Pregnancy, Labour & Childbirth Online Course(s) & Continuing Education

Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is a common presentation representing a significant health problem in perinatal care. Although the etiology of PPGP is yet to be fully elucidated, the state of the science regarding PPGP has evolved substantially over the last decade. Despite this, care of PPGP remains poor as the the uptake of this evolution remains limited. Increasingly, PPGP is associated with significant maternal morbidity extending to implications for the whole family unit. As such, PPGP should be regarded as a priority among all relevant health care professionals and such professionals need themselves to be up to date with current research in order to optimally assist those they care for.

Despite recent clinical practice guidelines acknowledging the need to shift away from viewing this pain presentation through a biomechanical lens, the biomechanical narrative remains and is to the detriment of those with PPGP. The majority of currently utilized care strategies for PPGP are not supported by current clinical practice guidelines or recommended practice perspectives. The impetus of the recent publication of “Reframing beliefs and instilling facts for contemporary management of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain”, with associated infographic, was to facilitate the needed knowledge mobilization on this topic. This presentation will allow you to update your practices to align with recent research and new recommendations for best practice.

Acupressure is an ancient Chinese technique based on the principle of acupuncture, which involves the use of finger pressure (without a needle) on acupuncture points situated on the meridians. Applying pressure to these acupressure points will increase the production of oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, and endorphins. This is important during labour as it aids relaxation and reduces the perception of pain. Acupressure is a non-invasive technique. It is an accessible, effective and safe birthing tool for midwives and support people and promotes partner involvement. As it is drug free, it does not have harmful teratogenic effects, thus providing a much safer and satisfying childbirth experience. In addition to this, it is proven that touch during labour enhances the childbirth experience in as much as it reduces pain. By facilitating physiological births it also reduces the need for epidurals and C sections.

Promoting these skills and using acupressure techniques during labour enables professionals to offer women a wider range of choice in how to manage pain relief. Therefore, the use of acupressure offers a positive and non-traumatic birthing experience, provides a more general sense of wellbeing, empowers women and strengthens relationships with the midwife and the support people.

Acupressure is the application of pressure to acupuncture points. It originates in ancient traditional Chinese medicine, based on the concept of meridians or channels carrying QI , or energy, throughout the body. In good health Qi moves smoothly, through the channels, however excess, deficiency or blockage of Qi may cause pain and illness.

Acupressure is used as a technique for unblocking these occlusions, and restore good health. The stimulation of these points has effects on blood flow to the uterus, cervical dilatation movement of the baby, release of endorphins and oxytocin helping the mother to relax, promoting physical and emotional wellbeing. Acupressure can be used from 37 weeks to encourage beneficial hormonal responses for labour preparation and encourage the baby to move into an optimal position. Learn more about the results of recent research on the use of acupressure during labour and delivery and how acupressure can be incorporated into your care of clients.

A certificate in midwifery acupuncture has been available in New Zealand since 2007. This short course was specifically developed for midwives and run through an acupuncture school. Midwives successfully completing this qualification receive elective education points and may incorporate acupuncture into their midwifery practice. In June 2008, a maternity acupuncture service began operating within the Hutt Valley Hospital outpatient department, offering women access to free acupuncture care for pregnancy and postpartum period. This was the first and, to date, the only clinic of this type within a New Zealand hospital. This clinic is also run through The New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, with fourth year students providing treatment under supervision. This presentation reports on how acupuncture is used by the New Zealand midwives and in this outpatient’s clinic. It will also cover the current evidence base for acupuncture in pregnancy and the postpartum period.

ADHD impacts 1/30 females, and stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed medications during pregnancy, with an estimated 1% exposure prevalence. Research on ADHD and pregnancy is emerging and imperfect but shows that there are risks to the birther and fetus. Midwives need to be aware of the impacts of ADHD on pregnancy, and the risks and benefits of medication during pregnancy and lactation. Midwives, particularly those working in the continuity of care model, are well positioned to offer education and referrals regarding non-pharmaceutical supports and strategies for managing ADHD in pregnancy.

Attendees will come to understand the underlying physiology behind antenatal surveillance methods, including non-stress testing, biophysical profiling, amniotic fluid assessment, and fetal Doppler velocimetry. Many pregnant families have difficulty understanding the nature of antenatal fetal surveillance, and have even more challenge deciphering the results. This lecture will help practitioners effectively counsel pregnant patients on result interpretation and provide tools to help families make educated decisions based on the antenatal fetal surveillance results.

Beneath the surface of every labor and delivery room interaction between physicians, nurses, and patients (as well as their partners) vibrate the pressures of power. Who is in charge? Regardless of the stated beliefs or legal truth about who IS in charge, the dance between the characters in the labor room often plays out archetypally. Archetypes are a recurrent symbol or motif found in literature, art, or mythology that live within the unconscious influencing how individuals behave, think, and feel. While many archetypal energies are possible during labor, the dominant archetypal energies active in a labor room tend to vacillate between that of Caretaker, Orphan, Ruler, Hero, Innocent, and Warrior. Nurses, often drawn to the career to help others, connect with the Caretaker archetype. However, due in part to hierarchical structures within the hospital setting, nurses can be left feeling unseen, undervalued, or powerless activating the Orphan archetype. Comparable patterns can be observed in obstetricians with the Ruler and Hero and in parents with the Innocent and Warrior archetypes. Without consciousness of the power dynamics between these archetypal energies, satisfaction in both the process and outcome is often fleeting for parents and can lead to burnout in professionals. Greater understanding of the needs of each activated archetype provides individuals needed guidance in how to better navigate labor room power dynamics and why doing so matters profoundly.

For health care officials aromatherapy is becoming a tool many clients and patients are relying on, learn what can be used to support clients and patients safely. Often with any sudden popularity with a modality unsafe practices can be found and safe information needs to be available to health practitioners. Learn what essential oils and aromatherapy is and how you can explore the health benefits of this modality with your clients.

Aromatherapy in Midwifery Practice: Clinical Pearls" will highlight the most important uses for aromatherapy during the perinatal period, from the moment of conception through the first month of postpartum. This discussion will begin with a short introduction to aromatherapy which will include the primary methods of essential oil application, a brief overview of why aromatherapy is an effective natural therapy, and key safety considerations that are unique for use during maternity.

Following the introduction, for each specific indication discussed, participants will learn the recommended method of application, essential oil options, safety considerations, dilution ratios, and frequency of application. These "clinical pearl" guidelines will be derived from overlapping evidence-based research, anecdotal evidence, and personal experience to ensure both safe and effective use. The presentation will end with practical advice on how to walk away being able to safely and effectively apply essential oils for at least 10 specific indications that are common during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

There is growing evidence that fear of childbirth (FOC) is an issue of importance for women’s emotional and psychological well-being. For some women symptoms are severe and disabling. A previous traumatic birth experience, sexual abuse, and traumatic childbirth stories of others and media may contribute to fear of giving birth.

Fear of childbirth has negative implications for women’s experiences of pregnancy and birth including longer labour, increased likelihood of augmentation of labour, emergency caesarean section, and elective caesarean section.

Access to services for women with fear of childbirth appears to be inequitable and various approaches and interventions are used. Assessment tools are available and readily implemented in practice to identify women fearful of childbirth and the severity of fear feelings, however a trauma informed approach to talking with fearful women is essential to discover the factors related to the fear and the commencement of a therapeutic relationship.

There is some evidence about interventions to help women fearful of childbirth. The webinar will assist midwives and nurses working in maternity know how to respond to fearful women and provide practical information about what to do, what to say and what not to say to support women experiencing fear of childbirth.