How and when can I access a Baby Bundle?
Congratulations! Becoming an expectant parent can be filled with emotions. You may be experiencing happiness and worry, excitement, and fear. These feelings are normal; they can exist at the same time. It is important that you are well supported from the beginning. Connecting with a trusted community member, relative, or support person (such as a Healthy Family Program worker) can be helpful during this time. You can also seek care from your health care provider at any time. You do not need to wait until the first prenatal visit.
On this page
- Connect with your community health centre or local clinic for prenatal care
- Receive the Baby Bundle around 30-32 weeks of pregnancy or at the first Well Child Visit
- Prepare for labour, birth and time in the hospital or birthing centre
- Receive support from your midwife, public health or community health nurse within 24-48 hours of returning home
Connect with your community health centre or local clinic for prenatal care
Prenatal care is health care during your pregnancy. It is available to all pregnant people and includes a series of visits where the health of you and the baby are assessed and supported. Prenatal care is an important time to discuss any concerns or questions you may have and to receive guidance and information so that you can feel confident making decisions before, during and after pregnancy.
The initial prenatal visit takes place between 6-12 weeks of pregnancy. Regular visits are scheduled:
- Every 4 weeks until 28 weeks pregnant (gestation)
- Then, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks pregnant
- Then, every week until birth
There are also other routine appointments for ultrasound, blood work, and other assessments.
In the Northwest Territories, prenatal care may be provided by a physician, nurse practitioner, midwife, and/or community health nurse. It is usually provided one-on-one, however, in some communities group prenatal programs are available.
Receive the Baby Bundle around 30-32 weeks of pregnancy or at the first Well Child Visit
The Baby Bundle is available to all parents and caregivers. It can be accessed before or after the baby is born.
When you are around 30 weeks pregnant, your prenatal appointment can include a discussion about the Baby Bundle. If you consent to receive the Baby Bundle, you will be provided with it at that prenatal visit. The Baby Bundle is provided before the baby arrives because it is often easier to review the information and organize baby items and supplies during this time rather than after the baby arrives when it can feel more stressful or overwhelming.
The Baby Bundle can also be accessed after the baby is born, at a Well Child Visit at your community health centre or public health office, or it can be discussed with other community-based supports, such as the Healthy Family Program.
It is best to access the Baby Bundle within the first six months of the baby being born as the items are specific to this age range.
Here is a full list of places in your community where you can access the Baby Bundle:
Beaufort Delta | Dehcho | Sahtu | South Slave | Tłicho | Yellowknife, Ndilo, Dettah
Beaufort Delta
Community | Health Centre / Clinic | Address |
---|---|---|
Aklavik |
Aklavik Health Centre | 2 Airport Road, P.O. Box 114, Aklavik, NT X0E 0A0 |
Fort McPherson |
Fort Mcpherson Health Centre | P.O. Box 56, Fort McPherson, NT X0E 0J0 |
Inuvik |
Inuvik Public Health | 106 Veterans Way (1st Floor), Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0 |
Paulatuk |
Paulatuk Health Centre | General Delivery, Paulatuk, NT X0E 1N0 |
Sachs Harbour |
Sachs Harbour Health Centre | General Delivery, Sachs Harbour, NT X0E 0Z0 |
Tsiigehtchic | Inuvik Public Health | 106 Veterans Way (1st Floor), Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0 |
Tuktoyaktuk |
Tuktoyaktuk Health Centre | Bag 1000, Tuktoyaktuk, NT X0E 1C0 |
Ulukhaktok |
Ulukhaktok Health Centre | P.O. Box 160, Ulukhaktok, NT X0E 0S0 |
Dehcho
Community | Health Centre / Clinic | Address |
---|---|---|
Fort Liard |
Fort Liard Health Centre | General Delivery, Fort Liard, NT X0G 0A0 |
Fort Providence |
Fort Providence Health Centre | P.O. Box 260, Fort Providence, NT X0E 0L0 |
Fort Simpson |
Fort Simpson Health Centre | P.O. Box 246, Fort Simpson, NT X0E 0N0 |
Jean Marie River |
Fort Simpson Health Centre | P.O. Box 246, Fort Simpson, NT X0E 0N0 |
Kakisa |
Hay River Regional Health Centre | 37911 Mackenzie Hwy, Hay River, NT X0E 0R6 |
Nahanni Butte |
Nahanni Butte Health Centre | General Delivery, Nahanni Butte, NT X0E 0N0 |
Sambaa K'e (Trout Lake) |
Fort Simpson Health Centre | P.O. Box 246, Fort Simpson, NT X0E 0N0 |
Wrigley |
Wrigley Health Centre | General Delivery, Wrigley, NT X0E 1E0 |
Sahtu
Community | Health Centre / Clinic | Address |
---|---|---|
Colville Lake |
Norman Wells Health Centre | 26 Woodland Avenue, P.O. Box 340, Norman Wells, NT X0E 0V0 |
Délı̨ne | Délı̨ne Health Centre | General Delivery, Délînê, NT X0E 0G0 |
Fort Good Hope | Fort Good Hope Health Centre | P.O. Box 9, Fort Good Hope, NT X0E 0H0 |
Norman Wells | Norman Wells Health Centre | 26 Woodland Avenue, P.O. Box 340, Norman Wells, NT X0E 0V0 |
Tulita | Tulita Health Centre | P.O. Box 145, Tulita, NT X0E 0K0 |
South Slave
Community | Health Centre / Clinic | Address |
---|---|---|
Enterprise |
Hay River Regional Health Centre | 37911 Mackenzie Hwy, Hay River, NT X0E 0R6 |
Fort Resolution | Fort Resolution Health Centre | P.O. Box 1997, Fort Resolution, NT X0E 0M0 |
Fort Smith | Fort Smith Health Centre | 41 Breynet Street, Fort Smith, NT X0E 0P0 |
Hay River | Hay River Regional Health Centre | 37911 Mackenzie Hwy, Hay River, NT X0E 0R6 |
Łutsel K’e | Łutsel K’e Health Centre | P.O. Box 56, Łutselk'e, NT X0E 1A0 |
Tłicho
Community | Health Centre / Clinic | Address |
---|---|---|
Behchokǫ̀ |
Behchokǫ̀ Health Centre | Bag #5, Behchokǫ̀, NT X0E 0Y0 |
Gamètı̀ | Gamètı̀ Health Centre | General Delivery, Gamètì, NT X0E 1R0 |
Wekweètı̀ | Wekweètı̀ Health Centre | General Delivery, Wekweètì, NT X0E 1W0 |
Whatı̀ | Whatı̀ Health Centre | General Delivery, Whatì, NT X0E 1P0 |
Yellowknife, Ndilo, Dettah
Community | Health Centre / Clinic | Address |
---|---|---|
Yellowknife, Ndilo and Dettah |
Frame Lake Community Health Clinic |
312 Old Airport Road, Yellowknife, NT |
Yellowknife Primary Care Centre | 4915 48th Street (YK Centre Mall), Yellowknife, NT |
If you are not sure where to get a Baby Bundle, please email babybundle@gov.nt.ca.
Prepare for labour, birth and time in the hospital or birthing centre
It can be helpful to plan items that you may want to take with you if you have to travel to give birth and/or for your stay at the hospital or birthing centre. Many of the items and resources in the Baby Bundle can support your journey to welcome the new baby as well as support the first few days after you have your baby while you are still in the health facility.
Receive support from your midwife, public health or community health nurse within 24-48 hours of returning home
Once you are discharged from the hospital or birthing centre you will be cared for by a health care provider in your community. This may be a public health nurse, community health nurse or a midwife (for the first 6 weeks after the arrival of baby). It is best if you make sure that your health care provider knows that you are home so that your postpartum visit and baby check-up can be planned.
The postpartum period is a time of great change where you and your baby are learning about each other. Your health care provider will provide support with breastfeeding and infant feeding, assess how the baby is growing and developing, and provide you with information as you navigate life as a parent. These Well Child visits are an important space where you can ask questions and discuss the development and well-being of your baby.