Research and resources for perinatal professionals.
January 25, 2023 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
This month’s Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators idea focuses on the theme of “red and green” as a way for class participants to say “yes or no” or “agree or disagree” and test their knowledge on a variety of topics. It is a great activity that is easy to run, requires no special supplies, works equally well in person or virtually, and is enjoyed by all. To find all the Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators ideas for free, check out this link.
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January 18, 2023 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
Podcasts hosted by Black and Brown perinatal professionals are able to speak to the experiences, circumstances and challenges faced by families of color who are welcoming babies into their lives. Black and Brown families are disproportionately impacted by higher maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity rates. These adverse outcomes are a result of systemic racism, medical racism and a lack of health care providers who share the culture and identity of the people they are caring for.
January 11, 2023 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Both pregnant and non-pregnant people should be aware of their risk factors for this type of cancer and be sure to following the screening guidelines recommended by their health care provider. As childbirth educators, we talk a lot about the role of the cervix in labor, when informing families about the labor and birth process. Here are ten facts about the cervix that you should be aware of.
January 04, 2023 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
It is the first week of 2023 and childbirth educators everywhere are starting out with the entire year about to unfold. Many of us are starting new classes and series already, and should be applying a fresh eye towards updated information and activities. Before things pick up too much speed and your teaching schedule takes over, carve out a few minutes to complete these tasks that ensure that your families are getting all the best, current information they need to have a positive birth experience in 2023.
December 28, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
This month’s Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators is all about the “grab bag.” December is a gift giving time of year for many cultures around the world, this post will take a fresh look at different childbirth education ideas that involve students picking an item out of a bag and providing discussion opportunities around a variety of themes. For free access to all the Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators ideas, follow this link.
December 21, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
It is with great sadness that I invite you all to join me in saying good-bye to Cara Terreri, the community manager for Giving Birth with Confidence (GBWC) - the Lamaze International consumer blog for families. Cara has held this position since the blog started in 2009. Over the past years, Cara has shared information, encouraged families, provided valuable resources and been a steady rock for so many people around the world, helping them to navigate pregnancy, labor/birth, feeding, postpartum and parenting with confidence, evidenced based information, and encouragement. It is estimated that Cara has written over 2000 posts for the GBWC blog. Sharon Muza interviews Cara about her 13 plus years in the community manager role.
December 14, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
December is a gift-giving season in many cultures and places around the world. Today’s seasonal blog post is about gifts that any childbirth educator might like to receive themselves, and some suggestions on where to make end of year gift donations to nonprofit organizations that support families in important ways.
December 07, 2022 | by: Ken McGee, PT, DPT
Emptying the bladder after giving birth can be difficult. Despite having a full bladder, a person might sit down and just release drops, if that. Sometimes there is a feeling that urine is left over inside the bladder. Some studies suggest that about 10% of vaginal births are affected by bladder voiding dysfunction (Perú Biurrun et al., 2020). Here are some of my top tips as a pelvic floor physical therapist to support voiding after giving birth.
November 30, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
This month’s Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators is less a structured activity and more of a technique that creates offers many benefits. It provides the educator with opportunities to reinforce best practices, creates community in the class, positions expectant people as the expert in their own care and helps exercise their “self-advocacy muscles” which are critical for a positive birth experience. To find all the Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators activities for free on Connecting the Dots, follow this link.
November 23, 2022 | by: Cara Terreri
November 17 was World Prematurity Day, a time to spread information on how prematurity affects babies, parents, and families, and how it can be prevented. This year, to call attention to this important concern and seize on the recent elections and newly elected lawmakers, perinatal professionals and parents are encouraged to join March of Dimes' "Mamagenda" in support of #BlanketChange, a campaign that urges US lawmakers to pass legislation that improves health care equity and access, and outcomes for parents and babies, including the prevention of prematurity. The current preterm birth rate is 10.5 percent -- the highest ever reported by March of Dimes.
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