Supporting families, empowering providers: How the Pregnancy and Newborn Library Guide is a lifeline that replaces confusion with clarity

A few weeks ago, Nova Scotia Health introduced the Pregnancy and Newborn Library Guide - a digital hub offering trusted, evidence-based information to support families and healthcare providers across Nova Scotia. As the guide continues to roll out, its real-world implications are clear. 

Healthcare leaders, Tanya LeBlanc-Earle and Hayley Gouthro, are already seeing how the guide is changing conversations, building confidence and creating more consistent support no matter where or how a family’s journey begins. 

“No two pregnancies are the same,” Tanya reminds us. “But every parent deserves access to the same quality of support, wherever they are in the province.” With more than 27 years in maternal and newborn care, Tanya serves as health services manager for the Women & Children’s Unit at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre. She knows just how joyful, but overwhelming, this season of life can be. 

“Having a baby is a time filled with emotions - joy, excitement, but also worry and uncertainty,” she shares. “New parents often have so many questions, and it’s crucial to provide them with trusted sources of information.” That’s exactly what the Pregnancy and Newborn Library Guide was built for. From prenatal care to the postpartum period, it brings together clear, accurate resources in one place, making it easier for families to make informed decisions. 

For Hayley Gouthro, the guide is more than a resource. It’s a lifeline that replaces confusion with clarity. “Too often, families turn to online searches or social media and get conflicting advice,” she explains. “This guide provides one trusted location where we know the information is accurate, up-to-date, and aligned with best practices.” 

Hayley works in neonatal intensive care and serves on the Perinatal, Newborn and Pediatrics Advisory Committee. She says it’s vital that there’s a trusted, thorough and reliable resource available for families. “Every day, we witness the raw emotions of families—hope, fear, joy and sometimes uncertainty,” she says. “We have the responsibility to guide them through that with the right information and support.”  

Having the guide online means more Nova Scotians have access to it. “It ensures families have consistent, reliable information no matter where they deliver, whether in Cape Breton or the (Annapolis) Valley,” Tanya explains. “It also helps our care teams, especially newer nurses, feel more confident and supported in educating patients.” 

And the impact goes both ways - supporting healthcare teams while also empowering families. 

“It helps set realistic expectations and reduces anxiety,” Hayley says. “When families are well-informed, they face the journey with more peace of mind.” 

Looking ahead, both Tanya and Hayley hope the guide becomes a routine part of care conversations across the province. “We want this to be a go-to tool,” Tanya says. “Something patients find valuable and want to share with others.”  

“It’s a step forward in family-centered care,” Hayley adds. “And it reflects what healthcare should be: consistent, compassionate and informed.” 

We will continue to update and expand this guide to provide clear, comprehensive resources, including important information for those experiencing pregnancy loss. 

Explore the resources in the Pregnancy and Newborn Care guide through the link here.