Research and resources for perinatal professionals.
June 15, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
As the world marks 2 ½ years of a long, hard slog through the global COVID-19 pandemic, a new study was just released in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that may create potential concern for pregnant and new families. Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at 1 Year in Infants of Mothers Who Tested Positive for SARS-CoV-2 During Pregnancy indicates a relationship between neurodevelopmental delays on 12 month old impacts and the COVID status of the parent during pregnancy. Infants were diagnosed at 12 months with neurodevelopmental delays at higher rates if they were exposed to COVID in utero.
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June 09, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
In 2021, a new systematic review and meta-analysis was published: Maternal Oxygen Supplementation Compared With Room Air for Intrauterine Resuscitation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis that examined if oxygen administration impacted the fetus/newborn.
June 01, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Pride Month is recognized in the United States annually in June. Pride Month was established to honor the Stonewall Riots that took place in June, 1969 in New York City. The Stonewall Riots were a catalyst for people to organize, for the first time in 1970 on the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, to protect and honor the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer plus (LGBTQ+) community in the USA and globally.
May 25, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
This month’s Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators recognizes that May is Maternal Mental Health Month. A simple activity that encourages pregnant and new parents to reach out for support when they are experiencing some emotional bumps in the road. You can find all the Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators posts here at this link for free.
May 18, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Currently, the families in your childbirth classes may have more anxiety and concerns around lactation and infant feeding than the typical level of nerves and questions you are accustomed to. The United States is currently experiencing a human milk substitute shortage that is increasing stress and worry amongst those who are still pregnant about what they will face after their babies are born. Some families are planning to bodyfeed their infants. Others may be choosing a mixture of human milk substitutes along with their own milk and a third group may not be planning to provide human milk at all but rather rely on purchased human milk substitutes. Regardless of what their intentions are, families are concerned about not being able to provide adequate and appropriate nutrition for their newborn when they arrive and what alternatives will be for their babies. News headlines, social media channels and communities of parents everywhere make it impossible to ignore the elephant in the room when you gather with your classes.
April 27, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
This month’s Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators activity is aligned with Cesarean Awareness Month, which is observed annually in April. It is short and to the point, and helps families identify the cesarean rates of their chosen birth location. With this information, families can have conversations with their health care providers about how to avoid a cesarean that is not medically necessary.
April 11, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
Black Maternal Health Week is observed annually every April 11 through 17th since 2018. This week of awareness and activism was founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) to bring attention to the increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates that impact Black birthing people and their babies at significantly higher rates than non-Black families.
The theme of this year’s Black Maternal Health Week is “Building for Liberation: Centering Black Mamas, Black Families and Black Systems of Care.” Black families deserve to have access to Black care teams, and that includes childbirth educators. We know that outcomes are better when a Black parent can receive perinatal care from a Black midwife or doctor. As a childbirth educator, there are several things that you can do to center Black birthing families and help Black. You can use this checklist to see where you can implement or change how you practice. This is an opportunity to increase your efforts if you already have some of the suggestions below in place.
April 05, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
April is Global Volunteer Month. Lamaze International is a non-profit that has been built on the dedication and contribution of many volunteers from all around the world since its inception in 1960. Even though our organization’s headquarters are located in Washington DC, USA, the organization is indeed international with members from many parts of the world. Over the years, people from many nations have stepped up to give back to Lamaze International. Did you know that Tanya Cawthorne, our current Board President is from Melbourne, Australia?
March 28, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
Discussions about the role of birth and postpartum doulas happen early on in my childbirth classes, when we talk about what makes for a satisfying birth experience. There is often confusion about what a doula does compared to a midwife. People also worry about the role of the partner or other family member when a doula is present. Some parents who are planning to have an epidural or even a planned cesarean question the need for professional doula support. This CBE activity helps clarify the unique role of the doula.
March 16, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza
There are many benefits to being a member of Lamaze International. You do not have to be a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. You may join Lamaze and receive the same benefits as people who hold the LCCE credentials. You can read all about the member benefits and join Lamaze International from here.
While I appreciate and utilize so many of the valuable benefits that are provided with my Lamaze membership, I really celebrate access to The Cochrane Library, a collection of databases containing independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making.
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