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Making meaning through telling stories appears part of our deep human DNA. Sharing birth stories honours this capacity. Birth debriefing however honours a more urgent therapeutic need. When we understand that the reported prevalence of birth trauma ranges from 33 to 45 percent, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects between 1.5 to 6 percent of birthing women, we understand the need for birth debriefing.

A 2018 international review on ‘what matters to women during childbirth’ found that most women – wanted a physiological labour and birth; a healthy baby; practical and emotional support from birth companions, and competent, reassuring, kind clinical staff; if intervention was needed or wanted, women wanted to retain a sense of personal achievement and control through active decision-making. 2019 Australian research amplifies these findings, reporting that women repeatedly referred to their preference to avoid intervention, but described being unable to do so in hospital. So before addressing birth debriefing, it’s necessary to understand the context within which birth debriefing becomes necessary.

In this presentation I will explore common pathways to birth trauma – necessary interventions and medical emergencies; unmet expectations of care and the impact of any previous vulnerabilities experienced by the birthing woman. Then we will explore the structural changes required to address the issue of birth trauma. Finally, we will explore the ‘how and why of birth debriefing at the bedside’.

Live Presentation Schedule Oct 15, 2019

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15-10-2019 21:00 15-10-2019 22:00 35 Birth Debriefing: The How and Why at the Bedside Making meaning through telling stories appears part of our deep human DNA. Sharing birth stories honours this capacity. Birth debriefing however honours a more urgent therapeutic need. When we understand that the reported prevalence of birth trauma ranges from 33 to 45 percent, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects between 1.5 to 6 percent of birthing women, we understand the need for birth debriefing. A 2018 international review on ‘what matters to women during childbirth’ found that most women – wanted a physiological labour and birth; a healthy baby; practical and emotional support from birth companions, and competent, reassuring, kind clinical staff; if intervention was needed or wanted, women wanted to retain a sense of personal achievement and control through active decision-making. 2019 Australian research amplifies these findings, reporting that women repeatedly referred to their preference to avoid intervention, but described being unable to do so in hospital. So before addressing birth debriefing, it’s necessary to understand the context within which birth debriefing becomes necessary. In this presentation I will explore common pathways to birth trauma – necessary interventions and medical emergencies; unmet expectations of care and the impact of any previous vulnerabilities experienced by the birthing woman. Then we will explore the structural changes required to address the issue of birth trauma. Finally, we will explore the ‘how and why of birth debriefing at the bedside’. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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Rather than focusing on external mileposts like stages, stations, and centimeters, what if laboring people had a clear roadmap that easily led them inwards, towards the physiological process unfolding in their bodies? What if instead of packing their bags with coping mechanisms, they filled them with tools that encouraged birth flow, and put them in the driver’s seat of their own birth journey? Let’s explore this new model of birth.

Live Presentation Schedule Oct 28, 2019

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28-10-2019 17:00 28-10-2019 18:15 35 Destination Laborland: Setting a Fresh Course Towards Physiological Birth Rather than focusing on external mileposts like stages, stations, and centimeters, what if laboring people had a clear roadmap that easily led them inwards, towards the physiological process unfolding in their bodies? What if instead of packing their bags with coping mechanisms, they filled them with tools that encouraged birth flow, and put them in the driver’s seat of their own birth journey? Let’s explore this new model of birth. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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Maternal mental health is a public health imperative. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders(PMADs) are the number one complication during a woman's childbearing years affecting 1 in 7 women. Women of Color are three times more likely to experience perinatal mood disorders compared to white women. PMADs unlike many other comorbidities is detectable, and treatable. However, there are many systemic barriers that prohibit adequate, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of PMADs. Therefore, those on the frontline-birthworkers, doulas, lactation professionals, medical providers-supporting women and families need to be educated, equipped and empowered to help combat the silent mental health complications negatively impacting the lives of women, children and families during pregnancy and throughout the first year postpartum.

Live Presentation Schedule Oct 7, 2019

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07-10-2019 15:00 07-10-2019 16:00 35 Everyone Wants to Hold the Baby, Who Will Hold the Mother? Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders Maternal mental health is a public health imperative. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders(PMADs) are the number one complication during a woman's childbearing years affecting 1 in 7 women. Women of Color are three times more likely to experience perinatal mood disorders compared to white women. PMADs unlike many other comorbidities is detectable, and treatable. However, there are many systemic barriers that prohibit adequate, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of PMADs. Therefore, those on the frontline-birthworkers, doulas, lactation professionals, medical providers-supporting women and families need to be educated, equipped and empowered to help combat the silent mental health complications negatively impacting the lives of women, children and families during pregnancy and throughout the first year postpartum. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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The physiological onset of labour is a moment of enormous biological investment. Fetal readiness for the stresses of labour, and for the critical transition to life outside the womb, must be matched with maternal readiness for an effective, efficient labour and birth. In addition, pre-labour physiological preparations promote success for mother and newborn with breast-feeding and attachment, adding essential components to individual and species survival. Induction of labour, by definition, curtails full readiness for mother and baby. How might this impact hormonal physiology for mother and baby? Could there be longer-term effects? Join Dr Sarah Buckley, author of Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing, in this thought-provoking presentation.

Live Presentation Schedule Oct 1, 2019

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01-10-2019 13:00 01-10-2019 14:15 35 Induction of Labor: Hormonal Costs and Consequences for Mothers and Babies The physiological onset of labour is a moment of enormous biological investment. Fetal readiness for the stresses of labour, and for the critical transition to life outside the womb, must be matched with maternal readiness for an effective, efficient labour and birth. In addition, pre-labour physiological preparations promote success for mother and newborn with breast-feeding and attachment, adding essential components to individual and species survival. Induction of labour, by definition, curtails full readiness for mother and baby. How might this impact hormonal physiology for mother and baby? Could there be longer-term effects? Join Dr Sarah Buckley, author of Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing, in this thought-provoking presentation. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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Over 1/3 of women characterize their birth experience as traumatic, and 9% of mothers meet criteria for PSTD in the postpartum period. Certain vulnerable populations are even more at risk of trauma in various forms and cultural factors can strongly influence likelihood of lasting trauma. This presentation will differentiate avoidable, unavoidable and reactivated traumas as well as develop clinician understanding of abstract losses around trauma in the peripartum period.

After this program, clinicians will be able to identify antenatal women at risk for traumatic birth, how trauma history can impact their psychosocial development as it relates to being a pregnant woman in need of prenatal medical care, and how psychoeducation and counseling can prepare them for a positive birth experience in turn reducing likelihood of lingering post-traumatic symptoms. Clinicians will be able to implement informed and relevant psychotherapy interventions to help traumatized postpartum clients and their partners process their experience, reduce traumatic stress symptoms and reduce impact on the mother-baby attachment process.

Live Presentation Schedule Oct 15, 2019

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15-10-2019 19:00 15-10-2019 20:00 35 Intersections of Trauma & Birth: An Overview Over 1/3 of women characterize their birth experience as traumatic, and 9% of mothers meet criteria for PSTD in the postpartum period. Certain vulnerable populations are even more at risk of trauma in various forms and cultural factors can strongly influence likelihood of lasting trauma. This presentation will differentiate avoidable, unavoidable and reactivated traumas as well as develop clinician understanding of abstract losses around trauma in the peripartum period. After this program, clinicians will be able to identify antenatal women at risk for traumatic birth, how trauma history can impact their psychosocial development as it relates to being a pregnant woman in need of prenatal medical care, and how psychoeducation and counseling can prepare them for a positive birth experience in turn reducing likelihood of lingering post-traumatic symptoms. Clinicians will be able to implement informed and relevant psychotherapy interventions to help traumatized postpartum clients and their partners process their experience, reduce traumatic stress symptoms and reduce impact on the mother-baby attachment process. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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Pressure to be a perfect parent and perceptions of being “not good enough” can start even before conception. Having a baby is hard enough without piling guilt and shame on to the experience. There is a growing body of research showing that guilt and shame are important features of various psychological problems. In this presentation, Dr. Badali will discuss the difference between guilt and shame. She will also describe types of guilt and shame that are most strongly associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Finally, she will provide clinical tips on how to help moms deal with negative self-evaluations, perceived negative evaluations from others, and an irrational or heightened sense of responsibility. The goal of this presentation is to help health care professionals identify problematic guilt or shame during the perinatal period and implement strategies to improve maternal mental health.

Live Presentation Schedule Oct 7, 2019

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07-10-2019 21:00 07-10-2019 22:00 35 Maternal Guilt and Shame During the Perinatal Period Pressure to be a perfect parent and perceptions of being “not good enough” can start even before conception. Having a baby is hard enough without piling guilt and shame on to the experience. There is a growing body of research showing that guilt and shame are important features of various psychological problems. In this presentation, Dr. Badali will discuss the difference between guilt and shame. She will also describe types of guilt and shame that are most strongly associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Finally, she will provide clinical tips on how to help moms deal with negative self-evaluations, perceived negative evaluations from others, and an irrational or heightened sense of responsibility. The goal of this presentation is to help health care professionals identify problematic guilt or shame during the perinatal period and implement strategies to improve maternal mental health. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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Feeding a human infant human milk is physiologic and mammalian, but it is far from simple. Indeed, feeding human babies is a complex interplay between biology, culture, policy, practice, and access. This session will discuss the current understanding of the biologic complexity of breast/chestfeeding for parents and babies and the varying ways biology affects outcomes and satisfaction. We will explore the ways in which societal and familial culture add to the complexity of the nursing dyad and how dominant culture drives varying approaches to breastfeeding support around the globe and creates institutional forces (such as racism). This talk will investigate how access to support, supplies, milk substitutes, and definitions/measures of success play a significant role in lactation experiences. Importantly, policy often informs access, so we will examine the impact of the intersection of sociodemographics, policy, and practice on lactation experiences/outcomes. We will specifically explore times in which access and autonomy may be limited by legal or child welfare forces and the right to breastfeed becomes the central issue. Finally, the science of complex adaptive systems will be discussed and applied to specific clinical examples. This fresh, nuanced view of breast/chestfeeding complexity broadens the support provided by perinatal practitioners.

Live Presentation Schedule Oct 15, 2019

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15-10-2019 17:00 15-10-2019 18:00 35 More Than Mere Milk: The Complexities of Feeding Human Milk to Human Babies Feeding a human infant human milk is physiologic and mammalian, but it is far from simple. Indeed, feeding human babies is a complex interplay between biology, culture, policy, practice, and access. This session will discuss the current understanding of the biologic complexity of breast/chestfeeding for parents and babies and the varying ways biology affects outcomes and satisfaction. We will explore the ways in which societal and familial culture add to the complexity of the nursing dyad and how dominant culture drives varying approaches to breastfeeding support around the globe and creates institutional forces (such as racism). This talk will investigate how access to support, supplies, milk substitutes, and definitions/measures of success play a significant role in lactation experiences. Importantly, policy often informs access, so we will examine the impact of the intersection of sociodemographics, policy, and practice on lactation experiences/outcomes. We will specifically explore times in which access and autonomy may be limited by legal or child welfare forces and the right to breastfeed becomes the central issue. Finally, the science of complex adaptive systems will be discussed and applied to specific clinical examples. This fresh, nuanced view of breast/chestfeeding complexity broadens the support provided by perinatal practitioners. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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Pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal year are unique time periods in a woman’s life, that impact her identity, agency, and her ability to transition to a new or expanded role as mother. Socially, childbirth is loaded with expectations of joy, fulfillment, and love. What happens when a woman’s experience is coloured by the overlay of autism spectrum disorder? Perhaps her sensory threshold, her ability to read social cues in unfamiliar environments, or her partner’s ability to support her are all challenged by the settings and protocols of perinatal care. In the postnatal period, attachment, infant needs, and physical healing can be intensified by autism-spectrum differences. This presentation will consider current research on ASD in childbearing women, the roles of her family and care team when ASD is present, and will offer suggestions provided by women themselves who balance ASD and family demands in this unique and critical life phase.

Live Presentation Schedule Oct 21, 2019

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21-10-2019 17:00 21-10-2019 18:00 35 Navigating Childbirth and the Perinatal Period through the Lens of "Aspergers" and Autism Spectrum Disorder Pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal year are unique time periods in a woman’s life, that impact her identity, agency, and her ability to transition to a new or expanded role as mother. Socially, childbirth is loaded with expectations of joy, fulfillment, and love. What happens when a woman’s experience is coloured by the overlay of autism spectrum disorder? Perhaps her sensory threshold, her ability to read social cues in unfamiliar environments, or her partner’s ability to support her are all challenged by the settings and protocols of perinatal care. In the postnatal period, attachment, infant needs, and physical healing can be intensified by autism-spectrum differences. This presentation will consider current research on ASD in childbearing women, the roles of her family and care team when ASD is present, and will offer suggestions provided by women themselves who balance ASD and family demands in this unique and critical life phase. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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The parent-child relationship has a profound impact on society, yet our knowledge of neurobiological processes mediating the parent - child relationship are limited. We know that the transition to parenting is marked by pronounced effects on the physiology, neurobiology and behavior of the new parent. These effects are most pronounced in the mother during pregnancy and postpartum but are also evident in new fathers and are set in place to ensure that offspring survive. Unfortunately, during reproductive years, up to 20% of women around the globe will suffer from a perinatal mental illness, such as perinatal depression. These mental illnesses can markedly affect the brain, behavior and physiology of the mother and child and we have yet to determine how to effectively treat and ultimately treat these disorders. This presentation will provide a summary of the neurobiology of parenting and what we know about changes in the parental brain with mental illness. A discussion of treatment effects will also be provided. With increased research and awareness of the neurobiology of parenting we will be able to promote the health and well-being of mother and child.

Live Presentation Schedule Oct 15, 2019

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15-10-2019 15:00 15-10-2019 16:00 35 Parental Brain Plasticity: Implications for Peripartum Mental Illness The parent-child relationship has a profound impact on society, yet our knowledge of neurobiological processes mediating the parent - child relationship are limited. We know that the transition to parenting is marked by pronounced effects on the physiology, neurobiology and behavior of the new parent. These effects are most pronounced in the mother during pregnancy and postpartum but are also evident in new fathers and are set in place to ensure that offspring survive. Unfortunately, during reproductive years, up to 20% of women around the globe will suffer from a perinatal mental illness, such as perinatal depression. These mental illnesses can markedly affect the brain, behavior and physiology of the mother and child and we have yet to determine how to effectively treat and ultimately treat these disorders. This presentation will provide a summary of the neurobiology of parenting and what we know about changes in the parental brain with mental illness. A discussion of treatment effects will also be provided. With increased research and awareness of the neurobiology of parenting we will be able to promote the health and well-being of mother and child. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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The postpartum period offers rich opportunities for enhancing the well-being of women and affirming the value of their health and happiness. Yet, the weeks and months after childbirth have been a neglected area for women’s health in the US and in many settings. Through woman-centered engagement, the 4th Trimester Project team has co-developed priority areas for research, policy, communication, and health care service delivery.

Live Presentation Schedule Oct 7, 2019

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07-10-2019 19:00 07-10-2019 20:00 35 The 4th Trimester Project: Establishing the Care That Families Deserve in Their Transition to Parenthood The postpartum period offers rich opportunities for enhancing the well-being of women and affirming the value of their health and happiness. Yet, the weeks and months after childbirth have been a neglected area for women’s health in the US and in many settings. Through woman-centered engagement, the 4th Trimester Project team has co-developed priority areas for research, policy, communication, and health care service delivery. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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Childbirth is a profound psychological experience that has a physical, psychological, social and existential impact in both the short and longer term. It leaves lifelong vivid memories for women. The effects of a birth experience can be positive and empowering, or negative and traumatizing. Neurobiologically, childbirth is directed by hormones produced both by the maternal and the fetal brain. During childbirth and immediately after delivery both brains are immersed in a very specific neurohormonal scenario, impossible to reproduce artificially. The psychology of childbirth is likely to be mediated by these neuro hormones, as well as by particular cultural and personal issues. The peaks of endogenous oxytocin during labour, together with the progressive release of endorphins in the maternal brain, are likely to cause the altered state of consciousness most typical of unmedicated labour that midwives and mothers easily recognise or describe as “labour land” but that has received little attention from neuropsychology. Our research showed that giving birth physiologically is an intense and transformative psychological experience that generates a sense of empowerment. The benefits of this process can be maximised through physical, emotional and social support for women, enhancing their belief in their ability to birth and not disturbing physiology unless it is necessary.

Live Presentation Schedule Oct 21, 2019

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21-10-2019 13:00 21-10-2019 14:00 35 The Psychological Experience of Physiological Childbirth Childbirth is a profound psychological experience that has a physical, psychological, social and existential impact in both the short and longer term. It leaves lifelong vivid memories for women. The effects of a birth experience can be positive and empowering, or negative and traumatizing. Neurobiologically, childbirth is directed by hormones produced both by the maternal and the fetal brain. During childbirth and immediately after delivery both brains are immersed in a very specific neurohormonal scenario, impossible to reproduce artificially. The psychology of childbirth is likely to be mediated by these neuro hormones, as well as by particular cultural and personal issues. The peaks of endogenous oxytocin during labour, together with the progressive release of endorphins in the maternal brain, are likely to cause the altered state of consciousness most typical of unmedicated labour that midwives and mothers easily recognise or describe as “labour land” but that has received little attention from neuropsychology. Our research showed that giving birth physiologically is an intense and transformative psychological experience that generates a sense of empowerment. The benefits of this process can be maximised through physical, emotional and social support for women, enhancing their belief in their ability to birth and not disturbing physiology unless it is necessary. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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This talk will focus on the transition to parenthood among sexual minorities (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer individuals), including their decision-making about whether to become parents, what parenthood route to take (e.g., adoption, insemination, surrogacy), and their experiences navigating legal, adoption agency, and medical contexts. It will identify unique strengths that same-sex couples often bring to parenthood (e.g., a shared commitment to egalitarianism; an openness to nonbiological parenthood), as well as unique challenges that they encounter during the transition (e.g., heteronormativity in the adoption and perinatal contexts; lack of support from family). Furthermore, it will explore same-sex couples’ experiences during the transition to parenthood and beyond, including parent-child relationships, parents’ mental health, and parents’ relationship quality, as well as risk factors for poor outcomes in these domains. Best practices for practitioners who interface with same-sex couples and parents, particularly during the transition to parenthood, will be identified. Attention to parent gender and specific sexual identity (bisexual, lesbian, gay) will be incorporated, where appropriate.

Live Presentation Schedule Oct 21, 2019

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21-10-2019 15:00 21-10-2019 16:00 35 The Transition to Parenthood for Sexual Minorities This talk will focus on the transition to parenthood among sexual minorities (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer individuals), including their decision-making about whether to become parents, what parenthood route to take (e.g., adoption, insemination, surrogacy), and their experiences navigating legal, adoption agency, and medical contexts. It will identify unique strengths that same-sex couples often bring to parenthood (e.g., a shared commitment to egalitarianism; an openness to nonbiological parenthood), as well as unique challenges that they encounter during the transition (e.g., heteronormativity in the adoption and perinatal contexts; lack of support from family). Furthermore, it will explore same-sex couples’ experiences during the transition to parenthood and beyond, including parent-child relationships, parents’ mental health, and parents’ relationship quality, as well as risk factors for poor outcomes in these domains. Best practices for practitioners who interface with same-sex couples and parents, particularly during the transition to parenthood, will be identified. Attention to parent gender and specific sexual identity (bisexual, lesbian, gay) will be incorporated, where appropriate. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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For many women, pregnancy, as well as labor and delivery, represent the key physiological events predisposing them to urinary incontinence and associated pelvic floor dysfunction. Our knowledge of obstetrical pelvic floor injuries, and their connection to incontinence and pelvic floor disorders thereafter, has vastly increased in recent years. Primary care clinicians and those working with women through the perinatal care period should be aware of the potential effects of pregnancy and childbirth on the pelvic floor as well how to promote optimal pelvic health.

Professional associations are concerned about the increase of intervention during childbirth, as it introduces unnecessary risks for mother and baby. According to a review of the evidence, social and cultural changes have fostered an insecurity in women regarding their ability to give birth without technological intervention. Further, the publication of numerous clinical practice guidelines in the last few years actually confer the notion that a physiologic birth protects the pelvic floor. Other aspects of upstream care for the pelvic floor in the perinatal care period have been been also substantiated and corroborated in recent years. This presentation will review that evidence-base related to the promotion of optimal pelvic health through the perinatal care period.

Live Presentation Schedule Oct 7, 2019

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07-10-2019 17:00 07-10-2019 18:00 35 ”Pushing” to Prevent Stress Urinary Incontinence For many women, pregnancy, as well as labor and delivery, represent the key physiological events predisposing them to urinary incontinence and associated pelvic floor dysfunction. Our knowledge of obstetrical pelvic floor injuries, and their connection to incontinence and pelvic floor disorders thereafter, has vastly increased in recent years. Primary care clinicians and those working with women through the perinatal care period should be aware of the potential effects of pregnancy and childbirth on the pelvic floor as well how to promote optimal pelvic health. Professional associations are concerned about the increase of intervention during childbirth, as it introduces unnecessary risks for mother and baby. According to a review of the evidence, social and cultural changes have fostered an insecurity in women regarding their ability to give birth without technological intervention. Further, the publication of numerous clinical practice guidelines in the last few years actually confer the notion that a physiologic birth protects the pelvic floor. Other aspects of upstream care for the pelvic floor in the perinatal care period have been been also substantiated and corroborated in recent years. This presentation will review that evidence-base related to the promotion of optimal pelvic health through the perinatal care period. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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