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Anxiety and stress in pregnancy are risk factors for adverse outcomes for mothers, babies and their families. Anxiety in pregnancy is associated with shorter gestation and has adverse implications for foetal neurodevelopment and child outcomes. There are numerous factors associated with stress and anxiety in pregnancy.

Midwives and other healthcare professionals providing care for pregnant women play a key role in identifying and supporting women through stressful pregnancy experiences and in raising awareness of the importance of managing stress and anxiety in pregnancy.

Healthcare professionals providing antenatal care should understand the concept and significance of perinatal stress and anxiety, the implications for the mother and her foetus, how to address it clinically, further investigating effects of clinically significant affective disturbances on maternal and child outcomes, considering a mother's broad socio-economic, cultural, spiritual and environmental context. They should have knowledge of evidence-based tools and strategies that help with stress reduction in pregnancy, working in partnership with women, their families and other professionals involved in their care, for optimal pregnancy outcomes.

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03-02-2025 17:00 03-02-2025 18:15 35 Creating Calm: Effective Strategies for Reducing Stress and Anxiety During Pregnancy Anxiety and stress in pregnancy are risk factors for adverse outcomes for mothers, babies and their families. Anxiety in pregnancy is associated with shorter gestation and has adverse implications for foetal neurodevelopment and child outcomes. There are numerous factors associated with stress and anxiety in pregnancy. Midwives and other healthcare professionals providing care for pregnant women play a key role in identifying and supporting women through stressful pregnancy experiences and in raising awareness of the importance of managing stress and anxiety in pregnancy. Healthcare professionals providing antenatal care should understand the concept and significance of perinatal stress and anxiety, the implications for the mother and her foetus, how to address it clinically, further investigating effects of clinically significant affective disturbances on maternal and child outcomes, considering a mother's broad socio-economic, cultural, spiritual and environmental context. They should have knowledge of evidence-based tools and strategies that help with stress reduction in pregnancy, working in partnership with women, their families and other professionals involved in their care, for optimal pregnancy outcomes. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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Childbirth is a psychoneuroendocrine (PNEI) process that requires major neuromodulations to occur safely. Although this vision is recognized by the World Health Organization, it often fails to be implemented when facing a dystocia in labour, whether dynamic or mechanic. Currently in difficult labours, care is mainly focused on implementing the forces working on the uterus (uterine activity) or opting for an operative/surgical modality of birth. This standard care to dystocia brings poor outcomes in terms of quality of the experience as perceived by the mother/birthing person and family and it impacts the rates of exclusive lactation at 3 and 6 months afterwards, major indicators of the global quality of maternity care in high income countries. A PNEI perspective on labour and birth acknowledges the autonomous nervous system of both the person giving birth and the one being born. PNEI expands the parameters of our clinical observation of the uterus, its mechanic, metabolic and neurovegetative distress, including the association with myometrial lactic acidosis and women’s/labouring persons’ behaviours and stress responses. This lecture will offer an interpretation and practical tools to reverse the distress into a physiological stress, empowering the biological resources of mother/parent and baby on the long term.

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18-02-2025 14:00 18-02-2025 15:00 35 Distress in Labour: A Psychoneuroendocrine Approach Childbirth is a psychoneuroendocrine (PNEI) process that requires major neuromodulations to occur safely. Although this vision is recognized by the World Health Organization, it often fails to be implemented when facing a dystocia in labour, whether dynamic or mechanic. Currently in difficult labours, care is mainly focused on implementing the forces working on the uterus (uterine activity) or opting for an operative/surgical modality of birth. This standard care to dystocia brings poor outcomes in terms of quality of the experience as perceived by the mother/birthing person and family and it impacts the rates of exclusive lactation at 3 and 6 months afterwards, major indicators of the global quality of maternity care in high income countries. A PNEI perspective on labour and birth acknowledges the autonomous nervous system of both the person giving birth and the one being born. PNEI expands the parameters of our clinical observation of the uterus, its mechanic, metabolic and neurovegetative distress, including the association with myometrial lactic acidosis and women’s/labouring persons’ behaviours and stress responses. This lecture will offer an interpretation and practical tools to reverse the distress into a physiological stress, empowering the biological resources of mother/parent and baby on the long term. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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The Ayurvedic system in India recommends a 42-day postpartum care period for mothers. It focuses on rest, sleep, nutrition, and overall well-being to aid the mother's recovery and transition into motherhood. Ayurveda places equal importance on dietary regimens during pregnancy, serving as nourishment and medicine for pregnant women. Its principles are based on supporting the baby in utero and the mother's body, resulting in easier childbirth. Additionally, Ayurveda emphasizes nurturing the new mother postnatally through specific qualities via diet, herbs, baths, and massage. Understanding traditional practices is crucial to providing culturally competent care. Learn more about Ayurvedic practices, the current research, potential concerns, gaps in knowledge and important insights that could enhance global Midwifery care.

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11-02-2025 14:00 11-02-2025 15:00 35 Insights from Traditional Practices: Exploring Ayurvedic Wisdom for Post-Partum Wellbeing The Ayurvedic system in India recommends a 42-day postpartum care period for mothers. It focuses on rest, sleep, nutrition, and overall well-being to aid the mother's recovery and transition into motherhood. Ayurveda places equal importance on dietary regimens during pregnancy, serving as nourishment and medicine for pregnant women. Its principles are based on supporting the baby in utero and the mother's body, resulting in easier childbirth. Additionally, Ayurveda emphasizes nurturing the new mother postnatally through specific qualities via diet, herbs, baths, and massage. Understanding traditional practices is crucial to providing culturally competent care. Learn more about Ayurvedic practices, the current research, potential concerns, gaps in knowledge and important insights that could enhance global Midwifery care. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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Many parents wonder how to fuel their own bodies while lactating. They seek optimal ways to nourish themselves so that they can continue to nourish their little ones. Although babies tend to have most of their needs met via breast milk, there are some considerations for lactating parents that impact their nutritional status and the composition of their breast milk. The purpose of this presentation is to help families and providers understand and bring to awareness those key nutritional components to help parents and their babies fuel their bodies to obtain an optimal nutrition status and assist them in feeling their best.

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18-02-2025 22:00 18-02-2025 23:00 35 Key Nutritional Insights for Lactating Parents Many parents wonder how to fuel their own bodies while lactating. They seek optimal ways to nourish themselves so that they can continue to nourish their little ones. Although babies tend to have most of their needs met via breast milk, there are some considerations for lactating parents that impact their nutritional status and the composition of their breast milk. The purpose of this presentation is to help families and providers understand and bring to awareness those key nutritional components to help parents and their babies fuel their bodies to obtain an optimal nutrition status and assist them in feeling their best. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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Around 1 in 125 (0.8%) births are to a person with an Autism diagnosis on file. It is likely that other pregnant people (up to 3%) are Autistic and undiagnosed. That means if you support pregnant people, you support Autistic pregnant people. Being Autistic is associated with differences in communication and sensory processing that can be intensely disabling in a world not designed for Autistic people. This includes making accessing maternity care more challenging. In this session, I – an Autistic maternity services researcher - will provide clear, evidence-based recommendations for improving your care for Autistic pregnant people and new parents, including some ‘low hanging fruit’ which could be implemented with minimal cost. These will be grounded in the accounts of Autistic parents who have struggled to have their needs met. Recommendations include: existing frameworks which can be adopted to make services more neurodiversity affirming; how to better meet the needs of Autistic people in relation to pain, communication and the sensory environment; providing continuity of carer; and providing a clear referral route from maternity services to Autism diagnosis services. Overall any changes made to services are likely to benefit those who are otherwise marginalised.

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10-02-2025 16:00 10-02-2025 17:00 35 Maternity Care for Autistic Parents: Practical Strategies for Inclusive Support Around 1 in 125 (0.8%) births are to a person with an Autism diagnosis on file. It is likely that other pregnant people (up to 3%) are Autistic and undiagnosed. That means if you support pregnant people, you support Autistic pregnant people. Being Autistic is associated with differences in communication and sensory processing that can be intensely disabling in a world not designed for Autistic people. This includes making accessing maternity care more challenging. In this session, I – an Autistic maternity services researcher - will provide clear, evidence-based recommendations for improving your care for Autistic pregnant people and new parents, including some ‘low hanging fruit’ which could be implemented with minimal cost. These will be grounded in the accounts of Autistic parents who have struggled to have their needs met. Recommendations include: existing frameworks which can be adopted to make services more neurodiversity affirming; how to better meet the needs of Autistic people in relation to pain, communication and the sensory environment; providing continuity of carer; and providing a clear referral route from maternity services to Autism diagnosis services. Overall any changes made to services are likely to benefit those who are otherwise marginalised. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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This presentation explores the multifaceted dynamics of sexual health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It addresses common concerns and misconceptions regarding sexual intimacy as physiological and emotional changes occur. The discussion highlights the importance of communication between partners, the influence of hormonal shifts on libido, and the impact of physical discomfort. Additionally, we will examine the psychological aspects, including body image and emotional connection, that can affect sexual relationships during and after pregnancy. Strategies for maintaining a fulfilling sexual life, including positioning and timing, will be presented alongside expert recommendations for healthcare providers on how to support couples during this transformative time. By fostering open dialogue and understanding, we aim to empower individuals and couples to navigate their sexual health with confidence and satisfaction throughout the journey of parenthood.

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11-02-2025 20:00 11-02-2025 21:00 35 Navigating Intimacy: Enhancing Sexual Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum This presentation explores the multifaceted dynamics of sexual health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It addresses common concerns and misconceptions regarding sexual intimacy as physiological and emotional changes occur. The discussion highlights the importance of communication between partners, the influence of hormonal shifts on libido, and the impact of physical discomfort. Additionally, we will examine the psychological aspects, including body image and emotional connection, that can affect sexual relationships during and after pregnancy. Strategies for maintaining a fulfilling sexual life, including positioning and timing, will be presented alongside expert recommendations for healthcare providers on how to support couples during this transformative time. By fostering open dialogue and understanding, we aim to empower individuals and couples to navigate their sexual health with confidence and satisfaction throughout the journey of parenthood. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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This presentation will explore the broader impact of birth plans on women's maternity experiences, drawing insights from Australia’s largest maternity survey, the Birth Experience Study. It will examine how women navigate the process of developing and executing their birth plans, including their personal responses and the feedback from healthcare providers. Additionally, the presentation will highlight effective strategies for providers to support women in crafting and implementing their birth plans, aiming to enhance the overall birth experience and strengthen the collaborative relationship between women and their care teams.

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24-02-2025 19:00 24-02-2025 20:15 35 New Insights into Birth Plans: Research on Women's Experiences and Provider Engagement This presentation will explore the broader impact of birth plans on women's maternity experiences, drawing insights from Australia’s largest maternity survey, the Birth Experience Study. It will examine how women navigate the process of developing and executing their birth plans, including their personal responses and the feedback from healthcare providers. Additionally, the presentation will highlight effective strategies for providers to support women in crafting and implementing their birth plans, aiming to enhance the overall birth experience and strengthen the collaborative relationship between women and their care teams. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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How can midwives protect their ability to practice with legal security and financial sustainability? This presentation will highlight the legal challenges and vulnerabilities that midwives face in different states and nations, and propose specific solutions for how each midwife can practice with optimal peace and security.

 

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Burnout is a prevalent issue in helping professions, characterized by prolonged stress resulting in emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion. This condition affects not only the well-being of healthcare providers but also impacts the families they serve and the broader industry. Understanding how to identify burnout symptoms and employing strategies for prevention and recovery are essential for maintaining personal and professional health. Join our expert speakers for an insightful discussion on the challenges faced by care providers and discover effective approaches to sustain and rejuvenate your passion for your work while ensuring your own well-being.

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19-02-2025 19:00 19-02-2025 20:00 35 Revitalizing Your Passion: Navigating Burnout in a Helping Profession Burnout is a prevalent issue in helping professions, characterized by prolonged stress resulting in emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion. This condition affects not only the well-being of healthcare providers but also impacts the families they serve and the broader industry. Understanding how to identify burnout symptoms and employing strategies for prevention and recovery are essential for maintaining personal and professional health. Join our expert speakers for an insightful discussion on the challenges faced by care providers and discover effective approaches to sustain and rejuvenate your passion for your work while ensuring your own well-being. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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In this session, the importance of midwives and midwifery will be examined alongside a critical review of the challenges and constraints midwives and the midwifery profession face, around the world. Ways to survive, thrive and transform will be presented offering a practical approach to flourishing in practice across clinical, leadership, academic, research and education. The session will be relevant for all maternity professionals and students, working in all settings.

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11-02-2025 18:00 11-02-2025 19:00 35 Surviving, Thriving and Transforming Through Meaning in Midwifery In this session, the importance of midwives and midwifery will be examined alongside a critical review of the challenges and constraints midwives and the midwifery profession face, around the world. Ways to survive, thrive and transform will be presented offering a practical approach to flourishing in practice across clinical, leadership, academic, research and education. The session will be relevant for all maternity professionals and students, working in all settings. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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Labor pain is described as a heavy, unique and complex experience and is a major cause of stress and fear. Labor pain that is not handled adequately causes discomfort for the mother and creates fear, which can cause tension, panic and stress for the mother and will affect the delivery process. Management of labor pain is needed to reduce pain intensity and shorten the duration of the first stage of the active phase in laboring mothers. The labor dance can be performed to reduce pain intensity and shorten the duration of the first active phase in labor. This presentation will describe how we analyzed the effect of Labor Dance on pain intensity, cortisol hormone levels and duration of the active phase of first stage labor. We will discuss how a Labor Dance intervention affects pain intensity, levels of the hormone cortisol, and duration of labor in the active phase of the first stage of labor.

 

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The perinatal period is quite possibly the most life changing period of a person’s life. It is also a time where much can be ignored or normalised that shouldn't be, and this can have long-lasting impacts. In this presentation we shall discuss the importance of processing the events of the perinatal period, the different options for processing and the art of listening to hear. We will discuss strategies for managing tricky conversations and ways to effectively signpost people to appropriate supports along with looking at common myths that have become normalized perinatal practices and how those myths can cause harm, especially to at risk groups.

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10-02-2025 18:00 10-02-2025 19:00 35 The Power of Reflection: Effective Birth Debriefing for Better Outcomes The perinatal period is quite possibly the most life changing period of a person’s life. It is also a time where much can be ignored or normalised that shouldn't be, and this can have long-lasting impacts. In this presentation we shall discuss the importance of processing the events of the perinatal period, the different options for processing and the art of listening to hear. We will discuss strategies for managing tricky conversations and ways to effectively signpost people to appropriate supports along with looking at common myths that have become normalized perinatal practices and how those myths can cause harm, especially to at risk groups. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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Vitamin D is crucial for the healthy development of children from conception through adolescence. This presentation will delve into the current state of vitamin D deficiency among the first 1000 days of life, from gestation to 2 years, examining the developmental problems that arise from inadequate vitamin D levels in the gestating mother and the baby intake, including premature and ill babies. We will explore the best strategies to achieve and maintain optimal vitamin D levels, covering the sufficiency in breastfeeding, the need for supplementation and the factors that may contribute (geographical, lifestyle, dietary). Current guidelines and recommendations will be discussed, alongside practical approaches for ensuring adequate vitamin D intake during each critical stage of growth. This session aims to equip professionals with the knowledge to support healthy development through optimal vitamin D management during the first 1000 days of life.

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18-02-2025 20:00 18-02-2025 21:00 35 Vitamin D: Ensuring Optimal Levels for Healthy Child Development Vitamin D is crucial for the healthy development of children from conception through adolescence. This presentation will delve into the current state of vitamin D deficiency among the first 1000 days of life, from gestation to 2 years, examining the developmental problems that arise from inadequate vitamin D levels in the gestating mother and the baby intake, including premature and ill babies. We will explore the best strategies to achieve and maintain optimal vitamin D levels, covering the sufficiency in breastfeeding, the need for supplementation and the factors that may contribute (geographical, lifestyle, dietary). Current guidelines and recommendations will be discussed, alongside practical approaches for ensuring adequate vitamin D intake during each critical stage of growth. This session aims to equip professionals with the knowledge to support healthy development through optimal vitamin D management during the first 1000 days of life. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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This presentation will highlight the multidimensional individual, interpersonal, institutional, and community-level structures and existing policies that inadvertently harbor biases and impede care for Black mothers within birthing centers. Empirical data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with Black mothers to acquire a contextual understanding of the experiences, attitudes, and beliefs to reveal how perceptions of racism and discrimination in birthing centers create negative implications for health-seeking behavior, deterring obtaining proper care, and expressed underutilization of health services. The results of this study provide insight into the perceptions of implicit bias, racism, and discrimination within institutional structures and how existing policies, can negatively influence exclusive breastfeeding practices among Black mothers. Additionally, this presentation provides insight and strategies into how to reduce exclusive breastfeeding disparities and assist with developing best practices for the management and support of exclusive breastfeeding that positively influence optimal health outcomes among Black women and their children.

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10-02-2025 20:00 10-02-2025 21:00 35 Voices of Experience: Understanding Black Birthing and Breastfeeding Journeys This presentation will highlight the multidimensional individual, interpersonal, institutional, and community-level structures and existing policies that inadvertently harbor biases and impede care for Black mothers within birthing centers. Empirical data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with Black mothers to acquire a contextual understanding of the experiences, attitudes, and beliefs to reveal how perceptions of racism and discrimination in birthing centers create negative implications for health-seeking behavior, deterring obtaining proper care, and expressed underutilization of health services. The results of this study provide insight into the perceptions of implicit bias, racism, and discrimination within institutional structures and how existing policies, can negatively influence exclusive breastfeeding practices among Black mothers. Additionally, this presentation provides insight and strategies into how to reduce exclusive breastfeeding disparities and assist with developing best practices for the management and support of exclusive breastfeeding that positively influence optimal health outcomes among Black women and their children. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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Ensuring equity in birth care means that every client in every setting receives a careful and intentional assessment for tissue trauma, information about the clinical findings and options for care, is an active participant in the decision whether to suture and has the opportunity for skilled wound closure that restores anatomy, functionality, and beauty to the genital tract. In this session we will briefly explore how to meet these expectations in midwifery practice. Using models, we will discuss the anatomy affected by birth and the prevention and significance of birth lacerations. We’ll talk about how to perform a careful assessment after birth in order to make an accurate diagnosis and formulate a preliminary plan for tissue approximation. We’ll explore ways to share that information with the client so they can be a full participant in shared decision-making when closure of a birth laceration is recommended. Step-by-step demonstration of closure of a second-degree laceration will be demonstrated, followed by non-traditional skin closures.

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18-02-2025 16:00 18-02-2025 18:00 35 Mastering the Assessment and Repair of Birth Lacerations Ensuring equity in birth care means that every client in every setting receives a careful and intentional assessment for tissue trauma, information about the clinical findings and options for care, is an active participant in the decision whether to suture and has the opportunity for skilled wound closure that restores anatomy, functionality, and beauty to the genital tract. In this session we will briefly explore how to meet these expectations in midwifery practice. Using models, we will discuss the anatomy affected by birth and the prevention and significance of birth lacerations. We’ll talk about how to perform a careful assessment after birth in order to make an accurate diagnosis and formulate a preliminary plan for tissue approximation. We’ll explore ways to share that information with the client so they can be a full participant in shared decision-making when closure of a birth laceration is recommended. Step-by-step demonstration of closure of a second-degree laceration will be demonstrated, followed by non-traditional skin closures. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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Malposition of the baby presents in many ways: breech, transverse, occipito posterior (OP), etc. In this presentation OP, deflexion & asynclitism will be the focus. OP presentations present numerous challenges to birthing women and their care providers. Many labours become stalled and end in surgical births when baby in this malpositioned state. When consideration is given to contributing factors influencing baby’s position, creative birth preparation can be implemented. Similarly, when there is an appreciation of the power of flexion of baby’s head and the connection to labour progress, actions can be taken to support flexion.

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11-02-2025 22:00 11-02-2025 23:00 35 Strategies for Fetal Malposition: Recognition & Response Malposition of the baby presents in many ways: breech, transverse, occipito posterior (OP), etc. In this presentation OP, deflexion & asynclitism will be the focus. OP presentations present numerous challenges to birthing women and their care providers. Many labours become stalled and end in surgical births when baby in this malpositioned state. When consideration is given to contributing factors influencing baby’s position, creative birth preparation can be implemented. Similarly, when there is an appreciation of the power of flexion of baby’s head and the connection to labour progress, actions can be taken to support flexion. GOLD Perinatal Online Conference false DD/MM/YYYY

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