Below are a list of resources you may find helpful. The resources are organized by Pregnancy Resources (General Support, Mental Health, Medical Care) and Resources After Baby is Born (Breastfeeding, Community Support, Financial Support, Mental Health, Thrift Clothing Stores, Books, and workshops).
Pregnancy Resources
General Support
Hope For Women Pregnancy Services
Abbotsford & Langley
They provide a safe, confidential, and compassionate place for any woman who thinks she may be pregnant. Their services are free and include pregnancy tests, non-judgemental options, counselling, referrals to community resources, and ongoing friendship and support.
Nurse-Family Partnership
Province-wide
Nurse-Family Partnership is a free public health program for women in BC having their first baby. Women enrolled in the program are visited by a public health nurse throughout their pregnancy, continuing until their child reaches two years of age.
*Once you click on the link, please scroll to the bottom of the page to learn how to apply.
"Baby's Best Chance" Handbook
“Baby’s Best Chance” is a handbook provided by Fraser Health for all new parents.
This link is an online, PDF, version of the handbook that is available in multiple languages including:
English, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Punjabi, Spanish and Tagalog.
Best Beginnings
Fraser Health
Provides public health services to pregnant women, new moms, babies and children to age 2. Complete a brief questionnaire to get connected with resources and supports for a healthy pregnancy and baby.
Fraser Valley Child Development Centre
Fraser Valley
The Fraser Valley Child Development Centre, in partnership with parents and community, provides services to children 0-18 years with developmental delays and/or disabilities.
Telecare Crisis and Caring Line
Telecare provides telephone befriending, caring, and empathetic listening for people in moments of personal crisis or distress.
For Emotional, or Crisis Support Call:
604-852-9099 in Abbotsford and Mission
1-888-852-9099 toll free throughout British Columbia
or visit: www.telecarebc.com
Best For Babies
Located in Abbotsford, but open to residents of the Fraser Valley
A free Pregnancy Outreach Program at Archway Community Services funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Their Prenatal Nutrition Program assists pregnant women who do not typically access traditional prenatal services, offers support during pregnancy and for 6 months post-partum. Particular attention is paid to promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle
Here To Help
Online Support (Office located in Vancouver)
Find the information you need to manage mental health and learn how you can support a loved one.
Homepage: www.heretohelp.bc.ca
Mental Health
Guide to Coping with Anxiety During Pregnancy and Post-Birth
A cognitive behaviour therapy-based self-management workbook contributed to HereToHelp by our partners at the BC Reproductive Mental Health Program of BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services to help meet the needs of women with anxiety during their pregnancies and after birth.
BC Women's Hospital Reproductive Mental Health
A team of specialized and multidisciplinary professionals that offer individual, couples or group psychotherapy, and resources for women, their partners and families.
ProMentality Counselling & Wellness
In-person Office in Abbotsford and Surrey
Offering “pay what you can” counselling services both in person and virtually.
Medical Care
Abbotsford Maternity Group
Abbotsford
is a team of family physicians that manage care for you and your newborn from pregnancy to 6 weeks postpartum, at which time you will be transitioned back to the care of your family doctor. They manage all of their deliveries at Abbotsford Regional Hospital.
Mission Midwifery
Serves Abbotsford, Mission & Surrounding Areas – (Matsqui, Ruskin, Silverdale, Steelhead, Hatzic, Dewdney, Deroche, Leq’á:mel, Scowlitz, Lake Errock
manages care for you and your newborn from pregnancy to 6 weeks postpartum, at which time you will be transitioned back to the care of your family doctor.
Westcoast Health Collective
Abbotsford, Langley, Aldergrove & Mission
An integrative health practice with eight Registered Midwives and a Registered Massage Therapist.
Chilliwack Midwifery
A team of midwifes in Chilliwack that manage care for you and your newborn from pregnancy to 6 weeks postpartum, at which time you will be transitioned back to the care of your family doctor.
Fraser Birth Collaborative
Abbotsford
A collaborative group of physicians, midwives, registered nurses, lactation consultants, doulas, counsellors and allied health care providers committed to providing your family with pregnancy, birth and newborn care.
Abbotsford Midwifery
Serves Abbotsford, Mission, Aldergrove, Chilliwack, Agassiz & Rosedale
Manages care for you and your newborn from pregnancy to 6 weeks postpartum, at which time you will be transitioned back to the care of your family doctor.
Family First Midwifery
Chilliwack
Offers postpartum and breastfeeding support for mothers in Chilliwack for the first 6 weeks following their delivery.
All services are covered 100% under MSP.
Urgent care is available 24/7.
They offer home and clinic visits, feeding support, weight checks, jaundice checks, postpartum mood assessment, referrals to specialists and more!
After Baby Is Born
Breastfeeding Resources
Breastfeeding Basics
Breastfeeding Getting Started and Early Breastfeeding are PDFs information sheets that covers breastfeeding basics.
Early Days
Breastfeeding Hunger Cues and Breast Milk Storage are additional PDF information sheets to help in those early days if you are breastfeeding.
Common Issues
La Leche League Breastfeeding PDF and Kelly Mom Website provide more detailed information about common breastfeeding issues.
Community Services & Supports
New Beginnings Young Parent Program
Abbotsford
Offers resources, in-classroom highschool education, high quality childcare, parenting classes, and outreach services to young parents under age 24.
Abby Dads
Abbotsford
By Archway Community Services is actively involved in supporting dads moving toward healthier relationships with their families. We offer relationship-based training programs for dads such as Anger Awareness and Men in Relationships, and do attachment parenting programming for both parents, including Nobody’s Perfect.
Ministry of Child & Family Development
Province-wide
offers a wide range of programs and services to children, youth, parents, families, people with special needs, and those fighting addictions.
Better Beginnings
Chilliwack
Chilliwack Community Service program for women who are expecting. They offer support until the baby is 6 months old with a weekly group.
*Funding requires that they be connected before baby is born
Langley Food Bank
Langley
Available for families in need of support in the way of food.
Meadow Rose Society
Mission
Local non-profit organization offering free baby gear to moms and families in need.
Email: office@meadowrosesociety.com
Phone: 604-392-1133
Best Beginnings
Fraser Health
Best Beginnings program provides public health services to pregnant women, new moms, babies and children to age 2. Complete a brief questionnaire to get connected with resources and supports for a healthy pregnancy and baby.
Strong Start
Abbotsford
is a free, drop-in, parent participatory early learning program for preschool-aged children. A qualified early childhood educator leads activities, including stories, music and arts, to help children grow linguistically, emotionally and socially, and become comfortable in a school-like setting.
Fraser Valley Child Development Centre
Abbotsford, Mission & Chilliwack
in partnership with parents and community, provides services to children 0-18 years with developmental delays and/or disabilities through on-site services, outreach, consultation, and direct therapy.
Cyrus Centre
Abbotsford & Chilliwack
Serving youth and families in the Fraser Valley.
Balanced CoParenting Group
Mission
Learn to get along better with your child, solve problems with your co-parent, increase the harmony in your family and increase your own confidence.
For more information, please email:
louiset@missionmcss.com
Abbotsford Food Bank
by Archway Community Services provides supplemental food assistance and other supportive programs including monthly supplemental food hampers, free dental care at their on-site clinic, kids’ summer camps, seasonal fresh produce, special Christmas Hampers, and other exciting programs.
Inasmuch Society
Support for refugee claimants seeking asylum in Canada
Family Education Program
Abbotsford
Archway Community Services offers a variety of parenting course and group topics (such as anger, developing identity as a mom, raising a securely attached child, maximizing the early years, single motherhood, co-parenting, and more). Their facilitators bring a wealth of experience working with families and groups. They bring insight, information, and humour to their parenting courses within a caring and non-judgmental environment.
Abbotsford Public Health Unit
Abbotsford
provides information on child health, growth, and development, as well as services which include screening, assessment, referrals, immunizations, communicable disease control, and access to resource materials. They also offer prenatal and postnatal services, as well as programs that focus on health promotion.
Sara For Women
Mission & Abbotsford
is a non-profit registered charity providing outreach, housing, counselling, and crisis support for women and children.
Baby Steps
Mission
Families with children 0 – 24 months can meet other families with babies and gain support and access community services.
Archway Community Services
Abbotsford
Food bank, immigrant resources, family resources, parenting groups and more.
Langley Early Years Hubs
Langley has four Early Years Hub locations that provide a variety of early learning, cultural, and drop-in programs for families with children birth to 6 years.
Phone: 604-308-1584
Financial Support
Myself Serve BC
Learn what income resources may be available to you, apply for income assistance, and access your eligibility after completing an online questionnaire.
Canada Benefits
You can find which benefits or programs you may be eligible for after completing a brief questionnaire. The Benefits Finder may suggest benefits from federal, provincial or territorial governments.
Child and Family Benefits Calculator
You can use this calculator to see what child and family benefits you may be able to get and how much your payments may be.
Mental Health
Pacific Postpartum Support Society
offers a variety of free or low-cost postpartum and perinatal support services for moms, dads, and couples experiencing a difficult postpartum adjustment, including postpartum depression and anxiety. Support may be offered through phone, text, groups, or focused on what best fits your needs.
Postpartum Depression Self-Care Program
is a guide for both women and health professionals to help empower women struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety to make positive changes in their experience.
Postpartum Depression & Anxiety Info Sheet
is an information pamphlet to better understand this challenge that some new moms experience and help you through the challenge.
Guide to Coping With Depression During Pregnancy & Post-Birth
is a cognitive behaviour therapy-based self-management workbook contributed to HeretoHelp by our partners at the BC Reproductive Mental Health Program of BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services to help meet the needs of women with depression during their pregnancies and after birth.
Church Community Support
Northview Community Church
Campuses in Abbotsford & Mission
If you are looking for counselling, financial help, prayer, or to meet with a pastor, please fill out the “care form” on their website.
Central Heights Church
Abbotsford
Central Heights Church offers a dedicated Women’s Ministry, “Mom and me drop-in”, “Moms and tots drop in play time and other programs for women and families.
Sardis Community Church
Chilliwack
Sardis Community Church offers an emergency food program including diapers and wipes.
Visit their website for more information.
Parenting Books We’ve Found Helpful
Guide To Your Baby's First Years
No Drama Discipline
Parenting From The Inside Out
The Explosive Child
The Whole Brained Child
Hold On To Your Kids
Seminars and Workshops
Family Education Program
through Archway Community Services offers a variety of free parenting course and group topics (such as anger, developing identity as a mom, raising a securely attached child, maximizing the early years, single motherhood, co-parenting, and more). Their facilitators bring a wealth of experience working with families and groups. They bring insight, information, and humour to their parenting courses within a caring and non-judgmental environment.
Bringing Baby Home
is a paid 2-day relationship-building workshop for expecting couples, created by The Gottman Institute. Rooted in groundbreaking research, this workshop will offer couples a strong foundation for connecting with each other and their children. Join us as we laugh, learn and connect together. Whether you are becoming parents for the first time or the fifth, this workshop promises to give you the tools to build a happy family.