InCast

Join us as we explore gentle sleep support—for both parents and babies—with Sierra Brooks, CAPPA Certified Postpartum Doula, Gentle Sleep Coach, and Certified Lactation Counselor.  In this episode, Sierra shares insights into how helping parents understand the biological needs of their babies, and how to accommodate those needs while getting enough rest themselves, can reduce maternal mental health struggles. After years of “cry it out” being the norm, Sierra offers a fresh perspective on emerging, more compassionate, and evidence-based sleep strategies.  By understanding these evolving approaches, we can better support the families we teach, treat, and care for.  About Sierra  Sierra Brooks is the owner and founder of Bud to Blossom, a Salt Lake City-based company dedicated to supporting the postpartum needs of new and growing families. As a CAPPA Certified Postpartum Doula, Gentle Sleep Coach, and Certified Lactation Counselor, Sierra helps families understand the cycles, rhythms, and cues of babies and guides parents as they implement sleep strategies tailored to their needs.  She has expanded Bud to Blossom to offer services such as birth doula support, infant feeding guidance, photography, and more—with the ultimate goal of helping families feel supported, confident, and prepared on their parenting journey.  Listen and Learn:  How new families can maximize their sleep and rest  How better sleep can help reduce mental health difficulties  What families should look for when interviewing sleep counselors, coaches, or trainers  How to teach parents about the baby's biological needs for sleeping and eating  The roles and philosophies of different sleep support professionals  When it's the right time to seek professional sleep help   How to help families choose the practitioner that is right for them  Why bringing the baby outside the house daily supports sleep cycles  How “noticing” is different from “tracking” to reduce anxiety  What the difference is between active sleep and deep sleep in babies  Resources & Mentions:  More Info on Sierra:  Email: sierra@bud2blossom.com  Website: Bud to Blossom  Instagram: @bud2blossomgram  Sleep Counseling Institute:  Website: sleepcounselinginstitute.com/sci-certification  *Use code injoy for a discount  Instagram: @thesleepwich  Sierra's Favorite Baby Sleep Expert:  Dr. Lyndsey Hookway  Instagram: @lyndsey_hookway  Website: lyndseyhookway.com  Recommended Books:  Let's Talk About Your Family Sleep (for parents)  Holistic Sleep Coaching (for professionals)  Related Products from InJoy:  Understanding Your Newborn Curriculum  Understanding Postpartum Health & Your Baby Curriculum  Understanding Infant & Child Safety Curriculum  Related Blogs and Podcasts from InJoy:   Podcast: Making Safe Sleep Possible for all Families with Devon George of Cribs for Kids 

Sarah —better known as the “Labor Junkie RN”— is a practicing high-risk labor nurse, social media influencer, and mom of three.  You may have seen her on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook sharing evidence-based insights on pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.  She often ends reels with “For more information on pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum, give me a follow and check out my page”.  So, we did—and invited her to share her wisdom with you in this special podcast episode.  As a nurse and mom of three who chose unmedicated births, Sarah brings a unique perspective to the low-intervention birth experience. In this podcast, we talk to her about her choices and tips for others if they plan to have low- intervention births. But she's quick to remind us, she thinks the right choice for birthing families is the choice they make, and hopes we remember that birth is not a competition. Everyone should make their own choices.   Listen and Learn:  Why Sarah decided to make reels for social media—and how she keeps it going  Her passion for informed consent and education  Why she attended a birth class with her husband even though she was already an OB nurse   How planning ahead helps families achieve their birth goals  How she supports her patients in labor specific to their birth plan  When and how parents can ask to change to a nurse who supports their goals in labor  How a doula or other trained labor support person can make a difference  What a difference it can make to stay home in early labor on outcomes  Why she chose not to be induced  How exercise, yoga, and good nutrition helped her through her births  Resources & Mentions:  tiktok.com/@labor_junkie_rn  instagram.com/labor_junkie_rn   facebook.com/LaborJunkieRN   youtube.com/@labor_junkie_rn  Related Products from InJoy:  Understanding Birth  Understanding Natural Childbirth Techniques eClass  Stages of Labor  Pain Management for Childbirth, Volume 1: Comfort Techniques  Related Blogs and Podcasts from InJoy:  Blog: Tips for Teaching a Childbirth Class: Introducing the TENS Unit as a Labor Comfort Measure  Podcast: Spinning Babies – Comfort in Pregnancy and Easier Births with Gail Tully 

Too many moms and babies are dying in the US! Many of those tragedies are avoidable. We have seen this problem, talked about the problem, and yet, the problem still exists. Poor outcomes can happen because of lack of respect and not listening to what is being said by the patient, especially BIPOC patients.   Today we are speaking to Dr. Renée Canady, a relationship-driven leader and author of the recently published book, “Room at the Table: A Leader's Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Justice.”  She is recognized as a national thought leader in the areas of health inequities and disparities, cultural competence, and social justice. Dr. Canady has been highly influential in broadening the discussion of health equity and social justice while serving on numerous national boards, review panels, and advisory groups.   We wanted to talk with her after we learned what she is doing to advance change for pregnant and birthing women and families in the Detroit area. Join us to learn about her leadership in bringing about positive change for birthing families. She left us with this thought: “Don't get tired of doing the right thing. There will be a benefit to you, to me, and to generations if we don't throw in the towel”.     Listen and Learn:  What it means to look through an equity lens  How productive outrage and righteous indignation can make changes for the better  How these types of conversations impact the life expectancy of mothers and babies  Why we need to understand that the mom is the expert of the mom  What servant leadership has to do with positive change  The difference between power and empowerment  How understanding generational birth experiences can change the current culture of a mom and family  Resources, Mentions & Related Products from InJoy  More about Dr. Canady   To learn more about “Room at the Table,” click here.  Podcasts  Getting Uncomfortable About Health Equity with Natalie Burke   Mama Bird: Serving the Community Through Compassionate Doula Services  Creating Breastfeeding-Friendly Communities   Blogs  Language Justice: Perinatal Education in Multiple Languages Means Healthier Outcomes for All  Walking Across Kenya to Support Safe Births and Secure Families: Reflections and Lessons Learned   Webinars  The Impact of Racism in Healthcare and the Perinatal Period – Part 1  The Impact of Racism in Healthcare and the Perinatal Period – Part 2   

Gestational diabetes changes the direction of many women's pregnancies.  Once the determination is made, things are not so straightforward after that.  In this podcast we will explore how the path to birth changes once a diagnosis is made and what women can do to have a birth with as few complications as possible. We also look at what women can do to prevent the diagnosis in the first place.  We discussed this important topic with Lily Nichols, who is a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author with a passion for evidence-based prenatal nutrition guidance. Her work is known for being research-focused, thorough, and critical of outdated dietary guidelines. She is the co-founder of the Women's Health Nutrition Academy and the author of two books, Real Food for Pregnancy and Real Food for Gestational Diabetes. Lily's bestselling books have helped tens of thousands of mamas (and babies!). They are used in university-level maternal nutrition and midwifery courses and have even influenced prenatal nutrition policy internationally.     Listen and Learn:  How women can change things in their lives to avoid gestational diabetes What impact exercise has on blood sugar levels  How much education most OBs/MFMs/FMOBs have in nutrition and gestational diabetes  What tests are currently used to look for gestational diabetes and how accurate they are  Why old standards of test outcomes are still in practice and what newer options are available that may be more predictive How the morning meal affects blood sugar levels    Resources & Mentions:  Lily Nichols' Website     Related Products from InJoy: Understanding Pregnancy Curriculum Understanding Birth Curriculum Understanding Prenatal Nutrition 

When a mother has the devastating experience of leaving the hospital without a baby and perhaps only a memory box, many in our society expect them to get on with living and go back to their normal life.  But their life is changed forever, and many don't recognize or acknowledge that. Today we will hear the story of grief, anger, a battle, and finally, a life's purpose for one mother who had to walk this hard path. Through her mission, she struggled to get family leave extended to grieving parents, so no one would have to suffer as she did. She also discovered the importance of providing resources for self-care and connection to bereavement groups. Elizabeth “Liz” O'Donnell is a steadfast infant loss advocate leading the charge in raising awareness and prevention of stillbirth and infant mortality. Her daughter, Aaliyah, was born still in 2020. Today, she runs a one-woman non-profit, Aaliyah in Action, keeping her daughter's spirit alive, supporting mothers and families across the country who experience the pain of losing a baby, and advocating for legislation that could reduce the number of U.S. stillbirths. Liz is also a Director of Awareness for PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, a grassroots initiative that advocates for evidence-based, respectful, and equitable maternity care aimed at preventing loss when possible. Before her advocacy work, Liz was a dedicated D.C. Public Schools elementary math and science schoolteacher for 7 years.    Listen and Learn: What hospitals traditionally do when a baby is born still How it feels for one mom to leave the hospital with empty arms That some states give FMLA leave for the parents of loss, and some don't Why Liz created this package for other grieving moms What is in the Self Care Box and why many hospitals now give out the boxes How you can share the importance of post-loss care with your hospital or agency   Resources & Mentions: Aaliyah in Action Push for Empowered Pregnancy Count the Kicks Elizabeth O'Donnell - hello@aaliyahinaction.org   Related Products from InJoy: Guide to Grief and Healing After the Loss of Your Baby

Join us for the latest information on perinatal addiction.  We will explore the most commonly used substances that affect the lives of families and their babies during pregnancy and postpartum. We also discuss the new legislation in some states that has changed the way that parents with substance use issues are treated.  Since it's been proven that punitive measures do not lead to change with people who have this complicated problem, new laws were put into place with the hope that women with substance use issues start prenatal care earlier. You'll also learn how educators and other birth workers can offer resources for those who want to seek help.     Our guest, Dr. Kaylin Klie, MD, MA is an addiction medicine specialist who works at UCHealth in Colorado as an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Psychiatry with a special focus on perinatal addiction. She is the founder of the Denver Health and University of Colorado OB Addiction Medicine clinics, which provide integrated peripartum care and substance use assessment and treatment for pregnant and mothering women.  Dr. Klie has been on a steering committee member for the State of Colorado Substance Exposed Newborn task force, and the co-chair for Provider Education. She served on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Maternal Mortality Review Committee, helping healthcare workers and the public understand the impact substance use continues to have on maternal morbidity and mortality in Colorado.    Listen and Learn   How legislative changes for Colorado families include that substance exposure during a pregnancy alone is no longer automatically considered child abuse or neglect How a punitive response to substance use in pregnancy has negative health effects for families, instead of being helpful   What is meant by “context more than the toxicology” in helping to keep a plan of safe care for the family  That substance use covers a wide variety of products that people are addicted to  How to think about what kind of support a person who uses substances may need  When we welcome people with substance use into our services and classes, it helps them seek prenatal care rather than waiting due to fear    Resources & Mentions Get in touch with Dr. Klie:  KAYLIN.KLIE@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU    Related Products from InJoy Understanding Pregnancy Curriculum Understanding Birth Curriculum Understanding Breastfeeding Curriculum Alcohol & Pregnancy You Can Quit! How to Stop Smoking During Pregnancy Healthy Steps for Teen Parents 

Mama Bird Doula Services' mission is to improve the maternal health outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) and their babies in their community.  They believe that all birthing persons and their families should feel Safe, Seen, and Heard. Through lived experience, the founder of Mama Bird, Birdie Johnson, came to understand the importance of having complete support and information to make decisions for the best possible outcomes.  Knowing that this support and information is often missing, she made it her mission to be sure that others would have a better birth and postpartum experience than she had. Because knowledge is power, she set out to make the childbearing year better for those in her community.   Today's podcast includes the history of Mama Bird Doula Services as we visit with Felicia Hawkins, Director of Doula Program, and Emma Lemke, Director of Communications and Outreach.  Felicia is a seasoned healthcare professional and dedicated advocate for expectant mothers and Mama Bird's Doula Mentor. With 24 years of dynamic patient/client care, a doula certification, and robust nursing expertise, Felicia brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the organization. Her alignment with Mama Bird's mission of empowering BIPOC pregnant individuals for better birth outcomes further amplifies her impact as Mama Bird's Doula Mentor.  Emma is a dedicated professional with a background in program management and volunteer coordination, driven by her fervent commitment to reproductive justice. Her unwavering commitment to reproductive justice, bodily autonomy, queer and trans liberation, and anti-racism is evident and aligns with Mama Bird's mission of increasing visibility for families of color.     Listen and Learn:   What gap was seen in maternity care for first black and then all people of color that Mama Bird aims to close   Who qualifies for the services Mama Bird Doula Services offers  What challenges or barriers do Mama Bird's clients face  How the doulas who work with Mama Bird are trained  What the “Care-Team” model is   Who funds the work that the organization does  What makes Mama Bird's services different from other organizations  How listeners can create a program similar to Mama Bird in their own area    Resources & Mentions:  Mama Bird Doula Services    InJoy Products:  Understanding Pregnancy Curriculum Understanding Birth Curriculum Understanding Breastfeeding Curriculum Understanding Your Newborn Curriculum   

For more than 40 years, the Nurse-Family Partnership has been improving the lives of first-time mothers and their babies! Nurses from the organization work with families for the first 1,000 days, from pregnancy until the baby reaches 2 years of age. You have probably heard of this community health program but may not have been sure of all they do.  Listen in to learn more about their successes with the more than 380,000 families that NFP nurses have served since 1996.  Perhaps some of your clients would benefit from the program!  Our guests are Jane Pray, Sara Lynch, and Wendy O'Shea, who are all part of this program in various capacities.  Jane is a Director of Regional Nursing Practice at the National Service Office for Nurse-Family Partnership. She helps with vision and strategic planning for the Nursing Department.  Sara has worked for NFP for over 25 years. She is now the Senior Manager for Nursing Education.  She manages the nursing teams and facilitates education sessions and webinars. Wendy is a Senior Manager for Nursing Practice where she has worked for six years.  Before coming to NFP, Wendy was a nurse in maternal child health in Pennsylvania.   Listen and Learn:  How the family leads the relationship with her nurse and how the organization is client-centered   What positive outcomes are reached with first-time families in the program, including decreasing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates, especially those that continue to work with their nurse for two years  How helping families be self-sufficient has broader economic benefits  How the Community Advisory Board in each town helps connect families with resources  Who is eligible to become a Nurse-Family Partner client  What additional services, beyond medical checks, NFP helps with  How cultural sensitivity is built into their training and displayed everyday    Resources & Mentions:   More info on Nurse-Family Partnership   NFP Moms  Related Products from InJoy: New Parent Clips Parenting BASICS Stages of Labor Understanding Birth Curriculum Understanding Breastfeeding Curriculum Understanding Fatherhood Curriculum

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 aucutt.megan@healthybirthday.org    Related Products from InJoy: Understanding Pregnancy Curriculum Understanding Birth Curriculum

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:  peaks_bloomprogram@imail.org or call 303-318-2621  Recovery Nurse Advocates: Michelle Dueto (Michelle.dueto@imail.org) and Stacy Hernandez (Stacy.hernandez@imail.org)   Megan Teague can be reached at Megan.Teague@imail.org     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, grief—and 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 Nicole@gracefulfusion.com    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:  toniharman@hotmail.com   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 psguzmanibclc@gmail.com or Info@perinatalsupportgroup.com    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: David.Lagrew@hoag.org   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 aburgess2@wellspan.org   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 info@cappa.net  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 nominations@dona.org 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 

USLCA (United States Lactation Consultant Association), founded in 2006, is an organization that supports the advancement of lactation professionals of all types in the United States.  Their aim is to make sure all families have support to meet their breastfeeding goals by advocating for the value of lactation care providers who contribute to the family healthcare team and are active in other community health settings.  Listen to our guests speak about the history, current activities, and their vision for the future of USLCA.   Michelle Stulberger, President of USLCA, holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Master of Healthcare Administration, and IBCLC (2014.) She is the Senior Director of Clinical Support Services for MedStar Visiting Nurse Association in Calverton, Maryland.  During the podcast, she will tell her story of becoming an IBCLC.  Danielle has served as USLCAs Executive Director since 2014 after leading a continuity of care breastfeeding project at a non-profit in her hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska. Following her Bachelor's degree in Nutritional Science and Dietetics, Danielle earned her Master of Public Health. As a focus of her graduate work, Danielle developed a standard of care for telehealth in lactation and fostered an even stronger passion for breastfeeding and the important role of skilled lactation care.  Danielle resides in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and their 2 young daughters.    Listen and Learn:   How a US-based organization can meet the need of lactation professionals nationally  What resources are offered to members and the public through their organization  How USLCA has assisted their members through COVID-19  What USLCA does to support certification  USLCA’s vision for the future including advocacy, inclusivity, and making lactation support a sustainable career  How you can be involved in USLCA      Resources & Mentions:   Visit the USLCA Website Educational Resources from USLCA    Related Products from InJoy:   Understanding Breastfeeding Breastfeeding Basics Practices to Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding: Managing Common Challenges Staff Training eCourse Practices to Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding: Core Concepts Staff Training eCourse 

Curiosity about why one woman labored in a straightforward manner and a woman in a similar situation struggled much more led Gail Tully to ask why.  She dug in to understand not only the role of the pelvic bones in labor but also the soft tissues that can either create a good pathway or block baby’s progress through them.  Listen to her story and how she developed new techniques and reimagined some older ones to help birthing people create an easier path for their babies to emerge.   Gail Tully, CPM, is the Spinning Babies Lady and an expert in Fetal Positioning. A new paradigm emerged in 2001 with Spinning Babies® putting physiology first in labor progress to replace the high dependence on cesarean surgery. Previously a DONA International approved doula trainer, doula and homebirth midwife, Gail was a founding mother of the Childbirth Collective, one of the largest doula non-profits in the USA. She created the Hennepin County Medical Center’s Doula Project and led trainings for the Somali Doula Program and Turtle Women of St. Paul’s American Indian Family Center.   Gail Tully and her 14 Approved Trainers offer workshops and world speaking engagements.  Listen and Learn:  How curiosity, coupled with solid understanding of anatomy and physiology created the Spinning Babies program  The impact of gravity on the 30 muscles in the pelvis and how to work with these structures  The things birthing people can do to ease tension in pregnancy and create a good path for their baby when birthing time comes  The various training courses and who they are intended for  Why so many providers are becoming skilled in these techniques    Resources & Mentions:  https://spinningbabies.com/     Related Products from InJoy   Understanding Birth Curriculum Miracle of Birth 3: Five Birth Stories Miracle of Birth 4: Five Birth Stories    Pain Management for Childbirth – Vol. 1  

Listen as Christen Sadler, Immediate Past President of Lamaze, tells us more about Lamaze’s beginnings, how they have grown, and where the future may be taking them.  Christen shares ways the organization advances their mission: “Advancing Safe & Healthy Birth for Everyone, Everywhere.”  Learn more about Lamaze’s current projects, including research and advocacy to help not only the educators but also parents in this country and others.    A Registered Nurse for over 25 years, Christen Sadler’s experience spans multiple specialty areas including gerontology, med/surg, women’s health, and community health, as well as nursing education. She has worked in various capacities in Africa, South America, and the Southern United States. Currently she is a student in the PhD program at Texas Women’s University. In fall of 2020, she will join the faculty at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing as an Assistant Professor. Additionally, she teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas. She is immediate past president of Lamaze International and teaches private Lamaze classes.  Listen and Learn:  About advancing safe and healthy pregnancy, birth, and early parenting through evidence-based education and advocacy  How birth is a transformative experience for birthing families, whether it is positive or negative  How the annual Advocacy Summit transformed into two town halls & a series of webinars explore virtual teaching, small business loans, equity in maternal mortality, and for incarcerated women and other important topics for educators  What new efforts are in place to increase childbirth education internationally  How you can promote the mission by joining one of the committees, such as Research, Equity and Diversity, Outreach, or Advocacy    Resources & Mentions  Lamaze International Website Lamaze Volunteer Opportunities  Lamaze Volunteer Interest Form “A Key Strategy to Improve U.S. Maternal & Childbirth Outcomes” White Paper    Related Products from InJoy  Understanding Birth Curiculum Mother’s Advocate: an InJoy & Lamaze Jointly Produced Website & Videos 

Rixa Freeze has a PhD from the University of Iowa and is a researcher, professor, and mother of four children. Her current research specialization is vaginal breech birth. She is the president of Breech Without Borders, a 501(c)3 nonprofit and teaches at a private liberal arts college. She blogs at Stand and Deliver. Listen and Learn: A lack of research may impede the view of breech birth as a normal life event Training for delivering singleton breech babies is not very common in US medical schools Research on breech birth outcomes is more available in other countries and some is now happening in the US also Many of the studies present conflicting information Not everyone with a breech baby is a good candidate for a breech vaginal birth Those that are good candidates may be able to avoid a cesarean with the right healthcare provider More breech vaginal births would likely be done if more healthcare providers were knowledgeable in the techniques, risks, and safety considerations. Breech Without Boarders is doing grassroots training for practitioners to relearn the skills here in the US and abroad Resources & Mentions: Breech Without Borders  Vaginal breech workshops Reteach Breech fundraiser Stand and Deliver Blog Breech Without Borders Vimeo page Instructional breech birth videos (showing the normal mechanisms of breech) Related Products from InJoy Understanding Birth Curriculum

In Life After Loss Part 1, Katherine tells her story of loss and how it impacted her personal growth and her family.  Be sure to give it a listen.  (Click here for part 1) Listen to Part 2 as we continue to follow Katherine’s journey to becoming a Perinatal Bereavement Psychotherapist and having her Rainbow Baby Alice.  She always desired to have a big family but after a loss there was a lot to think about.  Getting pregnant again unexpectedly created uncertainty that Katherine and her husband worked through.  But looking back, Katherine realized that she was just going through the motions of this new pregnancy.  Find out how this new baby transformed their lives and how attachment is different with a Rainbow Baby.   Katherine Hyde Hensley is a perinatal bereavement psychotherapist and group facilitator skilled in bereavement. She has a broad range of experience and knowledge in the areas of birth, postpartum, child development, infant death, and grief. Katherine earned her BS in Public Health and Child Development and her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and received her training as a Certified Postpartum Doula (DONA), certified Birth Doula (DONA), Resolve Through Sharing Perinatal Bereavement Trainer, Perinatal Loss Doula (LDI), and Palliative Care Provider from Harvard Medical School.  Since 2008 she has combined her personal and professional experiences to improve the lives of infants, children, and families across Western North Carolina. Katherine lives in Asheville, NC with her husband Dave and four children, Elliott 19, Eliza 16, (Helen 14), and Alice 13.   Listen and Learn:  How fear impacts pregnancy after loss  How caregivers could have helped lessen that fear  What her “ghost pregnancy” means  How Katherine moved from detached to attached  What groups you should know about to help women you work with  How online groups may be a benefit to both parents    Resources & Mentions:    Threads of Love  Star Legacy Foundation      Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Alliance (PLIDA)     Katherine Hyde Hensley Counseling and Consulting    Related Products from InJoy:    Guide to Grief and Healing After the Loss of your Baby 

Loss is always difficult.  Losing someone you’re supposed to be meeting for the first time and spending the rest of your life with is even tougher.  Katherine and her family planned for a joyful event, the birth of their daughter Helen, but that turned to sorrow when Helen was stillborn.     Listen in as we follow Katherine’s journey of becoming a postpartum and loss doula and ultimately, a Perinatal Bereavement Psychotherapist.  She will walk us through resources and research shaping the world of loss and provide ideas for healing that we can use with our families, friends, students, or clients experiencing similar types of loss.     Katherine Hyde Hensley is a perinatal bereavement psychotherapist and group facilitator skilled in bereavement. She has a broad range of experience and knowledge in the areas of birth, postpartum, child development, infant death, and grief. Katherine earned her BS in Public Health and Child Development and her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and received her training as a Certified Postpartum Doula (DONA), certified Birth Doula (DONA), Resolve Through Sharing Perinatal Bereavement Trainer, Perinatal Loss Doula (LDI), and Palliative Care Provider from Harvard Medical School.  Since 2008 she has combined her personal and professional experiences to improve the lives of infants, children, and families. Katherine lives in Asheville, NC with her husband Dave and four children, Elliott 19, Eliza 16, (Helen 14), and Alice 13.   Next week, be sure to tune in to “Part 2: Growing a Healthy Rainbow Baby” to learn more about how the birth of a new baby after perinatal loss impacts the life of the family.      Listen and Learn (Part 1):    Why support is important to families in crisis after the loss of their loved one   How the medical community still finds it hard to come to grips with the loss of a baby   How palliative care is crucial to this type of loss   The rate of loss in the United States    What to do to honor and help make memories after the loss   What steps can be taken to help minimize loss   5 steps to reduce the risk of stillbirth & perinatal loss   The Pregnancy Research Project          Resources & Mentions:    Threads of Love   Star Legacy Foundation    Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Alliance (PLIDA)   Katherine Hyde Hensley Counseling and Consulting        Related Products from InJoy:    A Guide to Grief and Healing After the Loss of your Baby    

Listen as Bonita (Boni) Katz BA, RN, ICCE, ICBD, IAT, CLC talks about the impact that ICEA has had on the field of maternal-child health and her own journey.  Promoting family-centered care and freedom to make decisions based on knowledge of options and alternatives are the key tenants of ICEA. Boni’s own birth helped spark her interest in becoming a certified childbirth educator and doula with ICEA.  Joining ICEA in 1991, she went on to become a nurse and has continued her work as a childbirth educator and doula.  Boni joined the ICEA board 2013 and is currently serving a two-year term as the president through the end of this year.    Listen and Learn:  A short history of childbirth education in the US  ICEA’s journey from teaching parents to training teachers (and later doulas)  The importance of certification  The flexibility that is needed during times like COVID   The challenges of working internationally  Improving infant and maternal mortality    Resources & Mentions:  Visit the ICEA Website  ICEA Virtual Conference bundles  Position Papers, Statements & Core Competencies  Partners  The International Childbirth Initiative (ICI): 12 Steps to Safe and Respectful MotherBaby-Family Maternity Care    Related Products from InJoy:   Understanding Birth Curriculum Pain Management for Childbirth, Two Volumes The Stages of Labor: A Visual Guide

When the “Back to Sleep” campaign to reduce infant deaths started in 1994, the rate of SIDS went from 10,000 to 3,500 per year very quickly.  Judy Bannon, founder of Cribs for Kids, realized that was a great thing but also found that some neighborhoods in her area had not reduced the number of SIDS deaths.  She wanted to help.  Listen in today with our guest Devon George to find out how Cribs for Kids took on the challenge to make sure that families had a safe place for their babies to sleep, along with the education to go with it.  She will also discuss their programs like the National Hospital Certification Program to help lower the numbers of SIDS deaths even more.   Devon George, MSN, RN is Director of Education at Cribs for Kids, where her primary focus is the National Hospital Certification Program. Devon joined Cribs for Kids after working in academic nursing where she oversaw clinical curriculum for ADN and BSN programs.  She also sits on the board of directors of Global Links, serving as the Vice Chair.   Listen and Learn:    Why Back to Sleep transitioned to Safe to Sleep   1,600 partners nationwide provide the Cribs for Kids safe sleep cribettes and educational materials   Hospitals can become nationally certified by making sure all patients go home with education about the ABCs – Alone, on their Back, in a Crib  The importance of having all who care for the baby know about safe sleep - grandparents, childcare providers, babysitters and family    Safe sleep happens at night AND during the day   COVID created opportunities for new ways to get the education and cribettes to families   Everyone can promote Safe to Sleep         Resources & Mentions:   Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep Ambassador program  The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program  Ette Cetera – Support Cribs for Kids when purchasing baby necessities for you or your loved ones Reach out to Devon George     Related Products from InJoy:   Understanding Infant & Child Safety Curriculum  Understanding Your Newborn Curriculum      Understanding Mother & Baby Care Curriculum    InJoy’s 7 Steps to Reduce Risk of SIDS  

Thinking of starting or revamping your Fatherhood class?  Ginny Robinson joins us to share tips and tricks to creating a successful fatherhood class. She offers ideas on formatting, marketing, teaching dads during social distancing & insights into what dads want to know.  Ginny Robinson has been a nurse for over 50 years and spent the last 32 years at her current hospital in Plano TX. She has worked in many different areas of maternal child nursing including lactation and bereavement. One of her main roles right now is community education including childbirth education programs and community outreach for all ages.      Listen and Learn:  The main things on dads’ minds  Team teaching creates more interest  Dads teach the baby about the world  Building confidence and empowering through class  Ways to market classes to keep them full      Resources:  Understanding Fatherhood   Understanding Your Newborn  Brief Prenatal Role-Play Predicts New Fathers’ Parenting Skills     

Listen as Nikia Sankofa, Executive Director, and Amelia Psmythe Seger, Deputy Director, unfold the richness of USBC. They will tell us about when, why, and how USBC was created, and what the organization's goals are for today and for the future to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding in the United States. The strategy and structure of the USBC makes it one of the most dedicated and productive organizations that support those who are supporting families.   Listen and Learn: A short history of how USBC started USBC is a “coalition of coalitions” About the Awake to Woke to Work document to impact equity The organizational change that allowed USBC to grow from 50 to 100 members in less than 1 year COVID-19 Infant and Young Children Feeding Constellation is an emergency response, leveraging capacity through racial equity with 43 member organizations involved About using spaces and graces at the community level to continue to grow in knowledge about equity Ways that you and your organization can get involved – how in-kind support is needed   Resources & Mentions: Visit the USBC Website  COVID-19 Infant and Young Child Feeding Constellation  National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening “Reimagined” USBC Facebook USBC Twitter Interested in your organization joining USBC as a Member? Contact membership@usbreastfeeding.org Want to offer in-kind support? Contact development@usbreastfeeding.org 

Many hospitals have pared their class offerings down to core classes and moved them online. Join us to hear Anne’s story about what those changes have meant for Anne, her staff, and the students.   Anne Wright’s background is in education. She spent 10 years working for Continental Airlines providing leadership development training to over 5,000 leaders worldwide. During that time, Anne developed a desire to bring leadership principles to families during their childbearing years. She began working at Texas Children's Hospital in 2004 as a leadership and organizational development specialist. In her free time, Anne became a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and began teaching childbirth classes.  In 2011, Texas Children's opened the Pavilion for Women, and Anne became the manager of patient education. Over the past six years, Anne’s team has developed standardized curriculum for 18 different classes. She put into place class standards, department policies and procedures, and a structured development program for educators.  Listen and Learn:  How to maintain quality, access, and innovation while changing how education is delivered  What complications had to be overcome in quickly launching virtual formats  Reasons for reducing class offerings to only core classes during the crisis  How virtual maternity tours can be beneficial for some parents now and even in the future  Skills her staff is developing in this time that will be beneficial in the long-term  Resources & Mentions:  Building Bridges: Virtual Solutions for Teaching Parents InJoy's eClass Solutions InJoy’s COVID Resources Listen to another episode we recorded with Anne!  

Learn how an experienced IBCLC navigates to serve breastfeeding moms and babies in the hospital setting during the time of COVID-19.  Beverly Wilhelm is a Registered Nurse of 25 years and an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant of 15 years in Women’s Services (primarily NICU and Mom/Baby). She has worked at hospitals in Atlanta, Dallas, and the Denver metro area. An Atlanta native, she has lived in Denver for 9 years with her husband, two teenage sons, and two dogs. She loves working with new moms, babies, and their families and enjoys the opportunities to educate and make human connections as a nurse.    Listen and Learn:  Changes taking place when working with breastfeeding women  The impact of breastfeeding in supporting moms and babies during the pandemic  Breastfeeding and pumping protocols established to ensure safety of mom and baby  The differences in protocol when a mom has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is a PUI (person under investigation)  Measures to keep the IBCLCs and staff protected during patient interaction  Steps Beverly uses to keep her family and home safe and mentally healthy  Resources & Mentions:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html  https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/breastfeeding-with-coronavirus     Related Products From InJoy:  Understanding Breastfeeding curriculum  Practice to Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding: Managing Common Challenges eCourse  Practice to Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding: Core Concepts eCourse 

Today, we discuss how COVID-19 is impacting labor and delivery units.  Carla shares the challenges and positive aspects of working with families during birth and postpartum. She also talks about how this pandemic is changing her outlook and self care, for the better.   Carla has been in the healthcare field since 2000 and a nurse since 2003. The primary focus of her nursing is Women and Family Services with 17 years as a Labor and Delivery Nurse. She now works as a Charge Nurse at Longs Peak Hospital, which is a community hospital in the UCHealth system in Colorado. She loves her job and taking care of people in her community.  Listen and Learn:  Temporary policy changes to keep everyone safe  How the staff is alerted to changes in the system, including 36 updates so far  The differences in protocol if a mom has COVID-19 or is PUI  How nurses are keeping themselves and their families protected from the virus  How her team is becoming stronger as a result of the crisis   Resources & Mentions:  Care of Pregnant Women with COVID-10 in Labor and Delivery  InJoy Resources for COVID-19    Related Products from InJoy:  Understanding Birth  Pain Management, Vol 1 and 2  Understanding Mother & Baby Care  

In the second episode in our COVID-19 series, we speak with Dawn Dudley, Ph.D. to explore the processes of creating a rapid COVID-19 test in one lab in Wisconsin.  When it became apparent that diagnostic tests for coronavirus were unavailable to most people with symptoms who were not hospitalized, Dawn began working with another scientist in the laboratory to try to develop a method to diagnose this virus using unique materials. Optimizing this new coronavirus test is what Dawn is primarily working on in the laboratory today.  Dawn obtained her Ph.D. in Molecular and Microbiology at Case Western Reserve University where she studied HIV drug resistance. Dawn then moved to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for her post-doc where she continued to study HIV drug resistance in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine under the supervision of Dr. David O'Connor. She continues to work with Dr. O'Connor as a senior scientist in the laboratory. About four years ago, Dawn started working on Zika virus with close collaborators from Brazil and developed the first nonhuman primate animal model to study Zika virus in pregnancy. She continues to work on many Zika-related projects, which has given her many opportunities to speak at international meetings and in labs all over the world.   Listen and Learn:  The next wave of maternal/child health diseases Dawn is researching   How her lab was able to quickly switch to focusing on creating COVID-19 tests  The process of creating a test, including collaboration with other universities  The timeline for implementing the test kit to healthcare facilities and for home use  How an effective test can help bring a lessening to COVID-19    Resources & Mentions:  Why COVID tests like Dawn is helping to create are so important InJoy Resources for COVID-19 

In this episode, we will discuss the mental-health needs of families birthing babies during a time of crisis.  We will explore what unique issues pregnant and new families have now and how a therapist can provide needed support. We speak with Sharon Storton, a Canadian Registered Psychologist, a Couple and Family Therapist, and a Certified Hypnotherapist, specializing in perinatal mental health and women's wellness. Sharon has worked with families in the childbearing period for more than three decades: as a mental health professional and, previously, as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, childbirth educator, and doula. Sharon has applied her passion for women and family wellness to a private psychotherapy practice, to leadership roles both within non-profit organizations and on boards of directors, and as a writer and a speaker.      Listen and Learn:  How can professionals provide mental health services in this time of social distancing?  What types of things are troubling families during this pandemic?  How does this time of uncertainty affect the mother/baby bond?  Is postpartum mood and anxiety disorder going to be more prevalent now?  How can we help families seek mental health help?    Resources & Mentions:  Postpartum Support International  InJoy Resources for COVID-19  Connect with Sharon  jane.app Related Products from InJoy  Understanding Mother & Baby Care Curriculum  Recognizing & Treating Postpartum Depression 

First love is often thought of as special, sweet and innocent.  But sometimes that relationship can turn toxic.  As health professionals, we can make a difference in a young person’s life. In this episode we will discuss how pregnant and parenting teens are affected by abuse from a dating partner.  We will also learn how to build a trusting relationship with teens, even if you only have a short amount of time.  Our guest is Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski who is a sexuality educator and counselor along with being the past president of Lamaze International and a certified childbirth educator.  Her master’s and doctorate are in education.  She has worked with 250,000 teens, including serving over 15,000 teen parents.   Listen and Learn: Rate of teens involved in intimate partner violence Signs of intimate partner abuse How to connect so that young people feel open to share this information Why someone would stay in a bad relationship How to help young people respect and love themselves enough to create good boundaries   Resources & Mentions: Contact Mary Jo at podmj@healthyteens.com HealthyTeens.com How to tell if you’re in an abusive relationship – written by Mary Jo Podgurski loveisrespect.org Related Products from InJoy: Healthy Steps for Teen Parents  Life Skills for Teen Parents  Parenting Basics: Self-Care for Moms Series  Sex Smart for Teens

Having a baby is a special time in parents’ lives. Grandparents remember the good and not so good times of bringing up their own babies.  They remember what worked for them and want to pass that information on to their children. However, best practices change frequently with maternal-child health.  What the grandparents were taught as gospel has very likely been replaced with new evidence-based information.  Learning that new information from a professional is sometimes easier than hearing it from their own children. So brings the birth of grandparenting classes!   Our guest, Andi Quinn has her bachelor’s in nursing and is the Maternal Child Nursing Coordinator in the Birth Care Center at UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they offer 20 different classes for the childbearing year.  Based on her own good experience when she took a Lamaze class with her first baby, she ended up helping to teach the class and grew into replacing the teacher when that teacher moved on.  She has loved teaching for the past 40 some years. She is certified in several Maternal Child programs and heads a staff of talented educators. Her goal in all classes is to educate and empower women and families. She loves watching student bloom and grow their confidence right before her eyes.   Listen and Learn: Why grandparenting classes are more popular now than ever before Why adult children think that grandparenting classes are valuable The various roles modern grandparents are asked to play Curriculum and marketing ideas   Resources & Mentions: Contact Andi at andi.quinn@unitypoint.org Grandparenting Class Evaluation   Related Products from InJoy: Understanding Grandparenting

We spoke with Dr. Kimberly Dever of South Shore Hospital and Amber Weiseth of Ariadne Labs about the Team Birth Project. This collaborative effort changes the standard approach to clinical care and has earned national attention. Their strategies foster communication and empower women and families with the goal of improving the safety and dignity of childbirth.   Kimberly Dever, MD, FACOG, is Vice President of Medical Affairs for South Shore Health and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at South Shore Hospital. After attending Boston University School of Medicine, Dr. Dever began her career in the US Army where she served and cared for women in the military and their family members while training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. As a senior leader at South Shore Hospital, she strives to offer the best care to patients through open communication and strong relationships.    Amber Weiseth DNP, RNC-OB is the Associate Director for the Delivery Decisions Initiative (DDI) at Ariadne Labs, where she oversees the design, measurement, and implementation of the Team Birth Project. Amber has been an obstetric nurse for 15 years, specializing in quality improvement and project implementation. Prior to joining Ariadne Labs, Amber served as Assistant Director for Maternal-Infant Health Initiatives at the Washington State Hospital Association where she led safety and quality work in the state’s birthing hospitals.   Listen and Learn: What the Team Birth Project is working to achieve What is being done to solve for the grey How the Team Birth Project initiative has affected the cesarean rate Patient and clinician experiences with the Team Birth Project What’s next for the project   Resources & Mentions: Ariadne Labs

Today we will explore the transition dads and partners face during pregnancy and postpartum that sometimes leads to paternal perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Dr. Kevin Gruenberg, PsyD, is a psychologist in private practice in Los Angeles who co-developed a home visitation program for fathers and their young children meant to promote paternal engagement and family wellbeing.  Gabrielle Kaufman (MA, LPCC, BC-DMT, NCC, PMH-C) is a licensed professional clinical counselor with over 25 years’ experience providing services to new parents, particularly those suffering from symptoms of postpartum depression.   Listen and Learn: Rate of mood disorders in fathers compared to mothers Changes in hormone levels of the father or partner When Dad’s mood disorders most commonly occur Dads matter! What dads/partners uniquely offer that enhances baby’s development Resources & Mentions: Contact Kevin Gruenberg Contact Gabrielle Kaufman Resources to share with families https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/resources-for-fathers/ https://www.padrecadre.com/ Check out our previous InCast episode with Gabrielle about Maternal PMAD Related Products from InJoy: Dad Difference Recognizing & Treating Postpartum Depression

Parents of multiples face unique challenges. Today we will be speaking with Nancy Bowers about the importance of multiples-focused classes, what’s new in research, and trends surrounding multiple births. Nancy Bowers, BSN, RN, MPH, is a perinatal nurse educator with 40 years in maternal-infant and infertility care. A mother of twins herself, she is a passionate advocate for the unique needs of twins and other multiples. Through her company, Marvelous Multiples, Inc., she has brought specialized prenatal education to thousands of multiple birth families across the US and Canada since 1992. Nancy is the author of The Multiple Pregnancy SourceBook, and the chapter on multiple gestation for AWHONN's Perinatal Textbook. She recently retired from her 9-year-role as the Manager of Continuing Education for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine where she was responsible for the continuing education for 8,000 multidisciplinary members worldwide. She is now working as a health education consultant and medical editor.   Listen and Learn: Trends and research concerning twins and higher order multiples The most important factors that predict length of pregnancy and health of newborns for multiples How classes specific to multiples increase skills and confidence in families with multiples Things to think about when creating structure and timing of multiples classes Ways to educate moms who cannot attend in-person classes   Resources & Mentions: Contact Nancy for more information at marvmult@aol.com   Related Products from InJoy:  Understanding Your Multiples Curriculum

Health systems continue to expand their reach, so it is important to consolidate resources and programs.  Offering cohesive educational resources to patients can be part of the consolidation.  Jessica Sember received her MSN with a specialization of Leadership and Organizational Development.  Jessica's nursing career has been within women's health.  She has had various roles in labor and delivery, childbirth education, and as a lactation consultant.  She is currently the perinatal education coordinator for her health system.  Listen and learn as we discuss coordinated education and some tips for success in standardizing materials, improving marketing for classes and the importance of communication among staff. Listen and Learn: How health systems benefit from offering coordinated education across the organization What challenges need to be faced when setting up a coordinated education program Ways that increase cohesiveness among the education staff How consistent curriculum and material make a difference to patients, staff and providers Jessica can be reached for more information at jnsember@geisinger.edu.   Related Products from InJoy: Understanding Curriculums

Bringing a baby home can be one of the best days of a family’s life, but what happens when they also bring home birth trauma at the same time? While only 9% of women who give birth in the US experience birth PTSD, trauma can affect up to 25% of postpartum women. Today we are joined by Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, a health psychologist, IBCLC, owner of Praeclarus Press, and editor-in-chief of two peer-reviewed journals. She takes time out to talk to us about Psychological Trauma in Birth and how we can help to prevent or mitigate its effects on the mother and family.   Listen and Learn:   What can cause psychological birth trauma and what it looks like What would change if we always considered the impact of how we treat mothers and whether it fosters oxytocin Where parents can turn for help if trauma has occurred How trauma can be treated and minimized with quick response   Resources & Mentions: The National Center for PTSD Birth Interventions Related to Lower Rates of Exclusive Breastfeeding and Increased Risk of Postpartum Depression in a Large Sample by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

This week we are speaking with Laurel Wilson about new findings in the interaction of epigenetics and the human microbiome as it relates to pregnancy and newborns and how it is a significant predictor of health outcomes. Laurel is an international speaker, pregnancy and breastfeeding specialist, consultant, and author, including co-author of two books on pregnancy. She loves to blend recent scientific findings with mind/body/spirit wisdom.  Listen & Learn: What is epigenetics? How does it affect our DNA? What microbiome is and how it relates to epigenetics What healthcare providers and families need to think about when making decisions that can affect epigenetics and the microbiome for moms and babies When the most sensitive period of epigenetic change to the DNA is for the child   Resources & Mentions:  The Human Genome Project    Related Products from InJoy: Understanding Pregnancy Curriculum Understanding Breastfeeding Curriculum Practices to Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding: Core Concepts eCourse