Sessions Descriptions

Friday, October 1

6:15 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.
Morning Exercise Session
Positive Postures: Uniting Yoga with Childbirth Education
Ann Israel, MA, RYT, E-RYT, LCCE, FACCE

Examine the components of a yoga practice, including mind/body postures, breath awareness, meditation and relaxation, and relate them to the positive influence they have on pregnancy and birth. Learn to incorporate some yoga into your childbirth classes.

Participants will be able to:

List the four major components of a yofa practice
State three benefits of practicin yoga during pregnancy
Describe how incorporatin one asana into a Childbirth class can help to prepare her for labor and birth.

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions A

A-1 Teaching Techniques for Promoting Safe and Healthy Birth
Barbara Hotelling, BSN, WHNP, CD(DONA), LCCE, FACCE

Parents arrive in our classes with fear and anticipation of a complicated birth. Teaching styles and learning tasks can move parents from being unaware to actively choosing safe and healthy birth.

A-2 Uniting for Normal Birth: Even in the Hospital?!
Lisa Gartin, RN, CD(DONA), CLEC, LCCE

Feel like what you teach doesn't ever get to happen? Frustrated by what you are "allowed" to teach? Can normal birth ever happen in the hospital? Unite and discover how!

Participants will be able to:

Define normal birth and physiological birth
Describe three barriers to normal birth in the hospital setting
Identify at least two areas of their class design that could be modified to promote/support normal birth
Share "tricks of the trade" for dealing with "censorship" of their classes

A-3 Attachment Parenting in a Detached World: Creating Strong Connections from Birth
Lysa Parker, MS, CFLE

Our culture is toxic to children and families. Attachment parenting offers a blueprint for change before birth and beyond. Childbirth educators will learn strategies to help parents start on the right path toward developing strong connections.

Participants will be able to:

Explore the cultural influences and consequences of detached parenting practices to families and society
Compare and contrast parenting strategies that promote attachment versus detachment
Describe key elements of attachment parenting and how attachment parenting promotes secure attachment relationships

A-4 Toxic Matters
Judith Focareta, MEd, RN, LCCE; Michelle Ondeck, MEd, RN, LCCE, FACCE

The fetus is particularly vulnerable to hazardous chemicals found in cord blood, and breastmilk. This session will prepare childbirth educators to inform parents about preventive actions and alternative behaviors to reduce their exposures.

Participants will be able to:

Complete a personal environmental health assessment
Discuss the science supporting environmental health education for childbearing families
List activities for inclusion of environmental health information into childbirth education classes
List resources available for childbirth educators regarding environmental health

A-5 Bringing Baby Home: Creating Healthy Relationships During the Transition to Parenthood
Renay P. Bradley, PhC; Joni Parthemer MEd, ICCE; Emily Nackley, BA; John Gottman, PhD

Presentation will cover topics from the Bringing Baby Home Program, which is a research-based/research-tested program for couples experiencing the transition to parenthood that provides a foundation for building emotionally intelligent and sensitive families.

Participants will be able to:

Understand what couples can expect during the transition to parenthood
Understand the "Sound Relationship House Theory," the role of "Love Maps" and how these apply to couples experiencing the transition to parenthood
Recognize the warning signs of relationship meltdown and how these can be transformed into healthy relationship habits
Understand "Emotion Coaching" and how to encourage parents to use this style of parenting with their infants

A-6 Supporting the Journey, Avoiding the Obstacles: Interactive Strategies for Dynamic VBAC Classes
Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), LCCE

Despite the tightening VBAC climate, many women continue to strive for a vaginal birth after a cesarean. Experience several engaging VBAC class activities designed to promote healing and instill confidence in the VBAC mother and her partner.

Participants will be able to:

Design and implement an effective VBAC curriculum that meets the needs of women planning a vaginal birth after cesarean
Effectively facilitate the sharing of participants' previous birth experiences, recognizing the significance of prior cesarean births on the mother and partner
Conduct a relaxation exercise designed specifically for the VBAC woman and her partner that focuses on the upcoming birth in a positive light
Help class participants to identify the characteristics and components of a successful VBAC strategy and leave with a community based resource list
Conduct a confidence-building exercise that heals prior birth wounds and unifies the class toward a common goal of a successful vaginal birth

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions B

B-1 Research Update for Childbirth Educators
Debby Amis, RN, BSN, CD(DONA), LCCE, FACCE

During the past year, which research studies and publications most impacted childbirth education? Learn what’s new in the literature regarding induction, epidurals, cesarean surgeries and more.

Participants will be able to:

Identify three issues that impact childbirth today
Summarize two recent research studies or publications that impact childbirth education
Describe an interactive activity for reviewing information about interventions in childbirth classes

B-2 Perinatal Mood Disorders—How to Teach Basic Information in Class
Birdie Meyer, MA, RN

Perinatal Mood Disorders (PMADs) affect 1 in 8 women. This presentation will cover an overview of the spectrum of pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety. Participants will take home ideas and tools to integrate this teaching into childbirth classes.

Participants will be able to:

Understand the many faces of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
Teach the myths and misconceptions surrounding PMADs
Describe new teaching techniques and tools related to PMADs

B-3 Pregnancy Following Perinatal Loss: Education and Support for Parents
Joann O’Leary, PhD, MPH, MS, IMH-E®(IV)

Building on the current research and clinical practice, this session will provide intervention strategies for families pregnant after a loss (PAL): 1) intra-conception support for individuals as they consider a new pregnancy, 2) therapeutic educational intervention to facilitate attachment during each stage of pregnancy, 3) content for birthing class, 4) care during labor and birth and 5) postpartum needs. Discussion will focus on ways the tasks of pregnancy change for mothers and fathers, supporting siblings and long-term implications that can occur without prenatal intervention.

Participants will be able to:

Describe how the tasks of pregnancy change following loss for both mothers and fathers
Identify a model of therapeutic educational intervention to facilitate attachment and parenting behaviors during pregnancy to the baby born after a loss, both on an individual basis and in a group setting
Identify content for a pregnancy after loss birthing class
Discuss postpartum issues for families and learn supportive techniques for breastfeeding

B-4 Becoming Baby-Friendly: Strategies Creating a Culture that Promotes Successful Breastfeeding
Eileen DiFrisco, MA, RN, IBCLC, LCCE
Karen Goodman, MA, RN, IBCLC, LCCE

A practical approach to support the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, including strategies corresponding to each of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, while overcoming obstacles within a hospital environment.

Participants will be able to:

Identify effective strategies to promote successful breastfeeding in a hospital environment while striving to become Baby-Friendly
Develop a breastfeeding education plan for discussions during prenatal visits and presentations during childbirth classes
Describe obstacles and challenges experienced during the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative in a large academic medical center

B-5 Marketing to a New Generation of Parents: Success as a Childbirth Business Owner
Stefanie Antunes, CD(DONA), CHBE, LCCE

Running any business can be challenging. Learn how to become a marketing guru and uncover what it takes to attract this new generation of parents, how to market your business in low-cost ways, and how to become a successful business owner.

Participants will be able to:

Assess what areas of their business they need to adjust for the success they desire
List five new ways to market their business in a cost effective way
Discuss new business trends affecting their work and how they can incorporate into their daily activities

B-6 Balloons, Balls, Beads, Bags, Blocks: Creating Fun and Inexpensive Visual Aids
Teri Shilling, MS, CD(DONA), IBCLC, LCCE, FACCE

Looking for ways to add energy and fun to your childbirth program without spending lots of money? You will leave with at least a half dozen innovative ways to reinforce your key points by using balloons, balls, beads, bags and blocks.

Participants will be able to:

Discuss characteristics of effective visual aids that increase retention
Create and utilize at least six visual aids
Develop a plan to incorporate hands-on, low-cost visual aids

Saturday, October 2

6:15 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.
Morning Exercise Session
Let that Belly Dance!
Dawn Kersula, MA, RN, IBCLC, LCCE, FACCE

Belly dance offers unique gifts to pregnant and postpartum women: it enhances strength, positive body image, and confidence as it reinforces the fun of movement and the camaraderie of women. Take time to play and dance as we enjoy this most ancient and feminine of activities.

Participants will be able to:

List three safety rules for exercise during pregnancy
Demonstrate three classes of movements used in belly dance
Discuss the efficacy of belly dance movements for back and core muscle strength

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions C

C-1 Childbirth and Breastfeeding Education for the African-American Mother
Ngozi Tibbs, LLLL, CPD, CLC

At-risk and vulnerable minority populations have unique needs in relation to childbirth and breastfeeding education. My presentation will discuss the history of slavery and its affect on the African American family, as well as common misperceptions regarding childbirth and breastfeeding. The role of the health care provider in childbirth education and infant feeding choice will also be discussed.

Participants will be able to:

Recognize misperceptions and stereotypes that are common regarding African American mothers and how that affects how we teach
Discuss the current health status of African American mothers and how the doula and other health care professionals can encourage healthy choices
Recognize how breastfeeding can be an empowering gift to the African American mother and infant

C-2 Courageous Childbirth—From “I think I can...” to “Yes, I can!”
Patricia Predmore, BSN, ICCE, CD(DONA), CLC, LCCE, FACCE

This interactive session explores current health behavior theory and teaching methods to reduce fear and enhance birthing confidence and self-efficacy. The participant will experience a variety of actual childbirth class confidence-building and labor-coping activities and evaluate her current curriculum for opportunities to spiral in elements which inspire birthing confidence.

Participants will be able to:

Explore (discuss) life experiences and educational practices which undermine a woman’s confidence in the birth process
Experience class activities which help an expectant mother and her partner develop confidence in coping with labor and birth
Select one activity for each class that can enhance confidence and reduce fear

C-3 Make ‘em Laugh—How to Add Humor to Your Teaching
Barbara Buckner Suarez, ICCE, LCCE

Discover how adding humor to your teaching encourages your students to learn while they're laughing. See the difference in what your students learn—and how they evaluate your instruction.

Participants will be able to:

List the benefits of using humor in their teaching
Identify the characteristics of humor that work best in the classroom setting
Compare appropriate and inappropriate forms of humor and ways to use humor that are not offensive
Identify those areas in their teaching that could be enhanced by adding some humor

C-4 Reducing the Cesarean Section Rate— Why Should We Care and What Can We Do?
Terrie Watkins, MSN, CNM, LCCE, FACCE

This session is designed to increase the perinatal provider's awareness of the long-term consequences of cesarean intervention and provide strategies for reducing the incidence of surgical birth.

Participants will be able to:

Describe the incidence of cesarean section surgeries in the United States and contrast that with stated Healthy People objectives
State two long-term consequences of cesarean section to the mother and two impacts on the offspring
Define three recommended strategies for reducing the incidence of cesarean section

C-5 Safe or Selfish? Attitudes Toward Home Birth in the United States
Rixa Freeze, PhD

Is home birth the ultimate in responsibility or the ultimate irresponsibility? This session makes sense of wildly different attitudes towards giving birth at home.

Participants will be able to:

List official policies on home birth from major American medical, midwifery, nursing, public health, consumer advocacy, childbirth education and doula organizations
Identify the reasons for wide variances in home birth policies and attitudes
Explain various scenarios for the future of home birth and articulate which are more or less likely to occur

C-6 Fear—Conquering the Monster in the Room
Patty Brennan BA, CD(DONA), PCD(DONA)

Our culture of fear is reaping havoc on birthing mothers and babies. We will identify classroom and counseling strategies for overcoming fear with courage. Can we become agents for healing?

Participants will be able to:

Describe the cultural context that is giving rise to mounting fears surrounding labor and birth
Identify the short- and long-term negative effects of fear on the mother-baby dyad
Explain practical fear-busting strategies and tools to teach expectant couples
List risk factors and behaviors of expectant mothers who may benefit from a referral for counseling
Identify one action to change the cultural context of fear upon returning home after the conference

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions D

D-1 Research Papers
From Childbirth Educator to Doula and Back Again: Trends in the History of Birth Advocacy and Education
Christine Morton, PhD; Clarissa Hu, PhD

This presentation will briefly review the interconnected history of childbirth educators and the emerging doula role. It will then examine the growing influence on childbirth education curriculum and content by comparative analysis of childbirth classes taught by educators who actively provide labor support and by educators who have little or no recent birth experience.

The Lived Experience of Lactation Following Bariatric Surgery
Susan Welke, RN-MNN, LCCE
The purpose of this study was to understand the lactation experience of the individual who has undergone bariatric surgery for the treatment of obesity. From analysis of the data, five themes emerged: Nutritional Issues, emotional rollercoaster, lacking specialty care, patient as "expert" and seeking support. These themes are supported by the literature and will be explained during the presentation.

The Experience of Home Birth: Preparing for Birth
Judith Lothian, RN, PhD, LCCE, FACCE

Problem: Although the safety of planned home birth for healthy women is well established only 1% of U.S. women choose a planned home birth. There is no research that describes the experience of home birth in the United States. There is no research that describes the experience of preparing for birth for women planning home births. The purpose of this research presentation is to describe the experience of preparing for birth for women planning home births. These findings are part of a larger study of the experience of home birth for women and their midwives.

D-2 Choose Your Words: How Words Impact Childbirth and Parenting Decisions
Karen Prior, RYT, CD(DONA), ICPFE, LCCE

This session explores communication skills childbirth professionals can use to empower women to make their own choices rather than influencing a woman to make a choice she may not believe in.

Participants will be able to:

List the three components of communication
Discuss the consequences of sharing personal opinions and personal choices regarding birth and parenting
List three words that are barriers to communication
Discuss how to take the emphasis off oneself when a woman asks, "What did you do?"
Discuss how unsolicited advice creates division

D-3 The Alchemy of Supporting Fathers Throughout the Primary Time
Patrick Houser, BBA

Today's fathers are at birth, and in the family, in a whole new way. How we welcome and support them is crucial for mothers, children and the health and longevity of the family.

Participants will be able to:

Acquire skills for welcoming fathers into pregnancy and birth and have increased confidence in working with them
Help fathers manage their expectations and their role in a way that contributes most effectively to everyone’s needs—parents and professionals
Facilitate optimal conditions for families to bond

D-4 How to Increase Focus and Reduce Pain During Labor: Breath Intervention Strategies
Rose St. John, E-RYT, T-500

By breathing diaphragmatically and using a few simple breath and focusing skills, the laboring woman and her attendants have the power to significantly reduce tension, anxiety, and pain.

Participants will be able to:

Describe why and how the skilled use of breath increases focus and decreases pain during labor
Detect the difference between chest, belly (abdominal) and diaphragmatic breathing, and define why diaphragmatic breathing is the most efficient and effective way for the body to breathe
Demonstrate and apply intervention techniques that assist the laboring woman to re-establish rhythmic breath, thus increasing focus and reducing pain

D-5 Safer Birth Practices—A Multi-professional Approach and the More OB Experience
Karen Bailey, MD, FRC, SC, FACOG; Liz DeMaere, RN, BN, LCCE;
Sharon Dalrymple, RN, BN, MEd, LCCE, FACCE

What?!? NO gap between what you teach in childbirth education and what actually happens on the birthing unit? Find out how MoreOB parallels the Lamaze healthy birth practices in the clinical setting.

Participants will be able to:

Review the current gaps between childbirth education curriculum and clinical practice
Describe at least three principles of the MoreOB program
Describe how MoreOB closed the gap between childbirth education and clinical practice in a hospital setting
Analyze three components of the birthing unit example that led to their success in changing clinical practice
Design an action plan that focuses on one area in their work setting where they could bridge the gap between childbirth education and clinical practice

D-6 National Quality Measures of Maternity Care: The VBAC Story
Debra Bingham, RN, DrPH, LCCE

Currently it is estimated to take approximately 17 years for health care research to be translated into action. Front-line maternity leaders with Quality Improvement (QI) knowledge and skills have been shown to be effective leaders for more rapidly translating research findings into action. Lamaze International recognized the need to build front-line maternity QI leadership capacity in order to facilitate more rapid diffusion of the six evidence-based key practices for safe and healthy births.

The Lamaze International Institute for Safe and Healthy Birth successfully launched the first front-line maternity nurse leaders’ development and hospital change project in the Fall of 2008 in Louisville, Kentucky, US and Fall of 2009 in Orlando, Florida, US. Supporting the development of front-line leaders’ QI capacity is a major strategy that will increase the rapidity with which research findings are translated into action. Front-line leaders are willing to participate in leadership sessions about implementing normal birth care practices.

Participants will be able to:

Discuss the Lamaze six Healthy Birth Practices for safe and healthy births
Describe the Lamaze International Hospital Change project
Discuss how the Hospital Change project supports hospital leaders' efforts to meet three of the five Joint Commission new perinatal core measures

Sunday, October 3

6:30 a.m. – 7:15 a.m.
Morning Exercise Session
The Yoga Birth Method—How Yoga Can Be Used as a Labor Technique to Achieve Natural and Enlightened Childbirth Experience
Dorothy Guerra, RYT, CAPPA

The yoga birth method is simple but powerful program that focuses on teaching women an eight-step path to an enlightened childbirth experience. Using the practice and philosophy of yoga, it will cover the information women need to understand the first stage of labor and how the early, active transition phase affects them physically and mentally. This session will educate childbirth professionals on how to use the system and provide a holistic option for their clients.

Participants will be able to:

Explain the emotional and physical effects of the first stage of labor and how setting a proper focus objective and embracing a calm state through the first stage of labor empowers her to choose a normal birth
Demonstrate the yoga techniques for early labor; using breath and posture sequence to progress dilation and effacement; sufficient progression reduces chances of induction
Demonstrate the yoga tools in active labor that help women cope with increasing contraction pain enabling them to manage without medication
Teach the method effectively to women in childbirth education classes for use in their doula/midwife services

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions E
E-1 To See Our Breasts as Others See Them: Historical, Sociocultural, Political and Biomedical Views
Wendy Budin, RN-BC, PhD, LCCE, FACCE

Through the use of selected works of art and photography, participants will explore how the female breast has been perceived from ancient days to the present. Discussion will be organized according to the following themes: (a) The Sacred Breast: Goddesses, Biblical Women, Saints, and images of the Madonna; (b) The Sexual Breast (c) The Exploited Breast (d) The Supported Breast: Trends in Breast Fashion; and (e) The Medical Breast: Life-Giver and Life-Destroyer.
Participants will be able to:

Identify factors that influence one’s perception of breasts
Describe how society, culture, political and biomedical views influence perceptions of breasts over time
Critically examine a culturally-constructed obsession with breasts that is deeply interwoven with beauty standards, breastfeeding practices and sexuality
Discuss how one’s perception of breasts could have implications for childbirth educators

E-2 Mistakes Childbirth Educators Make on the Internet
Robin Elise Weiss, BA, CD(DONA), ICCE-CPE, CLC, LCCE, FACCE

Childbirth educators have a great opportunity to market and learn on the Web, but many shy away or make the wrong moves. Here's how to get the most out of your Internet connection!

Participants will be able to:

Understand how certain Internet practices can harm a childbirth business
Explore the idea that more is not always better when it comes to technology
Select one Internet/social media technique to incorporate into classes

E-3 Teaching Without Lecturing: How Small-group Dialog Fosters Change
Carrie Kenner, BA, CBE, CD(DONA)

Facilitate your students’ preparation for birth by combining a solution-focused approach with dialog-based small group classes. Learn how to let go of your agenda and listen to what your students have to say.

Participants will be able to:

Define the difference between solution-focused vs. problem-focused approaches to teaching
Describe how to identify students' current skills and goals using small-group dialog
Develop questions that facilitate their students' self-exploration
Lead a dialog that encourages sharing and learning from participants
Identify the skills that students need to develop to achieve their goals

E-4 Teaching Labor Dystocia: From Start (Induction) to Finish (Cesarean Section)
Liz Marshall, MPH, ICCE

Failure to progress is the most common reason for cesarean section in first-time mothers. Yet many expectant parents see labor progress as inevitable and unaffected by their own choices and decisions. Chidbirth educators can prevent labor dystocia by teaching normal labor concurrently with medical interventions with a spiraling class curriculum.

Participants will be able to:

Describe the causes of labor dystocia and the ways in which the laboring woman and her medical professionals may respond to labor dystocia
Identify the advantages and disadvantages of teaching medical interventions as its own separate section in the class curriculum
Modify class curriculum to include spiraling class content about medical interventions, particularly induction and augmentation of labor
Select teaching strategies that enhance confidence in normal birth
Advocate for the six care practices that promote normal birth

E-5 The Transformative Language of Birth
Kerry Tuschhoff, HCHI, CHt, CI

Discover the powerful and transformative impact that language can have on the birthing process. Educators, doulas and care-providers will learn how to positively affect outcomes through the tools of linguistics.

Participants will be able to:

Learn why and how simple but specific modifications in wording when working with expectant and birthing women can impact prenatal health, birth outcomes and women's satisfaction with their personal childbirth experiences
Understand the impact that both positive and negative language can have on pregnancy and childbirth, through commentary by women who experienced them, and through interviews with linguistics professionals who explain the reasons for the difference in outcomes experienced by these women
Participate and enjoy a brief relaxation session that will provide a deeper personal understanding of linguistic effects
Build on their understanding of linguistic processing and create skills that participants can use when communicating with women throughout the childbearing period
Learn the skills to reframe commonly used language to positively impact communications with client/patients

E-6 The Perinatal Care System in the 21st Century: Induction, Cesarean Birth and Late Preterm Birth
Mary Lou Moore, PhD, RN, FAAN
Hosted by March of Dimes

Until recently, limited attention has been given to the complications and costs of late preterm and early term birth. However, births during these late weeks of pregnancy result in higher complications and costs than births at 39-40 weeks of gestation.

Participants will be able to:

Define late preterm birth, early term birth, elective induction/cesarean and the relationship between these terms.
Identify three potential complications of birth at 34-38 completed weeks in comparison with birth at 39-40 completed weeks.
Provide examples of successful strategies to reduce elective inductions/cesareans.
Discuss the role of childbirth educators in encouraging birth at 39-40 weeks gestation