Research and resources for perinatal professionals.
December 14, 2021 | by: Tanya Cawthorne
A few weeks ago, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) published their annual Australia’s Mothers and Baby Report. The report is a collection of national perinatal data from the previous two years, which in effect means that the 2021 report contains 2019 data, and therefore we are yet to see the full impact of COVID-19 on birth outcomes.
Anecdotally, many birth professionals (midwives, doulas, and childbirth educators in particular) have noted with concern a significant increase in birth interventions - particularly induction of labour, episiotomy, instrumental birth (vacuum and forceps delivery) and cesarean section - with little to no improvement in birth outcomes. The data now backs up what we all suspected was happening and this is not good news for birthing people in Australia.
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December 14, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
This time of year is full of gift giving opportunities. If you have a childbirth educator in your life, and want to gift them something that feeds their professional passion, here are five ideas for you to consider that will delight them and serve them well as they teach!
December 08, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
This week in the United States is National Influenza Vaccination Week. With COVID-19 news continuing to dominate global press, it is easy to forget that the influenza (flu) continues to threaten the health of pregnant people, parents and infants, along with all other segments of the population.
December 06, 2021 | by: Molly Giammarco, MPP
This week, President Joe Biden signed the Protecting Moms Who Served Act into law, the first of the 12 Momnibus bills to make it to the President’s desk. The Protecting Moms Who Served Act focuses on maternal health among Veterans by commissioning a study to assess maternal-health risks birthing Veterans face and investing in Veteran Affairs’ maternity-care coordination.
December 02, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
It has long been recognized that skin to skin care between a premature baby and their parent can help those babies gain weight, maintain body temperature, tolerate procedures and experience less stress during their NICU stay. Researchers have now found that newborns who are able to hear the live vocalizations of their parents will respond better to stress, and maintain a more stable body state than those infants who do not have that exposure. Their parent’s voice influences the pain receptors in the newborn and may provide a safe and effective analgesia through the newborn’s endogenous oxytocin production during painful procedures. The findings were documented in the study, Maternal speech decreases pain scores and increases oxytocin levels in preterm infants during painful procedures, published in the journal Scientific Reports in August, 2021
November 30, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Talking about difficult subjects in a childbirth class requires both sensitivity and thoughtfulness. Various unexpected outcomes, including experiencing an unplanned cesarean, may cause anxiety and fear for both the pregnant person and their support or partner. Using visual aids that accurately and effectively demonstrate the surgical component of a cesarean can diffuse anxiety and make way for understanding. Using this video of a cesarean surgery, that is recreated using play-doh, is an effective way to present this topic without increasing (and quite likely decreasing) the anxiety that class members might feel around this topic.
November 26, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
Childbirth classes are not only a place to learn and prepare for the end of pregnancy, labor, birth and the fourth trimester, but an opportunity to connect with other people having the same experience. Even if virtual learning is taking place, due to the COVID-19 situation, or other reasons, an engaged and active group of learners leaning in to both learning and the camera makes for a positive and productive experience. What do you do during your virtual classes that encourage a “cameras on” philosophy?
November 23, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
On November 22, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released a statement, with regard to this latest CDC Report, and acknowledged that the impact of the COVID-19 infection on pregnant people and their babies is well documented. They urged health care providers who work with pregnant population to continue to continue to counsel people who are pregnant or anyone who is planning to become pregnant about the known risks of COVID-19 to themselves and their unborn child. They also stated that health care providers stress the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccination series before becoming pregnant, during pregnancy and continuing into the postpartum time.
November 19, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
The International MotherBaby Childbirth Organization (IMBCO) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) have worked together to create a single global initiative that offers guidance and information in support of maternity care that is safe and respectful. Created in 2018, The International Childbirth Initiative: 12 Steps to Safe and Respectful MotherBaby-Family Centered Maternity Care provides a roadmap and urges providers and facilities worldwide, who offer care to people during the childbearing year, to follow the simple steps to implement best practices that are evidence based and center the parent-baby dyad and optimizes maternal and newborn health. Lamaze International is a signatory for and partner endorsing the International Childbirth Initiative.
November 17, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
November 17th is World Prematurity Day and the entire month of November is Prematurity Awareness Month in the United States. One in ten babies arrive before 37 weeks. A baby born before 37 weeks is considered a preterm infant and may require additional care and support. As expected, the more premature an infant is, the more assistance they will require after birth. The possibility of long-term adverse health outcomes and life-long disabilities also increases. World Prematurity Day hopes to raise awareness for the challenges of preterm birth and shine a light on the risks and consequences faced by preterm infants and their families worldwide.
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