Anatomy & Physiology of Pregnancy & Birth Online Course(s) & Continuing Education
Access the latest clinical skills and research for Anatomy & Physiology of Pregnancy & Birth for PREGNANCY, LABOUR & CHILDBIRTH professional training. These Anatomy & Physiology of Pregnancy & Birth online courses provide practice-changing skills and valuable perspectives from leading global experts. This Anatomy & Physiology of Pregnancy & Birth education has been accredited for a variety of CEUs / CERPs and can be accessed on-demand, at your own pace.
Grace Abruzzo PT, DPT, CAPP-OB, CD(DONA), PYT-C, (she/they) is a licensed physical therapist and trauma healer specializing in pelvic health. A certified specialist in obstetric and pelvic physical therapy, Dr. Grace uses an integrative approach to treating people in preparation and recovery from childbirth, conception, menstruation and menopause. Dr. Grace also spends time in birthing spaces, supporting mamas during labor and birth.
Dr. Grace utilizes an integrative approach to wellness, which includes interventions like education; manual therapeutic techniques, including visceral, myofascial, and internal pelvic mobilizations; yoga therapy; meditation practice; Compassionate Inquiry TM, and Somatic Experiencing TM.
Having a strong understanding of pelvic and vulvovaginal anatomy and physiology is crucial to help prepare the birthing body for childbirth. Whether preparing for homebirth, birthing center, or hospital setting, prevention of injury of the birthing person supports a healing and positive birthing and post-partum experience. Deepen your knowledge of the fascia, pelvic joints, muscles and nerves in the pelvis and learn what the latest research tells us about positioning for labour and birth, spontaneous pushing and perineal preparation and common myths.
Yesenia (she/her) graduated from Bastyr University in 2013 with a Master of Science in Midwifery. Bastyr University, a natural medicine school, offers the only regionally accredited Master’s degree for direct- entry midwifery in the nation. She balances this scientific education with ancestral and intuitive knowledge and a respect for informed choice. Currently based in San Antonio, Yesenia is opening her own homebirth practice, Alumbramiento Midwifery, and is active in American Indians of Texas as a Family Health and Wellness Specialist. In addition, she serves on the Midwives Alliance of North America Board as Director of Professional Development.
Midwifery is a vehicle to bring positive change into the world. In order for that to happen, we need midwives who are as diverse and the people they hope to serve. In precepting midwifery students, she has strived to be compassionate and exacting to graduate capable midwives who will be a credit to the communities they serve.
In her free time, you may find her walking with her pup, Yoli, reading, doing crossword puzzles or enjoying good food and company. If she is off-call, chances are she is traveling the world to gain different perspectives on life.
Topic: Navigating Intergenerational Apprenticeships - [View Abstract]
Topic: Thyroid in Pregnancy - [View Abstract]
This presentation will cover the importance of sleep in pregnancy, average sleep in each trimester and the effects of lower quality and duration of sleep as well as sleep position. Lower sleep quality and shorter duration of sleep has been linked with preterm birth, prenatal and postpartum depression, while supine sleep position in third trimester has been linked with stillbirth. We will explore what the research says about causality and pathways as well as how we can educate our clients to modify sleep behavior and potentially limit their risk of these outcomes.
Parental Age and Mental Health Outcomes in Children- What Do We Know and Where to From Here?
Jessica is a Clinical Psychologist and Post-Doctoral Research Fellow. Her research interests are in mental health in childhood and adolescence, maternal mental health, and nutrition and lifestyle in mothers and young infants. Her major research projects to date have included an investigation of the influence of parental age on mental health problems in children and adolescents, and an investigation of key predictors of mental health outcomes in a cohort of Western Australian children. She completed Master of Psychology (Clinical) and Doctor of Philosophy degrees at the University of Western Australia in 2015. In 2011, she was named as an inaugural member of the ISSBD Jacobs Foundation Early Career Scholar Fellows. Jessica currently works at the Telethon Kids Institute developing a comprehensive lifestyle intervention program for women and their infants postpartum. In her work as a psychologist, Jess has a particular interest in working with personality disorders and mental health after traumatic life events.
Across the western world, there is a significant trend toward older parenthood. Advanced maternal and paternal ages have been associated with adverse biological outcomes for offspring. However, older parenthood has also been associated with a number of other psychosocial factors, such as socioeconomic status, readiness and preparedness for parenthood, and social support, which may plausibly be of benefit in childrearing. There is now a significant body of literature investigating the impacts of older parental age on offspring health and behavioral outcomes. However, more work, including further longitudinal cohort studies and qualitative studies of the reasons why individuals are delaying parenthood must be conducted. This lecture will outline key findings form the literature regarding outcomes for offspring of older parents, will articulate methods for investigating these complex relationships, and will outline evidence from qualitative literature investigating the experience of older mothers in childbearing and rearing.
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Pelvic Floor Health: Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond
Heather is a Registered Midwife and Physiotherapist, passionate about improving women’s health. She is completing PhD studies at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS): her research focus is women’s ‘pelvic floor health’ in the workforce. Heather’s study forms part of an Australian Research Council and NSW Nurses and Midwives Association funded project: Fit for the Future, investigating the health of nurses and midwives. She has been awarded funding from the Australian Bladder Foundation and has authored several peer-reviewed publications: https://www.uts.edu.au/staff/heather.pierce
Heather lectured at UTS in the Bachelor of Midwifery program (2007- 2016) and worked with the Continence Foundation of Australia and the Australian College of Midwives on the ELearning course: Continence promotion: the importance of the midwife. She is current Chief Australian Delegate to the International Organization for Physiotherapists in Women’s Health, and immediate past National Chair of Continence and Women’s Health Physiotherapy Australia (2014 - 2016).
Knowledge of pelvic floor health is important for the optimal care of women during pregnancy, birth and in the postpartum period, and for nurses’ and midwives’ self-care. This presentation will outline what pelvic floor health is, the major risk factors for dysfunction and evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and management of symptoms.
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Susan Winograd, PT, owns and operates a private Pelvic Health and
Wellness practice in Boca Raton, Florida called Pelvicore Rehab LLC.
She specializes in Woman's Health, Men’s Health issues, and
Pre and Postnatal Care.
She has earned a Scar Release therapy Certification from Acumed
and is certified in the Wurn Technique and Clear Passage Approach.
Susan earned a masters degree from the College of Staten Island in
1998. In her 22 years of clinical experience she has gained extensive
knowledge in the treatment of various populations such as orthopedics,
manual therapy, geriatrics, pediatrics and men/women's pelvic dysfunction,
and prenatal/postpartum care.
She has continued her post graduate educate through seminars with
The Herman and Wallace Institute, MPS Scar Release Therapy, Myofascial
Release, The institute for Birth Healing, Clear Passage Therapies, and is pursuing education in Cranial Sacral therapy with the Upledger Institute
and Total Body Balancing with the D’Ambrogio Institute.
Susan enjoys teaching workshops throughout South Florida on pelvic
health and wellness related topics.
Her hands-on treatment approach of treating the whole person has
often led her to discover the primary or contributing cause of pain,
dysfunction, or imbalance was pelvic floor related.
Her passion and commitment now is treating, healing, and educating
her patients and healthcare providers with pelvic floor dysfunction using a
whole body approach to relieve pain, restore optimal function, and
improve quality of life.
She is committed to providing the highest quality of individualized
that care that every patient deserves.
Topic: The Fourth Trimester: Postpartum Healing and Recovery - [View Abstract]
Topic: The Pelvic Floor and the Core; A Dynamic Duo - [View Abstract]
Pregnancy is one of the most magnificent things that a woman can experience. The ability of our bodies to accommodate and nurture a growing baby inside the womb is fascinating and beautiful, however, it does cause significant changes in our body that can cause moms to experience aches, pains and leaks. A Pelvic health physical therapist can help moms enjoy pregnancy by helping them stay fit, healthy, and pain free as their body, hormones, and posture changes throughout pregnancy. Maintaining musculoskeletal, postural, and pelvic balance will allow moms to stay comfortable and supported during pregnancy and facilitate the quickest and most efficient recovery post partum. A midwife can be instrumental in encouraging their clients to maintain pelvic health and wellness throughout pregnancy.
Fiona has been a midwife for 32 years. She is also a registered nurse and maternal & child health nurse, a birth educator and bodyworker. She has worked in Melbourne public and private birthing hospitals and has supported many families with the birth of their babies at home and in hospital. Interwoven throughout her midwifery practice has been an involvement in midwifery education and the teaching of Birthwork Workshops. The focus of all birth related teaching is on the dynamic pelvis and how to make space for the baby. Fiona is also a Spinning Babies® Approved Trainer. When not teaching workshops, Fiona offers bodywork sessions to women in a 1:1 capacity, with particular emphasis on internal pelvic release work. She has been instrumental in establishing the Internal Pelvic Release Work Mentoring Program in Australia. Fiona’s drive to teach is fuelled by a desire to see childbearing women hold birth knowledge, learn to honour their pelvic treasures and work with their innate power and in so doing, eradicate birth trauma. Fiona lives in Melbourne, Australia.
Topic: The Issues in the Pelvic Tissues and Some Possible Solutions - [View Abstract]
So much emphasis has been placed on the bones of the pelvis – the space they can create for birth and the problems they cause. Cephalo Pelvic Disproportion (CPD) seems to be a term all too readily used to justify yet another woman having her baby born by caesarean section. It seems strange that nature has created so many mother/baby mismatches!
Commonly, the pelvic soft tissues don't come into consideration when a mother’s pelvis is deemed too small for her baby’s head. And yet bones don’t move on their own. Bones provide structure and form and bony movements are driven by soft connective tissues. If the connective tissues are holding tension of known or unknown origin, it stands to reason that when that tension is addressed and released, the connective tissues may ‘sigh’ and greater movement of the bony frame could occur.
The presentation will explore what connective tissues influence pelvic space and movement, why connective tissues can hold tension and creative considerations to work with them.
Susan Winograd, PT, owns and operates a private Pelvic Health and
Wellness practice in Boca Raton, Florida called Pelvicore Rehab LLC.
She specializes in Woman's Health, Men’s Health issues, and
Pre and Postnatal Care.
She has earned a Scar Release therapy Certification from Acumed
and is certified in the Wurn Technique and Clear Passage Approach.
Susan earned a masters degree from the College of Staten Island in
1998. In her 22 years of clinical experience she has gained extensive
knowledge in the treatment of various populations such as orthopedics,
manual therapy, geriatrics, pediatrics and men/women's pelvic dysfunction,
and prenatal/postpartum care.
She has continued her post graduate educate through seminars with
The Herman and Wallace Institute, MPS Scar Release Therapy, Myofascial
Release, The institute for Birth Healing, Clear Passage Therapies, and is pursuing education in Cranial Sacral therapy with the Upledger Institute
and Total Body Balancing with the D’Ambrogio Institute.
Susan enjoys teaching workshops throughout South Florida on pelvic
health and wellness related topics.
Her hands-on treatment approach of treating the whole person has
often led her to discover the primary or contributing cause of pain,
dysfunction, or imbalance was pelvic floor related.
Her passion and commitment now is treating, healing, and educating
her patients and healthcare providers with pelvic floor dysfunction using a
whole body approach to relieve pain, restore optimal function, and
improve quality of life.
She is committed to providing the highest quality of individualized
that care that every patient deserves.
Topic: The Fourth Trimester: Postpartum Healing and Recovery - [View Abstract]
Topic: The Pelvic Floor and the Core; A Dynamic Duo - [View Abstract]
The third trimester is an exciting time for moms. There is much attention placed on her with the excitement and preparation of an upcoming birth. In the fourth trimester, the 12 weeks that follow birth, we often see this attention transition to focus on the newborns' needs by healthcare practitioners, family, friends, and of course by the mom. It is important to recognize that this is a critical time for mothers. They are struggling with sleeplessness, adapting emotionally and are in the active recovery phase of healing physically. In France, Sweden and other parts of the world, the healthcare system pays much closer attention to mom’s well being after birth. In many of these countries being assessed and treated by a pelvic health physical therapist is the standard of care. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recently came out with recommendations for improved focus on maternal health. This includes emotional well-being, health maintenance, sexuality, and physical therapy as the standard of care and practice. We are still behind many other countries in maternal postpartum care but we are slowly making improvements. Midwives have the important opportunity to spread the awareness that every mom should get the postpartum care they deserve.
The Issues in the Pelvic Tissues and Some Possible Solutions
Fiona has been a midwife for 32 years. She is also a registered nurse and maternal & child health nurse, a birth educator and bodyworker. She has worked in Melbourne public and private birthing hospitals and has supported many families with the birth of their babies at home and in hospital. Interwoven throughout her midwifery practice has been an involvement in midwifery education and the teaching of Birthwork Workshops. The focus of all birth related teaching is on the dynamic pelvis and how to make space for the baby. Fiona is also a Spinning Babies® Approved Trainer. When not teaching workshops, Fiona offers bodywork sessions to women in a 1:1 capacity, with particular emphasis on internal pelvic release work. She has been instrumental in establishing the Internal Pelvic Release Work Mentoring Program in Australia. Fiona’s drive to teach is fuelled by a desire to see childbearing women hold birth knowledge, learn to honour their pelvic treasures and work with their innate power and in so doing, eradicate birth trauma. Fiona lives in Melbourne, Australia.
Topic: The Issues in the Pelvic Tissues and Some Possible Solutions - [View Abstract]
The soft connective tissues of the pelvis are so underestimated in their potential impact on birth. The tension held in the web of pelvic tissues can be known or unknown and either way, can cause havoc when baby is attempting to spiral through mother’s pelvic tunnel. Where do these issues in the tissues come from and what can we do about them as carers at birth? How can we work with these soft tissue connections creatively to make space?
Susan Winograd, PT, owns and operates a private Pelvic Health and
Wellness practice in Boca Raton, Florida called Pelvicore Rehab LLC.
She specializes in Woman's Health, Men’s Health issues, and
Pre and Postnatal Care.
She has earned a Scar Release therapy Certification from Acumed
and is certified in the Wurn Technique and Clear Passage Approach.
Susan earned a masters degree from the College of Staten Island in
1998. In her 22 years of clinical experience she has gained extensive
knowledge in the treatment of various populations such as orthopedics,
manual therapy, geriatrics, pediatrics and men/women's pelvic dysfunction,
and prenatal/postpartum care.
She has continued her post graduate educate through seminars with
The Herman and Wallace Institute, MPS Scar Release Therapy, Myofascial
Release, The institute for Birth Healing, Clear Passage Therapies, and is pursuing education in Cranial Sacral therapy with the Upledger Institute
and Total Body Balancing with the D’Ambrogio Institute.
Susan enjoys teaching workshops throughout South Florida on pelvic
health and wellness related topics.
Her hands-on treatment approach of treating the whole person has
often led her to discover the primary or contributing cause of pain,
dysfunction, or imbalance was pelvic floor related.
Her passion and commitment now is treating, healing, and educating
her patients and healthcare providers with pelvic floor dysfunction using a
whole body approach to relieve pain, restore optimal function, and
improve quality of life.
She is committed to providing the highest quality of individualized
that care that every patient deserves.
Topic: The Fourth Trimester: Postpartum Healing and Recovery - [View Abstract]
Topic: The Pelvic Floor and the Core; A Dynamic Duo - [View Abstract]
The pelvic floor is a fascinating structure that is responsible for so many basic but critical functions essential to our survival. This group of muscles is directly impacted during pregnancy, birth and in the postpartum healing period. Midwives are amazing advocates for women. In my practice, it has become obvious that midwives that are knowledgeable in pelvic health and wellness play a critical role in recognizing when this system is not functioning optimally and are then able to advocate and provide support to their clients that go far beyond the birthing process. In this presentation, I will present information about the pelvic floor that will give midwives a deeper understanding of pelvic floor functions and how it is intimately related to the core system in our body. This will give midwives the knowledge to support their clients and advocate for them in the most holistic way of facilitating women to have easier pregnancies and births and the most efficient postpartum healing. "
