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  • Most of us listening today live in a well-resourced country and have access to skilled obstetrical/perinatal care. Although we do not have a perfect healthcare system here in the U.S., it is hard to imagine the realities of birth in the places in Africa we are going to talk about today.

    When complications arise in the U.S. and other western countries, there are medications, supplies, and trained providers to respond in most cases. But in Africa, there may not be any skilled birth attendants or the equipment they need to save lives during a birth if things go awry. Many women receive little or no prenatal care. In fact, the lifetime risk of a woman dying from complications of childbirth in Africa can be as high as 1 in 38, compared to 1 in 7,500 in the U.S. Complications that may be handled without too much difficulty in a well-resourced country may lead to tragedy there.

    In this episode, we will hear firsthand about the challenging situations and needs that medical providers have in various places in Africa as we speak with Dr. George Mulcaire Jones, founder of Maternal Life International. He decided that something needed to be done to improve outcomes and save as many lives as possible, while respecting each area’s unique culture. Through his eye-opening stories of mothers’ experiences, we will explore practical solutions to improve outcomes and how we can all help, even though we may be worlds away.

    Dr. George Mulcaire-Jones is the founder and director of Maternal Life International.  He worked in Cameroon for two years with Mission Doctors Association and continues to work in various countries in Africa. He is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Medicine and completed a family medicine program at the University of Minnesota and an obstetrical fellowship at Sacred Heart and Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, Washington.  He practiced family medicine and obstetrics for 29 years in Butte, Montana.  In addition to his work with Maternal Life International, he is the project director for the Southwest Montana Community Opioid/Substance Use Coalition and has been a consultant for the Montana Perinatal Quality Collaborative. He and his wife Mary have 6 children and 10 grandchildren.  

    Listen and learn:

    Why Maternal Life International was born

    How a stable family partnership impacts birth outcomes

    How maternal death impacts more than just the lost mom and baby

    Why having ultrasounds available increases the likelihood of getting other prenatal care

    How in bringing medical provider training to locations in Africa, the teacher also becomes the learner

    What the three “delays” are that impact outcomes

    What causes stunting in children in Africa

    Join us in supporting Dr. George’s life-saving work in Africa!

    InJoy is honored to support the work of Maternal Life International (MLI). Their Safe Passages program is run by a very small team and can really use your help. Your donations will allow the program to purchase practical items to care for pregnant women in resource-scarce areas.

    Learn more and donate.

    Resources:

    Maternal Life International – Safe Passages

  • How can a free app help prevent over 30% of stillbirths in Iowa? Join us as we discuss the amazing organization that founded the project now used by many pregnant people to do just that. Megan will take us through the history of the organization and the development of the Count the Kicks app and other educational materials available on their website. She will also share the background and definition of stillbirth. The fact that stillbirth affects about 21,000 babies every year in the US should help us all understand how important it is to help parents take preventable measures whenever possible.

    Megan is the Program Director at Healthy Birth Day, Inc., the national non-profit organization that created the Count the Kicks evidence-based stillbirth prevention program. She oversees the organization’s programming work, including grants, system and policy change work, and app development. Megan believes that knowledge truly is power. She used the Count the Kicks app during her pregnancies and has three healthy and rambunctious children. She is proud to be part of such an important organization with a powerful mission of saving babies.

    Listen and Learn:

    How the lifesaving organization began Which number is higher, stillbirth or deaths due to SIDS What are the disparities in stillbirth for Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Black, and American Indian or Alaska Native families Why number of kicks AND strength of kicks matters How the app helps lower parents’ anxiety and helps them bond with their baby prenatally When and how to download the app and to tell others how to do it What languages the app is available in How we can bring this subject up with pregnant families without planting scary ideas Who should be talking about the Count the Kicks app

    Resources & Mentions:

    https://countthekicks.org/

    Megan Aucutt’s contact info [email protected]

    Related Products from InJoy:

    Understanding Pregnancy Curriculum

    Understanding Birth Curriculum

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  • About 10% of newborns will spend some time in the NICU, and you probably know at least one family who has spent time there. Join us for an inside look at the NICU with Megan Teague as she shares a vivid story of what caring for babies and families looks like on a daily basis. You will learn how to incorporate information about a potential stay in the NICU into your interactions with pregnant families to make them aware but not overwhelmed. This information can also help you understand the scope of work that goes on in the NICU and how to support families with newborns in the NICU as they navigate their NICU journey.

    Megan Teague attended Regis University in Denver, CO where she graduated with a BSN in 2005. She has worked at Lutheran Medical Center her entire career, first as a mom/baby nurse and then in their Level 3 NICU for the past 17 years. She has an RNC certification for NICU, is a preceptor, and is a member of the unit-based council. Megan is also a supervisory RN at her children’s school, and she teaches several prenatal classes, including CPR/safety, grandparenting, and newborn care. Megan loves working in the NICU because it is the perfect mix of skills, advocacy, education, and emotional support.

    Listen and Learn:

    How nurses can be an advocate for the babies in the NICU How family-centered care impacts the NICU experience How nurses and other professionals can respond to the actual needs of patients, including teaching, negotiating, and respecting their needs What key information families need before bringing their babies home from the NICU What Family Integrative Care is and how many take advantage of it How lactation assistance helps make sure NICU parents who breastfeed succeed The impact PMADs have on families in the NICU and other available resources What is “NICU-itis” and how it can be overcome What safe sleep looks like for a preemie in an open crib at home How Recovery Nurse Advocates work with mothers who have substance use concerns What NICU information should be shared in childbirth education classes, if any

    Resources:

    Nourish and Bloom Perinatal Behavioral Health Program: [email protected] or call 303-318-2621

    Recovery Nurse Advocates: Michelle Dueto ([email protected]) and Stacy Hernandez ([email protected])

    Megan Teague can be reached at [email protected]

    Related Products from InJoy:

    Understanding the NICU & Your Baby Curriculum

  • Join us to better understand the poignant topic of perinatal suicide. Perinatal suicide is the leading cause of maternal mortality from pregnancy to 1 year after birth, accounting for 23% of all maternal deaths. Listen to learn about the static risk factors that can increase the chance of suicide, along with. some dynamic risk factors that may appear for the first time in pregnancy and postpartum. Understanding the warning signs is important for all who work with pregnant and new mothers/birthing persons. In our role with families, what can we do to listen and refer them to the proper resources? What types of resources are available in your area?

    Our guest, Lindsay G. Lebin, MD is a psychiatrist specializing in women’s behavioral health and consultation-liaison psychiatry. She received her MD from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She completed psychiatry residency at the University of Washington and a consultation-liaison psychiatry fellowship at University of California San Francisco. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Her clinical interests include integrated care, psychosocial oncology, and reproductive psychiatry. She also engages in scholarly work in medical education and has presented nationally on various education-related topics.

    Listen and Learn:

    Why suicide is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality How suicidal thoughts are common and occur across a spectrum of risk That screening for suicidal thoughts is an important first step and must be followed up by a risk assessment What range of interventions are available and what the protective factors for suicide are How safety planning and connection to care can be powerful interventions for many

    Resources & Mentions:

    Postpartum Support International Helpline – 800-944-4773 call or text Help to same number Postpartum Support International National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline Suicide screening tools: https://zerocuicide.edc.org/toolkit/identify/screen-options Colorado links, look for similar in your area: Postpartum Support International, CO Chapter http://www.postpartum.net/colorado/ Parents Thrive Colorado: https://parentsthrive.org/resources/ Colorado Crisis Services: https://coloradocrisisservices.org/ University of Colorado Women’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Outpatient Clinic and Services

    InJoy Products:

    Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care Curriculum Understanding Self Care After Birth Video Program & Web App Complete Postpartum Teaching Solution Understanding Pregnancy Curriculum Understanding Birth Curriculum
  • While witnessing the miracle of birth can be exhilarating, it is often wrought with circumstances that create stress, confusion, griefand sometimes even burnout in nurses, caregivers, doulas, and other birth workers. The COVID and post-COVID period has brought even more tension into the mix with restrictions and staffing issues. Listen to explore the problems and discover some solutions to make life as a birth worker more resilient and satisfying.

    Nicole Heidbreder has worked as a Hospice Nurse and Labor and Delivery Nurse in various capacities for the last 10 years in the Washington, DC area, in addition to teaching Birth and End of Life Doula Workshops. As a birth worker, Nicole has been attending births as a doula for over 17 years in Washington, DC, New York City, San Francisco, Sumatra, Bali, and Uganda, in addition to working as a labor and delivery nurse at George Washington University Hospital. Currently, she also facilitates independent birth doula workshops and trains nursing students as a Clinical Instructor with the Johns Hopkins University Birth Companions Program. Through her work as a DONA International approved Birth Doula Trainer, she has taught hundreds of women over the past 10 years and truly believes that teaching maternal child health is her life's calling.

    Listen and Learn

    Why over 38% of RNs are likely to leave their position in the next 2 years

    What drains birth worker passion

    What support is available to current birth workers to reconnect to the joy of birth work

    How birth workers with different levels of specialty and education working together can create friction

    When birth workers experience PTSD

    How a mindset of post-traumatic growth can be a game changer

    Practical skills for nonviolent communication for high-stress birth situations

    The best ways to use grounding and anchoring practices

    How to set boundaries and avoid saviorism

    Contact Nicole at [email protected]

    Resources & Mentions:

    Learn more about Nicole’s Resiliency for Birth Workers workshop here: https://www.gracefulfusion.com/

    Related Products from InJoy:

    Understanding Birth Curriculum

  • Newborn babies get their first microbiome from their mother’s vagina during birth. The baby will become covered with this beneficial bacterial as they come out of the protected environment of the womb, through the birth canal, and to the world beyond. When the baby is born vaginally, they will have a gut microbiome similar to that of their mother’s vaginal and fecal flora. This helps set up lifelong gut health. But for babies not born vaginally, there are other ways to help insure good gut health. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion of why microbiome is important and how to help families advocate for procedures that will be beneficial for themselves and their baby.

    Toni Harman is a graduate of the London Film School and has produced and directed a number of internationally-distributed documentary films, including: MICROBIRTH (about the origins of the human microbiome), FREEDOM FOR BIRTH (about the struggle for women's rights in childbirth), and DOULA! (about the work of birth and postnatal doulas). Toni’s extensive research for MICROBIRTH led to her co-authoring the books THE MICROBIRTH EFFECT and YOUR BABY’s MICROBIOME. Toni is a professional speaker at international conferences about the science of the microbiome and epigenetics. She also leads the MICROBIOME COURSES online school. Toni combines knowledge gained from researching the subject for ten years with her extensive experience of running educational one-day and multiple-day workshops for adult learners.

    Listen and Learn:

    Why microbiome is so necessary for healthy humans, starting at birth

    How initial microbiome is transferred from mother to baby

    What happens with the microbiome if the baby is born by cesarean

    Processes other than birth that can help increase a newborn’s microbiome

    How we can teach these important facts to pregnant and new families

    How mothers can increase the beneficial parts of their microbiome for their own health and their baby’s

    Resources & Mentions:

    https://microbirth.com and https://microbirth.teachable.com

    Get in touch with Toni Harman: [email protected]

    Related Products from InJoy:

    Understanding Birth Curriculum

  • In 2016, when the NYS DOH put out a request for application to receive the Creating Breastfeeding Friendly Communities (CBFC) Grant, the Rockland County Lactation community united to support and work together for this initiative. At that time, 86.6% of new mothers in the state initiated breastfeeding, but only 56% were still breastfeeding at six months, and of those, only 17% were exclusively breastfeeding.

    Patti's organization felt that connecting and supporting breastfeeding families beyond their hospital stay could make a big difference. The CBFC initiatives goal was to include physician practices, daycares, worksites, and public locations in the effort to support breastfeeding families for a longer period. Listen to find out how Patti and her practice made a change in the amount and type of education and support they were offering to their patients and how they involved their whole community in the effort. Consider if your area could benefit from a similar initiative!

    Patrícia Soriano Guzmán is an Allied Healthcare Professional specializing in Perinatal Support services. She has pursued advanced education with leading organizations, first in Lactation followed by Perinatal Mental Health, Prepared Childbirth, and Infant Development. Patrícia is currently an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® at Montefiore Nyack Hospital and is responsible for outpatient Clinical Lactation services provided in English and Spanish, as well as leading several perinatal-related programs and events. Since 2020, Patrícia has been featured as guest speaker for a variety of virtual events, and most recently, led a 20-Hour Lactation Education training as the sole-presenter of 11 live, interactive sessions for 89 healthcare workers. This program was part of the NYS DOH Creating Breastfeeding-Friendly Communities initiative.

    Listen and Learn:

    Why families need continued support outside the hospital at all touchpoints

    Where parents are likely to connect with those who can support them

    How NYS increased the knowledge and skills of community-based organizations, primary care providers, childcare directors and staff, and employers

    How out-of-hospital facilities or programs signed up for participation in the program

    What Patti did to help implement the first obstetric practice in the area to achieve NYS DOH 10 Steps to Breastfeeding-Friendly Designation

    How Baby Cafes and similar types of gatherings helped

    Resources & Mentions:

    Creating Breastfeeding Friendly Communities (CBFC) (ny.gov)

    Get in touch with Patti: Send her an email at [email protected] or [email protected]

    Related Products from InJoy:

    Understanding Breastfeeding Curriculum

    Practices to Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding: Core Concepts eCourse

    Practices to Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding: Managing Common Challenges eCourse

  • Listen in as we discuss promoting Vaginal Nulliparous Term Singleton Vertex (NTSV) birth to decrease the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality. Dr. Lagrew agrees with a past president of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Vincenzo Berghella, who said, “Physicians do need to balance risks and benefits, and for some clinical conditions, cesarean is definitely the best mode of delivery. But for most (NTSV) pregnancies that are low risk, a cesarean delivery may pose greater risk than vaginal delivery, especially risks related to future pregnancies.” Working to decrease the number of cesareans that are not strictly for clinical conditions is something we can all work on. Educators, nurses, community health workers, and others can use the information Dr. Lagrew shares to help people avoid the first cesarean. This will not only lower unintended outcomes of the initial cesarean like hemorrhage and infection but also prevent problems in subsequent pregnancies.

    Dr. Lagrew is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and physician informaticist with a particular interest in maternal quality improvement. He recently retired as Medical Director of Women’s and Children’s services for Providence St. Joseph-Southern California and as a Providence System Provider Informaticist in Obstetrics. He has started his new role as Chief of Service, Maternal Fetal Medicine at Hoag Healthcare. He holds triple board certification in Obstetrics/Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, and Clinical Informatics. In addition to these administrative and leadership roles, he continues to actively author numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. He is a clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UC Irvine. He is the immediate past chair of the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s Clinical Informatics Committee.

    Listen and Learn: 

    That the absolute lowest risk delivery is a vaginal delivery after a previous vaginal delivery The rate of cesarean birth compared to vaginal births in the US now How an NTSV protects the woman’s long-term health, especially if she plans to have more children How midwives may have a lower cesarean rate due to their practice of admitting to the hospital later during labor How the shared decisions help prevent primary cesarean births How having a wide range of cesarean rates, state by state, is actually a good thing A sneak preview of the US’s ARRIVE Study compared to an upcoming study out of Canada That robust childbirth education about risks and benefits including an explanation of complications and outcomes will benefit parents and will likely decrease the cesarean rate

    Resources & Mentions: 

    Nation’s Ob-Gyns Take Aim at Preventing Cesareans Safe Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Delivery Childbirth Connection info on cesarean resources California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (many states have similar organizations) Email Dr. David Lagrew: [email protected]

    Related Products from InJoy: 

    Understanding Pregnancy Understanding Birth The Stages of Labor
  • Pregnancy and birth are often portrayed with a single brush as if all these experiences are basically the same for every birthing person. But for Lauren and her family, that was far from the truth. The anticipation of the ideal birth ended abruptly and unexpectedly when her husband arrived home early with flowers one day, finding her looking unwell. He talked Lauren into going to the doctor for a “just in case” checkup, which turned into a totally unexpected outcome for Lauren.

    We will explore Lauren’s story to understand how preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome impacted not just her birth but continue to impact Lauren’s life to this day. In sharing her story, we will discover the tenacity of all those involved in her experience, including Lauren. During the conversation, we will discuss what, if any, warning signs were there that she didn’t recognize at the time. She will give us ideas for ways to speak to our students and patients about this still largely mysterious malady that affects 5 to 8% of pregnant people (and of these, 15% of these develop HELLP syndrome). Overcoming preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome takes not just a team but an entire village—and that is just what happened in Lauren’s journey.

    Lauren Ward Larsen is a storyteller, writer, speaker, advocate, and former corporate and nonprofit executive. As a professional speaker, Lauren has delivered hundreds of keynote addresses at corporate meetings, conferences, nonprofit events, and fundraisers in the U.S and Europe. Based on her birth experience with Clare, she has added another type of storytelling to her repertoire. Educating pregnant families and medical care providers about her experience with preeclampsia has become a key component of her life.

    Listen and Learn:

    How the lack of information caused big trouble for Lauren: “I didn’t know what I didn’t know The signs to look out for regarding preeclampsia, including upper right abdominal pain How things changed for Lauren so quickly 3 days after a “normal” appointment How her husband’s unusual mid-day personal flower delivery likely saved her life While pre-existing health conditions like high blood pressure can be a predictor, others can be affected, including Lauren, who is an active athlete How important it is for everyone in the hospital and medical community to understand the signs of preeclampsia, including the Emergency Department The importance of listening to your intuition and not taking possible symptoms lightly Zuzu’s Petals is not a book for pregnant people

    Resources & Mentions:

    Eclampsia Foundation

    Hear Her

    Zuzu's Petals: A True Story of Second Chances by Lauren Ward Larsen (on Amazon or other book sellers)

    Lauren’s website: https://laurenwardlarsen.com

    Related Products from InJoy:

    Discussion and Warning signs in:

    Understanding Birth

    Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care

  • Edit: When we originally uploaded this podcast, the wrong file was included. Oops! The correct file has been added, and we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we do!

    Adriane Burgess PhD, RNC-OB, CCE, CNE, C-ONQS (she/hers) 
    Director, Quality Improvement-Service Lines (Women and Children, Primary Care, Oncology)  Ob/Gyn Residency Research Director 

    Awareness of preeclampsia can reduce its impact for families. Two to eight percent of birthing parents have preeclampsia. The old adage that “delivery is the cure for preeclampsia” can no longer be used because we know that preeclampsia exits in postpartum, too. In this episode, we will explore current research on preeclampsia and how parents and providers can use open communication about the topic to create the best outcomes. Listen in to discover more about this hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and postpartum.

    Our guest, Adriane Burgess, has been a nurse for 25 years in a variety of maternal-child health settings, including labor and delivery and postpartum units, maternal fetal medicine practices, and childbirth education classes. She is certified in inpatient obstetrical nursing, as a childbirth educator, in nursing education, and most recently, in obstetric and neonatal quality and safety. She completed her PhD in Nursing in 2017 and her dissertation research was a case control study that explored ABO blood phenotype and factors associated with preeclampsia subtype. Dr. Burgess works to actively publish and present her research and has won several awards. Her research interests include preeclampsia and cardiovascular risk and protective factors, innovative nursing education strategies, and maternal quality initiatives.

    Listen and Learn:

    Research on the current protocol to prevent preeclampsia How chronic hypertension impacts chances of getting preeclampsia How pre-pregnancy habits may decrease the risk The importance of “knowing your numbers” (blood pressure) even before pregnancy The importance of creating a postpartum connection for women with eclampsia, including mental and emotional support Lifelong health implications of preeclampsia for women The impact of breastfeeding on cardiovascular health and helping parents initiate and sustain breastfeeding, even if experiencing preeclampsia The program at Adriane’s facility that gives each woman who has preeclampsia a blood pressure cuff and app

    Resources & Mentions:

    Preeclampsia Foundation Hear Her Adriane Burgess - for additional information [email protected] Zuzu’s Petals by Lauren Ward Larsen, publisher - In The Telling Press

    Related Products from InJoy:

    Discussion and Warning signs in:

    Understanding Pregnancy Understanding Birth Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care
  • The words bonding and attachment are common words, but what is the deeper meaning behind those words for new parents and their newborns or yet-to-be born babies? How can parents connect with their newborn in utero? How will the attachment before and after the baby is born affect the epigenomes, brain development, and future health of their little one? Laurel will take us on a fascinating dive into this topic to help us translate this information to our patients, students, and clients so that more new parents will understand the benefits of attachment to their new babies.

    Laurel Wilson, IBCLC, RLC, BSc, CLE, CCCE, CLD is a TEDx and international speaker, pregnancy and lactation specialist, consultant, educator, and author. Laurel is the co-author of two books, The Attachment Pregnancy and The Greatest Pregnancy Ever; original editor of The CAPPA Lactation Educator Manual; as well as a contributing author to Round the Circle: Doulas Talk About Themselves. Her passion is blending today’s recent scientific findings with mind/body/spirit wisdom to highlight the magnitude and importance of the perinatal period. Spending 17 years as Executive Director for Lactation Programs for the Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Association formed the foundation of her inquiry into the science of human milk. She has acted and still acts in many capacities locally and nationally promoting the belief that the journey into parenthood is a life-changing rite of passage that should be deeply honored and celebrated.

    Listen and Learn:

    The physiological and emotional process of bonding and attachment that occurs during birth & beyond What is epigenetics, epigenome, and microbiome and how are they connected? How epigenetics work in a human is based on the external reality of that person’s experiences How the first 1,000 days of a baby’s life and their external reality impacts their organ systems How most diseases are not DNA related but rather influenced by epigenetic impact What impact chronic stress, including weathering, has on future health How to teach parents to move away from stress when possible What full engagement means during pregnancy

    Resources & Mentions:

    https://motherjourney.com/index.html (Laurel’s website with many more resources) Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health Kindred – One Family, One World

    Related Products from InJoy:

    Understanding Pregnancy Understanding Breastfeeding Understanding Your Newborn Understanding Fatherhood
  • This episode was recorded on 5/23/22

    The students and patients that you interact with have far different expectations for learning than a K-12 student. They are with you for a very specific reason and expect you to give them relevant information they can use right away that they can incorporate with what they already know. Adult learners require educators to use some unique approaches that tap into both the art and science of teaching. This episode will give you some specific tips on how to incorporate Adult Learning Principles in your classroom or virtual classes.

    Our expert is Kristen Gosse, MEd, the Learning Strategist and Content Development Manager for InJoy Health Education. She has a background in professional writing and almost 14 years of experience designing content for pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and parenting health education materials. Kristen explores ways to apply adult learning theory and the psychology of motivation to health education. If adults do not understand or feel empowered, they are at a disadvantage to make informed decisions in almost every facet of life. Her goal is to nurture this feeling of empowerment through thoughtful, engaging content and effective learning experiences.

    Listen and Learn:

    Adult learners need to be in charge of their own learning Your students want to be treated with respect Many prefer social interaction in the classroom or online Students learn through doing, practice, and return demonstration The “Fab 4” basic principles of well-known researcher in Adult Learning, Malcolm Knowles There is no such thing as a learning style for an individual---everyone needs to see information in multiple ways to retain it How reflection is helpful in processing information, so asking the learner to jot down ideas is useful Why these principles apply to the classroom and the bedside

    Resources & Mentions:

    Engaged: Designing for Behavior Change by Amy Bucher Designing for How People Learn by Julie Dirksen Julie Dirksen’s website: https://usablelearning.com/ https://elearningindustry.com/the-adult-learning-theory-andragogy-of-malcolm-knowles Healthy Content Matters: Bringing Patient Education Online

    Related Products from InJoy:

    Online Education Books + Web Apps PowerPoints Video Programs
  • Creating an atmosphere conducive to learning includes ensuring that your students feel understood and accepted in the classroom. Listen in as we get practical advice from Maura Jo, who has been practicing the principles of gender inclusivity in her life and classroom for over 15 years. You’ll pick up things you can use right away in your classroom, such as how you can use more inclusive language and ways you can make students feel comfortable while learning.

    Maura Jo (pronouns: they/she) is a Queer/GenderQueer, passionate, compassionate, and accomplished birth worker and wellness professional with over 25 years of experience in complementary and alternative wellness and over 15 years in perinatal education and support. They hold a master’s degree in Women’s (and Gender) Studies and certifications in many aspects of wellness and perinatal health and support services. They have worked in the nonprofit sector, in the fitness and wellness industry, in multiple hospital systems, in the Connecticut state university system as an adjunct professor, and have been running their own perinatal and wellness business for many years. They specialize in working with and supporting LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals, families, and professionals who identify as a part of these communities.

    Listen and Learn:

    We are not excluding anyone by including everyone Tips for educators looking to use inclusive language in their classes Why words matter – getting out of a fear-based brain to be able to understand the material presented Visual representations matter too – how seeing others “like me” increases learning ability Role model behavior to foster inclusion

    Resources & Mentions:

    Center Song Birth & Wellness

    https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why

    https://www.badoulatrainings.org/

    https://www.kingyaa.co.za/upcoming-events-workshops

    https://earthsnaturaltouch.com/education-%26-support

    Related Products from InJoy:

    Understanding Birth Curriculum (Uses gender-neutral terms and diverse families)

    Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care Curriculum (Uses gender-neutral terms and diverse families)

    Understanding Pregnancy (Uses gender-neutral terms and diverse families)

  • Reaching more parents with solid prenatal education is the goal for most educators and hospitals. Learning a new way to do that was challenging in 2020 but through creativity and problem solving, many educators –just like our guest– found ways to be sure the parents they serve continued to learn. Join us to learn how one hospital has not only overcome the COVID teaching challenge but also created a mix of classes that will remain in place moving forward to reach more parents with the information they need for their pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

    Evelyn M. Turner, MSN, RNC-MNN, ICCE, IBCLC, CPST, has been an active perinatal professional since 2000, working as a nurse in Labor & Delivery, Mother & Baby, Prenatal Care Coordination, Nursing Leadership, and as a Prenatal Nurse Educator in Northwest, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois. Currently, she works as a Prenatal Nurse Instructor at The University of Chicago Medicine, bringing her years of experience to the classroom educating soon-to-be parents.

    Listen and Learn:

    How it is possible to offer multiple classes in different formats to meet parents’ needs Offering a variety of formats increases the number of learners who participate Following up with online learners strengthen their knowledge through Q&A What can be done for parents who speak languages other than what is usually offered Promoting virtual and blended classes How parents feel about their learning experience Why it is important to continue with virtual and blended learning even with in-person classes available

    Resources & Mentions:

    Prenatal Education at University of Chicago Medicine Reach out to Evelyn Learn more about how to set up blended learning Review virtual teaching best practices

    Related Products from InJoy:

    Online eClasses Educator Media Library for instructor-led classes
  • Note: This episode was recorded in early 2021. Some of the details in this episode may have changed

    In 1956, Marian Tompson and Mary White, along with five other women, gathered to breastfeed their babies under a tree at a church picnic in Illinois when they were approached by mothers with questions, showing interest and looking for advice on successful breastfeeding. This event inspired a group of seven women to form La Leche League International to provide breastfeeding help and support to women in their community. Since that time, La Leche League’s peer to peer support, whose primary purpose is to promote breastfeeding, can be found locally, nationally, and even internationally now in over 80 countries.

    Christina Faulkenburg is an Area Coordinator of Leaders with La Leche League Mountain Plains as a volunteer. The Area has over 40 Leaders in Kansas, Wyoming, and Colorado. Christina is a wife, mom, and business owner. Her daughter just turned 5! When Christina was pregnant in 2015, she started attending La Leche League Meetings and found support to be so wonderful that she became a Leader to help other families. The support helped her nurse for 28 months. She then became the Area Coordinator of Leaders to help support other Leaders help families just like her providing educational events and fund-raising for the Area.

    Listen in as we explore Christina’s journey with La Leche League and how you can help families connect to this great association.

    Listen and Learn: 

    About the history and mission of La Leche League International How health professionals can get the word out and connect people to this free service The variety of people that join LLL meetings and are supported by the leader and members The main components of a LLL meeting What effect COVID has had on meetings What it takes to become a LLL Leader How LLL has changed and the vision for the future

    Resources & Mentions:

    La Leche League International website

    Facebook page for La Leche League International

    Facebook page for La Leche League of Mountain Plains – Families

    Related Products from InJoy:

    Patient and Family education:

    Understanding Breastfeeding curriculum Videos & PowerPoints Books + web apps Online eClasses Breastfeeding BASICS

    Staff education: Practices to Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding

  • The concept and role of a doula is better understood these days by parents and health professionals, but the reality of a doula’s life may still be a mystery to some. Today we will explore how Julie, who has practiced as a doula for 29 years, impacts the lives of the families she’s assisted as she shares her insights of life as a doula.

    Julie Brill is the author of the doula anthology Round the Circle: Doulas Share Their Experiences. She has been teaching childbirth classes and attending births since 1992 and mentoring new birth professionals throughout New England as a member of the CAPPA Faculty since 2003. Additionally, she is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and a Certified Holistic Lactation Consultant. Julie is in private practice in Bedford, MA, where she teaches prenatal breastfeeding classes and provides in-home breastfeeding consultations. She is also the mother of two adult daughters who she home schooled until they entered college.

    Listen and Learn:

    How a doula – “just a woman in the room”—can make a big difference during birth What studies show about doulas How doulas have gained awareness over time What responsibilities doulas have How nurses benefit from having doulas in the room and learning some doula skills What various models of hospital doula programs look like

    Resources & Mentions:

    Major Survey Findings of Listening to Mothers III: Pregnancy and Birth

    Variation in Cesarean Birth Rates by Labor and Delivery Nurses, Dr. Neel Shah, MD, MPP

    Continuous support for women during childbirth

    Round the Circle and Birth Wisdom

    Doulas Discuss Birth

    Related Products from InJoy: 

    Understanding Birth

    The Miracle of Birth 3

    The Miracle of Birth 4

    Understanding Breastfeeding

  • Listen in as Laura Nance, a Senior Program Advisor for CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association), tells us all about the organization. CAPPA was birthed in 1998 and has a mission of “Education. Support. Success.” Laura takes us through how they have grown over time and what they had done to support members and families during COVID. She also gives us a glimpse of where the future is taking this international organization.

    Laura Nance is the Senior Advisor of Postpartum Doula and New Parent Educator Programs for CAPPA and the co-developer of the New Parent Educator program. Laura has been involved in the perinatal world since 2000 and is CAPPA-certified and active in her community as a New Parent Educator, Childbirth Educator, Lactation Educator, Pregnancy Fitness Educator, Postpartum Doula, and Labor Doula. She is the owner of For Love of Baby, a doula and educator cooperative offering professional perinatal services to families. She has been a trainer with CAPPA since 2005 and trains for the postpartum doula, new parent educator, and lactation educator programs.

    Listen and Learn:

    About why CAPPA was created How certification matters How Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics promotes professionalism That building bridges with other professionals promotes doulas and supports families The family-like atmosphere that is a hallmark of the CAPPA organization The secret of using a positive mental attitude to fix negative things

    Resources & Mentions:

    CAPPA – Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association

    Contact the office at [email protected]

    Call 1-770-965-9777

    Related Products from InJoy

    Miracle of Birth Volume 3

    Miracle of Birth Volume 4

    Understanding Birth

    Stages of Labor

    Pain Management for Childbirth

    Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care

  • Even in early nursing school Ginger felt she would write a book someday. Finding a need while working with her new daughter-in-law gave her the much-needed topic. Surviving in postpartum should not be as hard as it was for Ginger’s loved one or many other new mothers. To create a template for thriving and celebrating life with a new baby, Ginger called upon 15 other experienced postpartum professionals and parents, and they created a book that can be used by parents and professionals Listen in as we discuss the book, changes needed in our healthcare system for postpartum families in the first six weeks, and more!

    Dr. Breedlove is a past president of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. In 2017, she formed a consulting company, Grow Midwives LLC, to educate physicians and hospitals while supporting midwives in the design and scaling of best practices in collaborative care models. Prior to consulting, she was on faculty a combined 17 years as Professor of Nursing and Midwifery at Shenandoah University and University of Kansas School of Nursing founding program director. She co-founded the first free-standing birthing center in Topeka, Kansas in 1979, the first Midwife service in Kansas City, Missouri in 1994, and established the University of Kansas Midwifery program in 1999. In 2016 she co-founded March for Moms with Dr. Neel Shah and has served as President four years. In 2018, Dr. Breedlove edited and launched a book for first-time parents navigating the first six weeks of pregnancy titled, Nobody Told Me About That!

    Listen and Learn:

    How a lack of educational support before and during postpartum negatively impacts bringing baby home The mental and emotional impact of feeling unprepared How postpartum deaths could be prevented with accurate information One of the most important tools for new parents is learning to use their voice How to create a safer postpartum system by using inter-professional contact after leaving the hospital Change can happen when demand comes from parents, employers, legislators, community members and healthcare professionals About postpartum concerns from 16 women’s health professionals

    Resources & Mentions:

    www.nobodytoldmeaboutthat.com

    www.Marchformoms.org

    www.Growmidwives.org

    Related Products from InJoy

    Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care

    Understanding Fatherhood

    Parenting BASICS 0-6 months, Self-Care for Moms

  • DONA International was one of the first doula organizations in the United States. Starting out as Doulas of North America in 1992, they quickly saw the need for doulas around the world. In the early 2000s, they became DONA International. Listen in to see where and why they started. Melissa will explain her passion, and the passion of the organization, to make sure that doula clients and birthing families get the support needed in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! We will also get a glimpse of where this dynamic organization is going in the future.

    Immediate past president of DONA International, Melissa began serving birthing families in January 2002 through her practice at Capital City Doula Services. Certified with DONA International in 2003, and Lamaze International in 2005, Melissa has worked with more than 1,500 families as a labor doula and/or childbirth educator. As a DONA-approved trainer, Melissa offers training and mentorship opportunities for new doulas and has trained over 600 new doulas, primarily in the Southeastern U.S. She is also a certified lactation counselor and a Fellow in the Academy of Childbirth Educators.

    Listen and Learn:

    How the Greek word meaning servant has become a profession and a model for their philosophy behind serving families in the childbearing year How Doulas of North America started and who are the founders Why doula care is important to birthing and new families Why certification can be important for doulas What DONA International is doing to enhance and sustain the doula profession in the future How to change awareness into action” when considering health equity How you can be involved with DONA as a volunteer

    Resources & Mentions:

    DONA International

    Join as a volunteer! Email [email protected] to find out what positions are open

    Related Products from InJoy:

    Understanding Birth

    Understanding Breastfeeding

    Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care

    Understanding Your Newborn

    Pain Management For Childbirth

    The Miracle of Birth

  • When Jen was pregnant in 2010, she realized that she was being treated differently because she exists in a larger body. Determined to make her plan for an unmedicated birth a reality, Jen researched and found a midwife who supported and encouraged her to pursue the birth plan she wanted. After the birth of her baby, she decided to start a blog to share her story, but soon it was clear that this was not just about her own story. She became a childbirth educator and created an evidence-based website and podcast that includes positive resources, so she could change others stories as well. She now also sits on a National Institutes of Health panel to give input on creating the Pregnancy for Every Body program.

    Jen McLellan is a published author, founder of Plus Size Birth, and host of the Plus Mommy Podcast. She helps people navigate the world of plus size pregnancy, shares tips for embracing your body, and laughs her way through the adventures of parenthood. Her work has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, Glamour, Todays Parent, Huffington Post, and International Doula. As a public speaker, Jen has spoken at numerous events including presenting at the National Institutes of Health. Jen is also a certified childbirth educator, wife, and mother to a charismatic ten-year-old.

    Listen in as we explore Jen’s journey and learn important information we can use in our lives and practices every day.

    Listen and Learn: 

    How to help women understand their options based on their personal health and not only their BMI What can be done to increase the number of size-inclusive healthcare providers available The difference between relative risk and actual risk when assigning a risk status How COVID may impact plus-size patients who may be mistreated if attending an appointment on their own and what tools can be used to prevent that What ideas can be implemented to create a size-friendly environment The shocking stats on cesarean rates based on BMI How important this topic is: Jen has reached 6 million page views on her website, 150 thousand downloads on her podcast

    Resources & Mentions: 

    Plus Size Birth Website & Blog

    Plus Mommy Podcast

    My Plus Size Pregnancy Guide

    Size-Friendly Directory

    Pregnancy For Every Body

    Health At Every Size

    ARTICLE: Birth Outcomes of Women with Obesity Enrolled for Care at Freestanding Birth Centers in the United States

    Related Products from InJoy: 

    Understanding Birth Curriculum

    Understanding Pregnancy Curriculum