Research and resources for perinatal professionals.
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.
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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.
November 16, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Tranexamic acid is a medication that is being used with more frequency to resolve postpartum hemorrhage due to its effective ability to control bleeding post-birth. This life saving medication is a welcome tool and is being used globally to help save the lives of birthing people. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently published a special report that brought up a concerning and tragic issue as the use of tranexamic acid has increased.
November 09, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
Inviting guest subject matter experts into your childbirth classes is a winning proposition for everyone involved - the childbirth educator, the families in their classes and the specialists who share their expertise. Having guests join you for specific sections helps liven up classes and makes them more interesting for attendees. If you are a childbirth educator, consider where you can enhance the information your families receive by inviting guest speakers to your classes and help families make connections with people who can be a resource for them during pregnancy and also after the birth.
November 02, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
Lamaze International shared a number of positive, informative updates in their 2022 Annual Meeting held virtually on November 2, 2022, for all current Lamaze members. During this meeting, Lamaze members had a chance to say hello to the new Executive Director Sil Quevedo who is attending her first Annual meeting since being appointed earlier in 2022. You can find out all the details of the 2022 Member Meeting on Connecting the Dots.
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