleep advice plus crib and sleep product safety. - Colic and Crying – CPS
Why babies cry, what actually helps, and when to seek help. - Healthy Sleep for Your Baby and Child – CPS
Realistic, developmentally appropriate expectations for infant sleep. - Car Seats – Parachute Canada
Canada’s injury prevention authority on choosing, installing and using car seats. - Safe Sleep – American Academy of Pediatrics
The AAP’s current safe infant sleep recommendations. - Baby: Ages and Stages – HealthyChildren.org
Parent-facing paediatric guidance across the whole first year.
Perinatal Mental Health and Support for Partners
- PCMCH Care Pathway for the Management of Perinatal Mental Health
Ontario’s clinical pathway for screening and managing perinatal mental health. - Edinburgh Postpartum Depression
The standard self-screening questionnaire for depression in pregnancy and after birth. - Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 question Survey (GAD-7)
A short, validated self-screen for anxiety symptoms. - Postpartum Support International (PSI)
International helpline, peer support groups and a provider directory. - Coping with Depression in Pregnancy and Following the Birth (Here to Help)
A free self-help workbook for depression during pregnancy and postpartum. - Managing Depression Workbook (Best Start)
Practical Ontario workbook for managing perinatal depression. - Pregnancy is Not Always What You Expect (Best Start)
Support for when pregnancy brings unexpected emotional challenges. - The Mindfulness App
Free guided meditations for stress, sleep and daily calm. - Help for Dads – Postpartum Support International
Signs, support and resources for fathers and partners struggling after a baby arrives. - Find Help – Canadian Mental Health Association
Locate your nearest CMHA branch and the programs it offers.
Infant Mental Health and Early Brain Development
- The Brain Story – Alberta Family Wellness Initiative
The science of early brain development, stress and resilience, told in plain language. - Brain Story Certification – Alberta Family Wellness Initiative
A free, self-paced course on brain development and its lifelong impact. - Center on the Developing Child – Harvard University
The leading research centre translating the science of early childhood development. - Key Concepts in Early Childhood Development – Harvard
Short explainers on serve and return, toxic stress, resilience and executive function. - Zero to Three
Evidence-based guidance on the social and emotional development of babies and toddlers.
Community Supports in Ontario
- Find an EarlyON Child and Family Centre
Free drop-in programs for parents and children under six. - Healthy Babies Healthy Children
Free home visiting and support for eligible Ontario families. - Ontario Public Health Units
Directory for local prenatal, breastfeeding and postpartum services. - Health811
Free, confidential access to a registered nurse, 24 hours a day. - 211 Ontario
Round-the-clock navigation to local social, financial and community services. - Find Help – Canadian Mental Health Association
Locate your nearest CMHA branch and the programs it offers.
Research and Clinical Guidelines
- SOGC Guidelines and JOGC
Canadian obstetric clinical practice guidelines and the national journal. - CPS Position Statements and Practice Points
Canadian Paediatric Society clinical guidance on newborn and infant care. - Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health
Ontario’s maternal-child care pathways, standards and quality work. - BORN Ontario
Ontario’s birth registry and perinatal data resource. - Maternal and Infant Health – Public Health Ontario
Ontario evidence reviews, surveillance data and public health guidance. - Cochrane Library
Systematic reviews synthesising the perinatal evidence base. - PubMed
Free search across the biomedical and life sciences literature. - Maternal Health – World Health Organization
Global guidelines, data and evidence on maternal health. - NICE Guidance
Evidence-graded clinical guidelines from the UK. - ACOG Clinical
Clinical guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.