Midwifery and Neonatal Care
Sessions
March 27, 2025   09:00 AM GMT

2nd Webinar onMidwifery and Neonatal Care

Early Bird Registration End Date: Jan 31, 2025
Abstract Submission Opens: Jan 21, 2025

Sessions

Antenatal Care: Ensuring a Healthy Pregnancy

Antenatal care is critical for monitoring the health and well-being of both the mother and the developing baby throughout pregnancy. Early and regular prenatal visits help detect any potential risks, allowing for timely interventions and support. This session covers the importance of routine screenings such as ultrasounds, blood tests, and physical assessments, and provides advice on managing nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being

  • Ensuring a Healthy Pregnancy
  • Monitoring Maternal and Fetal Health
  • Preparing for Birth: Educating the Mother

Labor and Birth: A Midwife’s Role in Supporting Women

Midwives play a crucial role in supporting women during labor and birth, guiding them through the stages of labor and ensuring a safe and positive experience. This session explains the three stages of labor, from early contractions to delivery and post-delivery care. Midwives support the woman emotionally and physically, assisting with pain management, whether through natural methods like breathing techniques, water birth, or providing medical interventions such as epidurals when necessary.

  • Stages of labor and how midwives provide continuous support
  • Pain Management Options
  • Creating a Birth Plan

Postpartum Care and Recovery

Postpartum care is vital for ensuring the mother’s physical and emotional recovery after birth. In this session, midwives will learn how to monitor immediate postpartum health, including managing bleeding, uterine contractions, and signs of infection. Special attention will be given to supporting breastfeeding, addressing common challenges such as latch issues and sore nipples, and providing emotional support to mothers experiencing baby blues or postpartum depression.

  • Guidelines for monitoring the mother’s recovery after delivery
  • Early newborn assessments and establishing breastfeeding
  • Identifying and addressing postpartum depression and anxiety

Neonatal Care: Early Life Support for the Baby

The first moments and hours after birth are critical for the newborn’s health. This session will explore the importance of immediate newborn assessments, such as the APGAR score, checking for breathing difficulties, and performing screening tests for conditions like jaundice or congenital heart defects. Midwives will also learn how to promote early bonding through skin-to-skin contact, encourage breastfeeding initiation, and provide guidance on newborn care

  • Early identification of birth defects and other health issues
  • Promoting breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact
  • Regular health check-ups and screening for newborn conditions

Emotional and Psychological Support for the Mother

Emotional well-being is just as important as physical recovery in the postpartum period. This session will discuss the psychological impact of childbirth on mothers, highlighting the importance of addressing issues like postpartum depression, anxiety, and stress. Midwives will learn to identify the early signs of mental health challenges and how to provide appropriate support, whether through counseling, referrals to mental health professionals, or simply providing a listening ear

  • The importance of mental health during pregnancy and postpartum
  • Identifying signs of mental health issues during pregnancy and the postpartum period
  • Involving partners and families in the emotional care process

Midwifery in the Digital Age: Telehealth and Remote Monitoring

The digital revolution has transformed healthcare, including midwifery. This session explores the use of telemedicine in midwifery, focusing on how virtual consultations are used to monitor maternal and fetal health, especially for women in remote or underserved areas. Midwives will learn about wearable technologies and mobile apps that track health metrics, such as blood pressure and fetal movements, and how these tools can enhance care

  • Overview of telehealth platforms and their role in midwifery care
  • Use of wearable technology and apps for tracking health data
  • Addressing privacy concerns and maintaining confidentiality in digital care

Cultural Competency in Midwifery Practice

Cultural competence is essential for providing respectful and inclusive care to all women, regardless of their cultural or ethnic background. This session will teach midwives how to approach care with cultural sensitivity, including understanding and respecting cultural beliefs around pregnancy, birth, and postnatal practices. It will discuss how to overcome barriers such as language differences, religious practices, and societal expectations, ensuring that women feel respected and understood

  • The importance of respecting cultural beliefs and practices in midwifery
  • Strategies to overcome language barriers and ensure clear communication
  • Providing equitable care to marginalized and underserved communities

Advancing the Midwifery Profession

Midwifery is a dynamic and evolving profession, and this session will focus on the importance of continuous professional development. Midwives will learn about opportunities for advanced education, certifications, and specializations within the field, such as nurse-midwifery or international midwifery

  • Opportunities for growth and further certifications in midwifery
  • Advocacy strategies to promote midwifery care within healthcare systems
  • The role of midwives in advancing research and best practices

Natural Birth vs. Medical Interventions: A Balanced Approach

This session explores the ongoing debate between natural birth and medically assisted births, providing a balanced perspective on both options. Midwives will learn about the various medical interventions available during labor, such as pain relief options, inductions, and cesarean sections, and their respective risks and benefits.

  • The benefits and risks of natural births and medical interventions
  • Collaboration with obstetricians for safer outcomes
  • Supporting the autonomy of the birthing person while providing evidence-based information

Advanced Midwifery Skills: Managing High-Risk Pregnancies

High-risk pregnancies require specialized care and attention. In this session, midwives will be trained on identifying risk factors such as maternal age, pre-existing health conditions (like diabetes and hypertension), and complications from previous pregnancies. The session will discuss how midwives collaborate with obstetricians and other specialists when managing high-risk cases and what signs to look out for that may indicate complications, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or fetal distress. Emergency management, including when to refer to a higher level of care, will also be covered.

  • Common risk factors and early detection of complications
  • Working with obstetricians and specialists in high-risk pregnancies
  • Recognizing and responding to emergencies like preeclampsia or fetal distress

Latest News

New midwifery degree seeks to develop the next generation of nurse midwives

2025-01-27 - 2025-01

We look forward to inspiring and educating the next generation of compassionate and highly skilled nurse midwives," said C. Josef Ghosn, EdD, FACHE, president of Advent Health University. "At Advent Health University, we are committed to providing world-class whole-person education for our students and innovating to meet the health care needs of our community. Graduates of this program will be able to practice as Certified Nurse Midwives, specializing in holistic care for women, including prenatal, childbirth, postpartum and gynecological services. Midwives work in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, medical practices, birthing centers and women’s health clinics.

The midwifery degree is designed for nurses aspiring to advance their career, and a bachelor’s degree is required. Courses for this new degree are set to begin in the 2025 fall term. Clinical rotations will take place at Advent Health hospitals. The World Health Organization estimates a shortage of more than 300,000 midwives by 2030 if steps are not taken to increase educational opportunities and expand the midwifery workforce to meet women's health needs locally and globally. We are so grateful to work with Advent Health University to develop the next generation of nurse midwives," said Kristen Toth, MS, vice president of women services and Advent Health for Women. "At Advent Health, our certified nurse midwives spend time getting to know patients and their families and providing individualized, evidence-based care.

Humanitarian Midwifery in West and Central Africa

2025-01-28 - 2025-01

The West and Central Africa (WCA) region faces immense humanitarian needs driven by conflict, instability, and climate change. In 2025, nearly 36 million people in the WCA Region are in need of humanitarian aid and 11.5 million are displaced, with women and girls facing heightened risks like maternal mortality, gender-based violence (GBV), and limited access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.

In 2023, it was estimated that half of the total global maternal deaths between 2000 and 2020 occurred in WCA with 125,215 maternal deaths each year. To tackle this, UNFPA is working in partnership with Ministries of Health to strengthen health systems and midwifery workforces, including training midwives to respond to humanitarian crises to improve preparedness and response capacity.

UK-India Research Partnership Meet Focuses on Women’s Health

2025-01-31 - 2025-01

The first-ever India-UK Research Partnership Meet kicked off in Hyderabad, hosted by the Fernandez Hospital Education & Research Foundation (FHERF) in collaboration with the University of Liverpool. The event marked a significant milestone in strengthening research and education ties between the two nations, with a primary focus on advancing women’s health through collaborative efforts and shared expertise. Held at Fernandez Stork Home, the discussions centered around maternal and child health challenges and the importance of evidence-based approaches in improving healthcare outcomes Professor Shakila Thangaratinam, an expert in women’s health and India Lead at the University of Liverpool, delivered the keynote address. A key collaborator with the World Health Organization (WHO), she emphasized the necessity of collective efforts in ensuring high-quality care for women, irrespective of their geography or socio-economic status. Research-driven partnerships like these bridge the gap between science and real-world impact. By working together, we can turn evidence into action and ensure that every woman receives the highest standard of care,” said Professor Thangaratinam. The event saw participation from government representatives of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, UNICEF, and leading higher education institutions. Indie Kaur, Director of Midwifery at Fernandez Foundation, highlighted the pivotal role of midwife-led care models in ensuring safe and respectful maternity care.

“Midwifery is the backbone of safe and respectful maternity care. By integrating midwife-led models with cutting-edge research, we can create a future where every woman experiences a positive and empowered childbirth journey,” she stated.

European Air Ambulance resumes neonatal transport services

2025-02-03 - 2025-02

European Air Ambulance tells us about the intense work it has done to relaunch its specialist neonatal services
Following the devastating fire at its headquarters in March 2024, which resulted in the loss of all the equipment for neonatal air ambulance flights, European Air Ambulance (EAA) is pleased to announce the resumption of its neonatal air ambulance services. With the arrival of two brand-new incubators, along with other essential neonatal equipment, EAA has relaunched its neonatal air ambulance flights with its aircraft fleet, consisting of two Bombardier Challenger 605 and three Learjet 45XR. The Medical Department of EAA, under the leadership of Didier Dandrifosse and with the dedicated support of the Neonatal Medical Supervisor Dr Jean Bottu and Deputy Chief Flight Nurse Jan Saubain, has worked tirelessly over the past few months to select, acquire, and prepare the new neonatal equipment for service.
Specialist challenges
Transporting and repatriating newborns, especially premature infants, presents unique challenges as these vulnerable patients require uninterrupted care. They need meticulous temperature regulation, continuous cardiorespiratory and haemodynamic monitoring, and timely intervention. Moreover, their wellbeing depends on maintaining stability despite environmental factors such as noise, air pressure, temperature and vibrations during transport to and from the airport, during the loading and unloading of the aircraft and, most importantly, during the flight itself.
The missions
EAA’s neonatal missions are always accompanied by highly trained neonatologist and a specialised intensive care flight nurse trained in European paediatric advanced life support (EPALS). Together they ensure the safe handling of the incubator and the highest level of care for the transported patients. By introducing the two new advanced transport incubators, European Air Ambulance is able to further improve neonatal care and ensure the safe and efficient transport of newborns to specialised medical facilities around the globe. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, EAA places the utmost importance on the protection and comfort of vulnerable patients during transport. The highly skilled team of expert doctors and nurses, combined with state-of-the-art equipment, strengthens EAA’s position as a global leader in neonatal air ambulance services. With its unwavering commitment to excellence, European Air Ambulance continues to set the standard for compassionate and reliable medical transport for newborns in critical need of specialised care.

European Air Ambulance resumes neonatal transport services

2025-02-03 - 2025-02

European Air Ambulance tells us about the intense work it has done to relaunch its specialist neonatal services. Following the devastating fire at its headquarters in March 2024, which resulted in the loss of all the equipment for neonatal air ambulance flights, European Air Ambulance (EAA) is pleased to announce the resumption of its neonatal air ambulance services. With the arrival of two brand-new incubators, along with other essential neonatal equipment, EAA has relaunched its neonatal air ambulance flights with its aircraft fleet, consisting of two Bombardier Challenger 605 and three Learjet 45XR. The Medical Department of EAA, under the leadership of Didier Dandrifosse and with the dedicated support of the Neonatal Medical Supervisor Dr Jean Bottu and Deputy Chief Flight Nurse Jan Saubain, has worked tirelessly over the past few months to select, acquire, and prepare the new neonatal equipment for service.
Specialist challenges
Transporting and repatriating newborns, especially premature infants, presents unique challenges as these vulnerable patients require uninterrupted care. They need meticulous temperature regulation, continuous cardiorespiratory and haemodynamic monitoring, and timely intervention. Moreover, their wellbeing depends on maintaining stability despite environmental factors such as noise, air pressure, temperature and vibrations during transport to and from the airport, during the loading and unloading of the aircraft and, most importantly, during the flight itself.
The missions
EAA’s neonatal missions are always accompanied by highly trained neonatologist and a specialised intensive care flight nurse trained in European paediatric advanced life support (EPALS). Together they ensure the safe handling of the incubator and the highest level of care for the transported patients. By introducing the two new advanced transport incubators, European Air Ambulance is able to further improve neonatal care and ensure the safe and efficient transport of newborns to specialised medical facilities around the globe. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, EAA places the utmost importance on the protection and comfort of vulnerable patients during transport. The highly skilled team of expert doctors and nurses, combined with state-of-the-art equipment, strengthens EAA’s position as a global leader in neonatal air ambulance services. With its unwavering commitment to excellence, European Air Ambulance continues to set the standard for compassionate and reliable medical transport for newborns in critical need of specialised care.

Maha to amend Nursing Homes Registration rules

2025-02-05 - 2025-02

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With college on the horizon, McCracken County High School senior Arianna Montoya aims to pursue to a nursing degree, after a pre-nursing pathway seasoned her for the field. Currently holding a 3.8 GPA, she is slated to graduate in May as a certified nurse aide and medical assistant.

Montoya is this week’s Murray State University Teen of the Week. She plans to attend West Kentucky Technical and Community College before transferring to Murray State to become a registered nurse.

Montoya attributed her passion for medicine to her mother, a registered nurse, and aunt, a nurse practitioner. She said their influence emboldened her at an early age to maintain a family legacy of excellence in caregiving.

California launches initiative to transform maternity care, address disparities

2025-02-06 - 2025-02

BAKERSFIELD Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The Department of Health Care Services has unveiled a new initiative, Birthing Care Pathways, aimed at transforming maternity care in California. The program seeks to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality while addressing significant racial and ethnic disparities in the state. The ultimate goal is really to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and to address significant racial and ethical disparities in our state," said Babaria, Chief Quality Officer and Deputy Director of Quality and Population Health Management at DHCS. The initiative will prioritize whole-person care, support pregnant members enrolled in public health insurance, and establish evidence-based treatments to save lives.
Experts have pointed to multiple factors contributing to the devastating morbidity and mortality rates reported in the Central Valley, including lack of infrastructure, geographic isolation, and a shortage of providers. Shantay R. Davies-Balch, President and CEO of the BLACK (Belonging, Love, Affinity, Community, & Kinship) Wellness & Prosperity Center, highlighted disparities in investment across the state. "We've seen so much investment happening in Northern and Southern California, like the number of providers, the number of doulas. When we were starting our doula work, we engaged with over 85 providers and most of them had never even worked with a doula, some of them had never even heard of a doula," Davies-Balch said. Data from the California Department of Public Health indicates that between 2019 and 2021, Black pregnant women experienced the highest rates of pregnancy-related mortality.Although California does not report pregnancy-related mortality rates for American-Indian/Alaska Native women due to low sample sizes, the CDC reports that nationally, these women are twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women. This is attributed to limited resources, lack of culturally competent care, and discrimination. Angel Galvez, Chief Executive Officer of the Bakersfield American Indian Health Project, emphasized the disparities. "The data published in the last three years in terms of race/ethnicity shows that we have the highest disparity rates and percentages among American Indian Alaska Native people," Galvez said.

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