2026 Speakers & Topics
Abigail Corbin is the Clinical Manager of the Family Newborn Care Unit at IWK Health in Halifax, Nova Scotia. With a background as a registered midwife and healthcare leader, Abigail brings a deep commitment to collaborative, patient-centered care. Prior to joining IWK, she served as Patient Care Manager at Oak Valley Health, where she led Canada’s first Alongside Midwifery Unit and oversaw both Adult and Paediatric Diabetes Programs.
Abigail is also an Instructor in the undergraduate and graduate Midwifery programs at McMaster University and a Adjunct Scientist at the McMaster Midwifery Research Centre. Her research focuses on midwifery leadership, exploring the roles, barriers, and enablers that shape the profession’s future.
Known for her strategic thinking and passion for innovation, Abigail has successfully developed and expanded programs that improve access to care, support interprofessional collaboration, and respond to community needs. She is deeply invested in mentoring emerging leaders and building strong, inclusive teams that reflect the values of equity and excellence in healthcare.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a growing global concern, with rising prevalence and significant implications for both birthing parents and their children. This presentation explores the transition from diagnosis to long-term wellness, emphasizing the critical yet often overlooked postpartum period. We will define GDM, examine its global rise, and highlight the risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) after a GDM diagnosis. The lifelong health impacts on both parent and child will be discussed, alongside systemic barriers—such as gender bias—that contribute to inadequate postpartum follow-up. Central to this conversation is the role of midwives in bridging these gaps, offering holistic, continuous care that empowers patients beyond childbirth. Evidence-based strategies including breastfeeding, lifestyle modifications, and emerging pharmacological options like semaglutides will be reviewed. Finally, we will explore future models of care that prioritize equity, continuity, and prevention, positioning midwifery as a cornerstone in the fight against chronic disease.
Awube Menlah is a nursing and midwifery educator with several years of clinical experience in Nurse-Anaesthesia in urban and rural Ghana, West Africa. Her journey into the nursing profession began about 20 years ago when she graduated with a Diploma certificate in General Nursing. With a passion to manage pain, especially during and after surgery, it motivated her to enrol at the 37 Military School of Anaesthesia, in 2007 to pursue an Advanced Diploma in the Nurse-Anaesthesia program.
With a BSc Nursing and Master of Nursing from the UCC, Ghana, Ms. Awube has the desire to assist people in pain feel better so that they cope better with their circumstances. Currently, she is a PhD student at the Charles Darwin University, Australia and hopes to support women deal effectively with low back pain during labour in Ghana. As a lecturer and the former coordinator of the midwifery programme in the premier private University in Ghana, Valley View University, she anticipates influencing students to improve healthcare delivery in Ghana using available resources. Ms. Awube Menlah is also a fellow of the Ghana College of Nursing and Midwifery.
Around 30% of women in labour experience low back pain, a common challenge during childbirth. Sterile water injections (SWI) have proven effective in managing this pain, as shown in existing studies. Learn more about the evidence available to support sterile water injections as a simple and effective method for managing low-back pain during labour, how to implement them in the clinical setting in a culturally sensitive way and the potential benefits of this method around the globe due to its simplicity and effectiveness.
Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, is a Maternal Health Specialist, Child Feeding Expert, and Food & Body Image Coach for Mothers. Crystal is passionate about helping mommas build a peaceful relationship with food & their bodies so they can confidently nourish themselves & their kids and bring joy back to eating.
Crystal is committed to providing holistic, compassionate, and evidence-based nutrition care to mothers and families worldwide through her online blog and virtual nutrition coaching practice. Find more motherhood and meal time inspiration at www.crystalkarges.com
The perinatal period is a time of profound physical, emotional, and social change. Yet, it is also a vulnerable window for the emergence, exacerbation, or relapse of eating disorders—conditions often underrecognized in maternal care settings. This presentation will equip midwives and perinatal providers with essential knowledge to better identify, support, and advocate for individuals navigating eating disorders during pregnancy and postpartum.
Drawing on current research and clinical experience, this session will explore the unique presentations of eating disorders in the perinatal period, the intersection between body image changes, nutritional needs, and mental health, and the critical role of compassionate, trauma-informed care. Participants will leave with practical strategies for screening, sensitive communication, referral pathways, and ongoing support to optimize outcomes for both parent and infant.
With eating disorders posing significant risks to maternal and infant health—including poor prenatal weight gain, birth complications, postpartum depression, and impaired bonding—it is imperative that midwives feel confident and competent in addressing this hidden crisis. Together, we can foster a perinatal care model where nourishment and nurture go hand in hand.
Karen H. Strange is a certified professional midwife and nationally recognized instructor of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). Since 1991, she has trained over 17,000 birth professionals in both hospital and out-of-hospital settings. Known for her dynamic, captivating teaching style and trauma-informed approach, Karen brings a rare blend of clinical skill, deep listening, and heart-centered presence to her instruction.
Karen’s work is distinguished by her integration of newborn physiology, the baby’s experience of birth, and the repair needed after stressful events. Her teachings go far beyond the algorithm—providing practical tools that help providers stay present, think clearly under pressure, and connect with the newborn in meaningful ways. Many midwives have shared that during actual resuscitations, it was “Karen’s voice” they heard in their heads—guiding them with clarity and reassurance.
A former Clinical Director at Maternidad La Luz, Karen also served on the Texas Department of Health Midwifery Board for over six years. She continues to teach and speak internationally, supporting midwives, doulas, nurses, and physicians who want to provide respectful, baby-centered care from the very beginning.
What’s truly essential when a newborn needs resuscitation? In this timely session, we’ll explore the most current updates from the newly released 9th edition of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) guidelines, with a focus on what birth professionals need to know now. One of the most significant changes is the expanded role of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA)—a device whose accessibility and effectiveness may shift how resuscitation is approached in out-of-hospital settings. But beyond the tools and techniques, we’ll return to a central question: How do we act precisely, do only what’s needed, and avoid doing harm?
With an emphasis on prioritization and presence, this session offers both practical updates and a framework for resuscitating newborns in a way that is efficient, effective, and as non-traumatic as possible. Whether you're already teaching NRP or attending births, you'll come away with deeper clarity about what matters most—regardless of setting, method, or equipment.
Dr Kate Levick, RN, is a Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Newcastle, Australia. A registered nurse for over 15 years, Kate has a clinical background in cardiology, neurology, and critical care. For the past decade, her research has focused on the lived experience of pregnancy in women with pre-existing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
Her PhD research led to the first systematic review on POTS and pregnancy and contributed to the development of the most comprehensive clinical guidelines currently available. It remains the only known study to center the voices of women with POTS, offering vital insights into how this condition affects pregnancy and maternity care.
Kate is passionate about improving care for women with complex health needs and ensuring their experiences inform clinical practice. She has presented her work nationally and internationally and is committed to supporting midwives with evidence-based, woman-centered approaches to care.
At this conference, Kate will present findings from her PhD research, focusing on the management of POTS during pregnancy. She will share practical, evidence-informed strategies to support midwives in delivering safe, confident, and compassionate care to women navigating this often misunderstood condition.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a complex autonomic disorder that disproportionately affects women of childbearing age. Although it is relatively common, awareness of POTS within maternity care remains limited. Clinical guidelines are available but are often underutilised and do not fully address the holistic needs of women with POTS. This can result in inconsistent care and, at times, negative birth experiences.
This presentation provides midwives with an introduction to the pathophysiology and general management of POTS, focusing on its relevance during pregnancy. It draws on qualitative research involving women who had a pre-existing POTS diagnosis before giving birth. The session examines how midwifery care influences both clinical outcomes and personal experiences. Key themes include the importance of choice and agency, the experience of shifting identities, and the role of hope in care.
The presentation also outlines clinical strategies such as recognising symptoms, adapting care plans, and supporting women in creating safe and empowering environments. Women who received compassionate and collaborative care reported more positive and satisfying experiences.
By integrating clinical education with lived experience, this presentation highlights the essential role midwives play in supporting women with POTS. Informed, respectful, and hopeful care can contribute to a safe and empowering pregnancy and birth experience.
Loredana Zordan is an independent midwife and freelance midwifery teacher
She completed a BsC in Midwifery and a Masters Degree at King's College and City University of London and she is a certified acupuncturist specialized in obstetric acupuncture.
She is teaching nationally and internationally, workshops for midwives on the use of acupressure for pregnancy and birth. Since introducing the workshop in Italy and in England “Acupressure for pregnancy and birth” many hospitals are introducing acupressure for labour preparation, induction of labour and for pain relief.
Loredana is using acupressure whithin her clinical practice facilitating home birth and supporting women for labour preparation and induction of labour.
Loredana has just published a book called Acupressure and Moxibustion for Childbirth on Amazon.
Moxibustion is an ancient therapy widely used in Asia, especially in China and Japan. It involves burning dried Artemisia vulgaris (moxa) to apply heat to specific acupuncture points. The warmth penetrates the meridians, stimulates Qi and blood circulation, and helps to eliminate cold and dampness.
Moxibustion can be used to support breech baby turning, treat anaemia, and promote postnatal recovery. For breech presentation, a moxa stick is used to warm acupuncture point Bladder 67. Studies suggest that this method is safe and can effectively reduce the number of breech births and, as a result, elective caesarean sections. Offering moxibustion more frequently in breech cases could help avoid unnecessary caesareans, lowering risks for both mother and baby.
Moxibustion is also beneficial in treating anaemia during pregnancy. Anaemia can make labour more difficult, with reduced blood levels affecting cervical dilation and making contractions more painful. It also increases the risk of postnatal depression, as the body lacks the energy and resilience needed for recovery. By supporting blood production, moxibustion helps improve birth outcomes, reduce the need for interventions, and enhance emotional wellbeing. Postnatal moxibustion further aids in replenishing Qi and blood, reducing fatigue, and helping to restore physical and emotional balance. This contributes to a smoother postpartum recovery.
Moxibustion is a simple, non-invasive technique that can be used as self-care. It may also be applied by a partner or support person, offering flexibility and personal involvement in the healing process.
Miranda is a Neonatal Nurse, Midwife and Lactation Consultant. Originally from the UK and now living in Melbourne, Australia, Miranda has been supporting families with newborns for 30 years. Miranda's PhD looked at how breastfeeding problems impact on women's transition to motherhood and what we can do to reduce poor breastfeeding outcomes. Her clinical work focusses on helping families, and the clinical staff looking after them, understand babies' feeding behaviours and how to work collaboratively to make infant feeding developmentally supportive.
The framework of early parenting support has changed over the last ten years to focus more on building responsive relationships and less on managing problems. Fostering connection and understanding infant needs and behaviours is the foundation of infant mental health and parental wellbeing, which then grows healthy, happy families. In the past parents were instructed on how to establish routines and 'train' infants, now trauma informed practice helps parents to understand their baby as a unique person with unique needs.
In this presentation I will describe how we can support responsive infant feeding relationships right from birth. Using well established assessment tools to help parents understand their new babies, and evidence-based approaches, I will describe how birthing support practitioners can harness the chaos and overwhelm of new parenthood to orientate families to their baby as a person.
Fundamental to my approach is the magic Gen Z catchphrase ‘Let them Cook’. A newborn, skin to skin, is indeed a little chef in the kitchen and each vocalization, each wriggle, each nuzzle, is a connection building, intentional, and meaningful behaviour. When we let babies cook, we can support more than just how much milk they make.
Dr. Pettersson completed her training in Pediatrics and Neonatology at the department of Pediatrics in Örebro University Hospital in Sweden, and is currently Section head of the Neonatology department. In 2021 Dr Pettersson defended her doctoral thesis with the title "Routine Procedures in the Care of the Full-Term Newborn" at Örebro University.
She combines clinical work in the Neonatology department with research focused on neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, home phototherapy and pain in newborns.
In 2025 she has been part of updating Swedish national guidelines on treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
Neonatal jaundice/hyperbilirubinemia is common in newborns, and it is also common for otherwise healthy newborns to receive phototherapy to treat the condition. Traditionally phototherapy is performed in a hospital setting, however during the last decades new fiberoptic equipment has made it possible to perform phototherapy at home instead. Some hospitals have implemented home phototherapy but, in most hospitals, newborns still have to be admitted to hospital to receive treatment.
Through recent studies it has been shown that home phototherapy is feasible and safe, that it improves bonding and lessens parental stress, that it is cost effective and that parents feel secure to perform the treatment at home.
Data from studies will be presented during the presentation as well as clinical experience from implementing home treatment successfully at hospitals in Sweden.
Nell Tharpe, MS, CNM, CRNFA, FACNM is a midwifery educator, author, and innovator. Nell is committed to reproductive justice, health equity, and optimizing perinatal health through excellence in midwifery practice.
Nell has been involved in birth work since 1977. She became a Certified Nurse-Midwife in 1986 and practiced full scope midwifery for over two decades. She has a dual certification as a Certified RN First Assistant, (CRNFA) and honed her suturing skills in the operating room, in OB/GYN and General surgery. Nell has been teaching suturing and perineal repair though in-person and virtual workshops since 1996.
Nell’s passions are bridging the gaps between clinical practice and emerging evidence, and developing systems and educational programs to improve clinical care. Nell is the original author of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Midwifery and Women’s Health. Her current project is establishment of clinical competencies and tools to guide the teaching, learning, and assessment of the essential skills for suturing and repair of birth-related tissue trauma.
In this session, learners will gain an understanding of how to use clinical competencies to guide development and refinement of the essential midwifery skills for suturing, wound assessment, and wound closure. Competencies provide a step-by-step guide for learning and provide a framework for skill refinement over time. For learners, competencies can be used to learn skills, assess progress, and formulate and update a personalized learning plan. For educators and preceptors, competencies provide an objective guide for teaching and evaluating learner progress.
Practicing birth equity means that midwives in every birth setting must ensure optimal wound closure and healing is available to each birthing person. In this presentation we’ll explore how competency-based techniques and practices can restore anatomy to its full function and beauty while building skill and confidence in the clinician. The focus of the workshop is on utilizing clinical competencies for suturing, assessment, and repair as tools for acquiring the complex skills of assessment and repair of birth-related lacerations.
Nicole Morales is a homebirth midwife with a midwifery practice in San Diego, California. After the breech birth of her third baby in 2005, she began a journey to understand more about breech birth alongside advocating for families who were breech in the third trimester. Nicole has taught breech birth at Nizhoni institute of Midwifery, has been in a mentorship with Gail Tully, and continues her work by teaching Breech Basics with her current project called ReStory Birthwork. She is co-author of The Breech Release, Restorative Midwifery, and The Breech Birth Quick Guide, 2nd Edition. You can find more information about her and her work at ReStoryBirthwork.com.
Fear of Shoulder dystocia is one of the leading causes of cesarean birth. From big babies to long pushing phases, or even worries about post dates, fear can overshadow learning the practicalities for solving this emergent complication. In this presentation, Nicole Morales addresses normal rotations of the fetal shoulders while highlighting the places in the pelvis that the shoulders are most likely to get caught. We will review timing for action and introduce skills, resources, and maneuvers, including Gail Tully's FlipFLOP that could save a baby.
Rebecca Moore, MbChb, BSC, MRCPsych
Rebecca Moore is a consultant perinatal psychiatrist working in the UK. She has been working in this field for over twenty years. Her passion is around trauma informed care and compassionate care which led her to co found Make Birth Better in 2018. Make Birth Better is an international collaborative of parents and professionals working to reduce trauma for patients and staff in maternity systems. Rebecca is also a mum, training to be a yoga teacher and a medical cannabis prescriber.
Ibukun (Ibbie) Afolabi is an Integrative Pelvic and Perinatal Physiotherapist with a passion for all things childbirth. She works with clients prenatally to optimize function, treat pelvic health concerns, and prepare the mind-body for birth. Following childbirth, she helps women to feel at home in their bodies once again. Her approach to the body is foundationally trauma-informed, biopsychosocial, deeply holistic, and salutogenic.
Ibukun Afolabi, PT, MScPT, PCES, CCE, CD, SpBAP
Ibukun's clinical interests include the contribution of pelvic health states to birth outcomes, pain neuroscience within the context of birth, and the use of an embodiment approach during a rehabilitative process. Ibukun is regularly invited to speak at conferences, is an instructor to health and birth professionals, and a mentor to students. She lives in London, Ontario, Canada, where she has served women in the childbearing years through her private practice, The Mama's Physio for the past 12+ years. She also owns Hesed Birth, a local childbirth education company, and attends births as a doula. Ibukun's most important vocation is 'mama'. She is blessed to have five beautiful children (ages 4-11) all whom she birthed at home with the support of caring midwives. They keep her hands and heart full. Learn more and connect with Ibukun via socials @themamasphysio.
Rebecca Feldman,CNM, PMHNP-BC
Rebecca Feldman is Certified Nurse-Midwife and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner specializing in reproductive psychiatry. She is the founder and director of Brooklyn Parent Support, a group mental health practice providing group and individual therapy and medication management.
Rebecca is a graduate of Frontier Nursing University in midwifery, and New York University where she completed a Post Master’s in Psychiatric Nursing. She worked in labor and delivery as a nurse and then a midwife for twelve years and is honored to have attended the births of so many families. Prior to founding Brooklyn Parent Support, she practiced perinatal psychiatry at The Motherhood Center of New York, and Zucker Hillside Hospital. A frequent guest speaker on the topic of promoting access to parental mental health care, she has recently presented for the
American College of Nurse-Midwives, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, GOLD Midwifery, the National Perinatal Association and Postpartum Support International.
Birth is usually seen as a moment of celebration and strength, especially in the case of a normal physiological birth. There are situations however even during an uncomplicated birth that can still result in birth trauma. This panel brings together birth professionals to explore the quiet, often unspoken, experiences of trauma that can occur even in births considered "normal". These wounds may stem from emotional disconnection, unmet expectations, perceived or actual violations of autonomy, family conflicts and more. Together, we will reflect on how trauma presents across diverse birthing experiences, how birth professionals can hold space for healing, and how care practices can be optimized to prioritize dignity, agency, and long-term emotional well-being.
Rebecca Feldman is Certified Nurse-Midwife and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner specializing in reproductive psychiatry. She is the founder and director of Brooklyn Parent Support, a group mental health practice providing group and individual therapy and medication management.
Rebecca is a graduate of Frontier Nursing University in midwifery, and New York University where she completed a Post Master’s in Psychiatric Nursing. She worked in labor and delivery as a nurse and then a midwife for twelve years and is honored to have attended the births of so many families. Prior to founding Brooklyn Parent Support, she practiced perinatal psychiatry at The Motherhood Center of New York, and Zucker Hillside Hospital. A frequent guest speaker on the topic of promoting access to parental mental health care, she has recently presented for the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, GOLD Midwifery, the National Perinatal Association and Postpartum Support International.
This presentation will offer actionable steps that midwives, nurses and all those who work with perinatal families can take to help prevent maternal deaths from suicide and overdose.
The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate in the industrialized world, and perinatal mental health disorders are the most common complications of pregnancy. Suicide and overdose are the leading causes of maternal death in the U.S., Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Norway. Worldwide, the majority of maternal deaths related to mental health conditions remain underreported.
Mental health conditions are globally recognized as significant contributors to perinatal health complications. These deaths are largely preventable — yet most mothers who die receive no treatment for their mental health conditions. Though rates vary worldwide, one thing is consistent: all mothers need access to mental health care before, during, and after pregnancy.
Throughout this discussion, we will explore strategies for decreasing maternal mortality related to mental health conditions. Screening is critical, but ineffective without access to quality care. Social determinants of health must be addressed, and stigma around perinatal mood disorders—present across cultures—must be challenged at a societal level. In terms of substance use, most substance-related maternal deaths are due to fentanyl overdose. Frontline providers must be trained to treat perinatal patients, including offering opioid replacement therapy and harm reduction strategies.
With a unified effort from our multiple disciplines, which will be discussed throughout this talk, we can make meaningful strides in reducing preventable deaths and ensuring the well-being of mothers and their families.
Wendi Cleckner, JD, CPM is a midwife, attorney, and lifelong advocate for families. She began her journey into birth work in 1993, supporting a friend through labor and discovering a deep calling. Since then, Wendi has caught over 1500 babies, guided families through pregnancy and postpartum, and become a trusted presence in Arizona’s birth community.
In 2025, Wendi expanded her service to serve families and midwives by founding Cleckner Law, a firm dedicated to defending midwives and supporting them in their practices and estate planning for parents with young children. As both a midwife and lawyer, she brings a unique combination of heart and legal skill to help midwives and families protect what matters most—peace of mind. Her services for midwives include defense against boards and Health Departments, document review and advice on protecting their practices. Her services for families include wills, trusts, and child protection plans that ensure every family has a clear plan in place, should the unexpected occur.
Whether Wendi is catching babies or creating legal safety nets, her work is rooted in the same core values: compassion, clarity, and love.
Midwives working in home birth and birth center settings often face unique legal challenges that require both clinical skill and legal awareness. This session explores the intersection of midwifery and the law, offering practical, judgment-free guidance to help midwives navigate their responsibilities with confidence. Topics include strategies for reducing legal risk, improving documentation, informed consent, understanding scope of practice, advocating for clearer regulations that support community-based care, and managing investigations or complaints. As both a practicing midwife and a practicing attorney, I will provide tools that midwives can apply immediately to strengthen their practice and reduce legal vulnerability. Whether you're new to practice or decades in, this session will leave you feeling more protected, empowered, and prepared to provide excellent care in your community.
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Annet Mulder first became interested in breastfeeding in the year 2000, when she became a mother for the first time. During and because of her own breastfeeding experiences, in 2002 she became a volunteer with the Dutch breastfeeding Organization and in 2008 sat for and passed the exam administered by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, she now
Annet Mulder first became interested in breastfeeding in the year 2000, when she became a mother for the first time. During and because of her own breastfeeding experiences, in 2002 she became a volunteer with the Dutch breastfeeding Organization text text text text more name mulder first became interested in breastfeeding in the year 2000, when she became.
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