Research and resources for perinatal professionals.
March 11, 2020 | by: Molly Giammarco,
Lamaze International is pleased to announce its support for the Congressional Black Maternal Health Caucus’ Momnibus that Caucus members introduced on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. The Momnibus is a package of nine bills that each implement specific measures to promote maternity care for women disproportionately affected by maternal mortality and morbidity, and who have poorer childbirth outcomes than the national average. These bills build upon existing legislation that seeks to extend Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum, increase access to birth and health centers for underserved populations, and develop maternity care quality standards and supports maternity care collaboratives.
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March 09, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
The Lamaze International 2020 Childbirth Education Advocacy Summit, in Washington, DC, is happening mid-May, just a couple of months away. Plans are being finalized to offer an amazing array of Pre-Summit Workshops and Conference Keynote speakers along with an important day on the Hill meeting with government representatives. Early bird pricing is accessible through today, March 9, 2020 for the May 18-19 Summit. I spoke to Jennifer VanderLaan, PhD, MPH, CNM, the a Keynote speaker at the Childbirth Education Advocacy Summit. Dr. VanderLaan’s session is titled "60 Years of Lamaze: How the Impact of the Past Coupled with Current Research Informs the Future." Lamaze International is turning 60 this year, and Dr. VanderLaan's look back combined with impactful plans for the future will be amazing. Dr. VanderLaan’s bio and contact information can be found at the end of her informative interview. - Sharon Muza, Connecting the Dots Community Manager
March 05, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
The Lamaze International 2020 Childbirth Education Advocacy Summit, in Washington, DC, is happening mid-May, just a couple of months away. Plans are being finalized to offer an amazing array of Pre-Summit Workshops and Conference Keynote speakers along with an important day on the Hill meeting with government representatives. Early bird pricing is accessible through March 9, 2020 for the May 18-19 Summit. I reached out to the amazing Jennie Joseph, LM, CPM, one of the Summit's three Keynote speakers. Jennie’s exciting session is titled "Collective Impact of Childbirth Education." In today's interview, we hear from Jennie on the role of childbirth education in today's maternal-infant health landscape. Jennie Joseph’s bio and contact information can be found at the end of her insightful interview. - Sharon Muza, Connecting the Dots Community Manager
March 03, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
The Lamaze International 2020 Childbirth Education Advocacy Summit, in Washington, DC, is approximately ten weeks away! Plans are being finalized to offer an amazing array of Pre-Summit Workshops and Keynote speakers. Early bird pricing is accessible through March 9, 2020 for the May 18-19 Summit. I took a moment to check in with Debra Bingham, DrPH, RN, FAAN, one of the Summit's three Keynote speakers. Dr. Bingham's exciting session is titled "Advocacy in Action: Lamaze Education as Part of High Value Maternity Care." In today's interview, we learn Dr. Bingham's thoughts on the role of childbirth education in today's maternal-infant health landscape. Dr. Bingham's bio and contact information can be found at the end of her insightful interview.
February 27, 2020 | by: Stacie Bingham, LCCE, CD(DONA), CBS(LER)
It was 78 degrees here in Central California yesterday. I took it upon myself to go and smell in (sneeze out) some spring. That got me thinking about cleaning, and beautifying, and gardening and growing. I wondered what aspects of “spring” I could inject into some of my teaching activities? I took a trip to my local Dollar Tree to find out.
February 25, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Leaving the hospital without one’s baby, who is still being hospitalized after the birth, is to put it simply – very difficult. Postpartum Support International (PSI) recognizes that parents whose baby (or babies) are spending time in the NICU are at higher risk for developing mental health issues like postpartum depression and/or anxiety due to the uniquely stressful experience of the NICU. Having a baby in this situation can be very isolating. PSI now has an online virtual support group just for families in this situation.
February 20, 2020 | by: Cara Terreri, LCCE
We want to highlight a handful of the great blogs out there for and by Black mothers/parents and families. These blogs provide helpful resources, informative and relevant voices, and a welcome blend of humor, wisdom, and compassion. The blogs listed below are focused on women and may feel exclusive to other parents. If you have any recommendations that are more diverse, please include them in the comments below.
February 13, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
It seems that in the United States and in many other countries, society seems to have forgotten how truly difficult the transition to parenthood can be for many new parents. All bodies are physically recovering. One in three birthing people are recovering from major abdominal surgery. Emotional states are fragile. Everyone is sleep deprived. One in four people describe their births as traumatic. One in seven birthing people are dealing with a postpartum mood disorder. One in four people must return to work within two weeks of giving birth. Challenging and difficult is an understatement.
February 11, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
The National Child and Maternal Health Education Program, a division of the NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has updated their website to include a more robust section for pregnant people who are obese or “plus-sized.” They also have website space dedicated to health care providers who offer services to larger sized people who are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant.
February 07, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Today, in honor of Black History Month, I want to invite each and every person reading this blog, to do two things:
1. Thank a Black perinatal professional (childbirth educator, doula, midwife, L&D nurse, lactation consultant, doctor, and others) for the work they do. Thank them directly *and* thank them by commenting on this blog below with your colleague’s name, location and tell us a little bit about them (with their permission of course.)
2. Make a contribution to a fundraising effort or scholarship program (locally, nationally or even internationally) that allocates funds directly to Black perinatal professionals to receive initial training or continue to grow their training and serve their communities.
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