All moms now welcome in support group, says Labrador's Aboriginal Family Centre
Only Indigenous women had been eligible for pre- and post-natal services
The Aboriginal Family Centre in Happy–ValleyGoose Bay is opening its doors to more moms and offering longer support programs.
The Healthy Baby Club used to be for Indigenous women only, but that's changed.
"The real point of it being is that we want to be able to provide as much resource and supports [as we can] for pregnant moms across Labrador," says Arlene Michelin, who is resource mother with the club.
They may be feeling blue ... They may just need some little extra help.- Arlene Michelin
Group sessions are offered on a variety of topics that moms-to-be need to know, including nutrition, breastfeeding and car seat installation.
"Hopefully the moms start with us as early in their pregnancy as they possibly can," Michelin told CBC's Labrador Morning, adding the club typically follows new mothers for 12 weeks after giving birth.
But Michelin said it's important to recognize that some new moms need a little bit more of a helping hand.
The new initiative, launching in January, will allow for up to six months of support for women who had been part of the Healthy Baby Club.
"They may need supports around just, 'I have a new baby' and they may be feeling down, they may be feeling blue," said Michelin.
"They may just need some little extra help to kind of get them over this new huge transition period in their life."
What about dad?
For now, the Healthy Baby Club is just for women, but Michelin said women can bring a spouse, partner or friend to the sessions.
A fathers-only group is currently being considered, according to Michelin, after a new dad mentioned to her how helpful a group like that could be.
"The more information, the more resources we can provide … it's better all the way around for healthy families, healthy moms, healthy dads, healthy communities," said Michelin.
With files from John Gaudi