Schedule

8:00 am to 6:00 pm
A1—Midwifery Management of Neonatal Resuscitation with Karen Strange

• One day certification session approved for continuing education units
• Attendees will gain and understanding of neonatal transitional phsiology in light of recent research as well as specifics for resuscitation in the out of hospital setting.  This workshop will include the latest studies on thermal management and the baby’s perspective of birth as well as the imprint that resuscitation may leave.
• Learn to evaluate which newborns need resuscitation and how to demonstrate initial ventilatory strategies and indications for resuscitation.
• Enjoy this hands on, thorough full day of training unlike any other neonatal resuscitation workshop.
• Recertification for those already certified is available through this workshop and for those who need medication and intubation certification as well, the exam and practical for these skills will be included.
• MAKE SURE YOU READ ABOUT THE NEW BOOK AND TESTING INFORMATION

3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
A3—Healing from Birth Disappointment and Trauma with Claire Hall and Lisa Barrett

• We will discuss how to recover from, release fears, recapture and reconnect with truth and your ability to trust again after an adverse outcome.
• We will learn through varied perspectives how:
  • The midwife can recover, release her fears, recapture and reconnect with truth and her ability to trust again
  • Birth workers can support one another by recognizing how detrimental “snap judgements” of other midwives can be to the parents, the midwife involved, and the community of birth all together
  • To bring healing to the birth community by encouraging ways to reach out to midwives who are battling when most often we attack, slander, gossip, and ruin reputations based on speculations and hearsay–not facts; and, by learning to encourage and uplift these midwives so as to promote truth and birth trust and just good sense decency and love toward our sisters.

5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
A4—Emotional Freedom Techniques Workshop with Eileen Sullivan

• We will learn what Emotional Freedom technique is and how to demonstrate standard Short-Cut EFT tapping points (all eight) as well as understanding the standard set up and reminder phrases.
• We will also learn how to use EFT to ease pregnancy discomforts; reduce pregnancy complications; prepare for labor and birth; address labor concerns or complications; resolve postpartum issues; relieve trauma from a difficult/disappointing/or disempowering birth experience; and be able to treat oneself for specific concerns.
• We will learn about psychological reversal and how to resolve it using EFT.

9:00 am to 3:00 pm
A5 – Birthing Peace: How the New Science of Human Thriving Can Bring Joy to Your Life & To Your Clients with Marcy Axness

• Through the magic of transference, clients may see you as The Good Mother. In this workshop you’ll get a practical roadmap and tools to use in your own parenting, for more delight and joy at home (not to mention kids with optimal wiring of their brain circuitry); and ways of being with your clients that will deepen rapport, trust and delight. A user-friendly 7-principle framework for understanding and meeting children’s needs from newborn (or brand new client) to adolescence (or less adoring near-term client)… including ways for you and your clients to:

• • enrich the power of the magic postpartum window
  • harness the most potent means of teaching, and learning
  • share optimal childbirth preparation with our children
  • detour around the most common “peaceful parenting pitfalls” that are epidemic in our culture—and into more joy
  • engender such a level of respect that 99% of discipline issues evaporate and family enjoyment blossoms
  • revise old programming that trips up even the most conscious parents when kids push their buttons…so we don’t recycle it for yet another generation
  • tap into the power we each have to influence who we become in the coming weeks, months and years, thanks to the wonders of neuroplasticity, cell regeneration, and epigenetics: we are always pregnant with and parenting our future selves!

Thursday, April 12, 2012:

9:00 am to 3:00 pm
B1–Ancient Herbs; Modern Medicine with Shonda Parker

• Through lecture, discussion, and hands on research you will learn how the body interacts with, metabolizes, and distributes herbal medicines of different types.
• Learn the factors that can influence the skin, mucous membranes, and gastrointestinal absorption of herbal medicines.
• Examine tissue sensitivity to herbal medicines and be able to demonstrate a knowledge of therapeutic considerations that must be used when counseling the client of childbearing age.
• Present a case study relevant to your personal birth work and as a group offer critical and supportive suggestions for improvement in herbal care.
• Session includes identification of herbs and hands on participation

9:00 am to 4:00 pm
B2–Undisturbed Birth: The Science and Wisdom with Sarah Buckley

• Join Sarah as she explores the science and wisdom of natural, undisturbed birth.
• Learn about the “ecstatic hormones of undisturbed birth” and their importance in optimising safety, ease and pleasure for mother and baby.
• Discover the wisdom of an undisturbed hour after birth and delayed cord clamping, and the long-term benefits for breastfeeding and attachment.

3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
B3–Variations of Normal Birth with Lisa Barrett

• Receive training from one of the World’s leading experts on birth variations such as twin delivery, breech delivery and other considerations that typically bring great fear and lack of training/understanding in the medical and midwifery realm.
• Learn the different variations that can occur in birth and ways in which the birth server can help the mother to transition through them.
• Glean knowledge of positional changes, how to vary ones support of the mother appropriately as well as other techniques used to support each individual situation.
• Learn from actual and amazing birth stories, see pictures/video, in order to glean the best measures of support for the women you will serve.

6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
B4–Liver Rejuvenation and the Art of Cleansing for Women in the Childbearing Years with Sherry Rothwell

• Learn How to Harness the Power of Liver Rejuvenation to Cleanse with CONFIDENCE, so that you can Increase Your Energy and Boost Your Mood WITHOUT nausea, detox symptoms or causing harm to your unborn or breastfed babe!
• Whether you are a caregiver who desires to gain more knowledge about liver rejuvenation to benefit the women you serve, or you are a mama who is curious about cleansing, this class will give you a new and empowering perspective that will help allay your concerns.
• We will look at liver health and rejuvenation not only from the perspective of western science and Naturopathy, but also through the eyes of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
• By embracing the wisdom in each approach and by looking at the broader perspective, we will piece together the common themes that can help us gain a better understanding of how our body functions as a whole.
• We will weave together the knowledge, tools and strategies that are essential to support our bodies’ inherent cleansing capacity, while at the same time discovering the specific distinctions that afford us the wisdom to know how to rejuvenate effectively and cleanse responsibly.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm
B5–Essential Oils, Hormone Balancing, and Emotional Healing w/ Dr. Catherine Rott and Carrie Shepard

• Join these experts as they teach you which essential oils support the endocrine system, including how the unique delivery mechanism for cellular communication affects the body.
• Learn the method(s) of application of essential oils.
• Learn the potential anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) role essential oils play in hormone balancing and stress reduction.
• Learn how to identify what physical, mental, spiritual & emotional root causes result in hormonal disruption and so much more.
• Get samples and participate in hands on work.  You do not want to miss this amazing six hour preconference.

Friday, April 13, 2012:

A complimentary coffee/tea service will begin at 8 am.

Opening Session: 9 am to 11:45 am with Carla Hartley and Dr. Sarah Buckley who will present “Liquid Love: Oxytocin”

Sarah presents new understandings of the critical role of this hormone of “ calm and connection” in birth and mothering and in life-long health and well-being. She argues that the optimal orchestration of the oxytocin system that is associated with undisturbed birth has life-long benefits for mother, baby, father and family,

WORKING LUNCH: “HOW TO BE A MIDWIFE!!!” w/ Carla Hartley (You will need to sign up for this session and there will be a limit to the number of people who can attend.)

Track 1: (1:15p to 2:45p)

1A— Nutrition and Pregnancy: The Truth About Health and Complication Prevention Part 1–Joy Jones, RN

What is the most accurate version of the Brewer Diet? How does the Brewer Diet help mothers to follow the normal physiology of pregnancy? What are the mechanics of osmotic pressure, and how do those mechanics relate to a blood volume increase in pregnancy, and to the Brewer Diet? Come and find out!

1B—Oxygen and the Midwife, Part 1–Jill McDanal

Can you answer me this: What is your drive to breathe? What are the three types of fetal heart decelerations and their causes? What risks are there to using oxygen and the legal ramifications?
If you don’t know, you want to be here….

I will be discussing this and much more. A completed survey will be required for admittance for this session – details to follow.

1C—Keeping the Fires Burning–Conquering Stress and Burnout for Mother/Baby Professionals—Micky Jones

Do you long for that “balanced life” people talk about? Wonder why so many midwives, doulas and birth activists seem to burnout after a few short years? Is it your desire to support mothers and babies for years to come? In this session we will discuss the place of stress in our lives and begin personalized plans for stress reduction and elimination of burnout.

1D—Making Mom a Palpation Expert—Bettie Sheets
1E—Pregnancy Massage–Jane Drichta
1F—Vaccination Information and Holistic Preparedness—Deanna Hlywka, ND

Track 2: (3:15p to 4:45p)

2A—Nurturing and Nourishing Women in the Postpartum Period—Sherry Rothwell
2B—Panel—The Reality of Cytotec and Pitocin: Maddie Oden, Gloria Lemay, and Jill McDanal

This workshop will consist of a panel who will present the risks and benefits of Cytotec Inductions along with first hand experiences of real life adverse events that can and do occur due to the off label use of Cytotec ( Misoprostol).

2C—Birth from the Biblical Perspective—Terri LaPoint

In this session, we will look at birth through the Scriptures and dig deep into the original languages to see what God really says. It might be surprising to you. Not that the answers haven’t always been there – they have. But very few have actually looked in the right places. We will look at Biblical perspectives

on midwives, as well as the baby in the womb, who can be called as well as wounded, and how we can minister to these issues. This will be a powerful session, going places few have gone before. We will be faithful to the Word, and we will see people set free, and equip you to see captives set free. This session is not only for Christians, but for anyone who has wondered if maybe there is something more than what you’ve been taught. (And yes, there is.)

2D—”Push-less Birth”–Heather Brock and Laura Shanley

Forced pushing (pushing when the mother has no impulse to do so) is not only unnecessary, it can also be dangerous for both the mother and the baby. When a woman is relaxed, most babies can be born with little or no pushing.

2E— Oxygen and the Midwife, Part 2–Jill McDanal

Can you answer me this: What is your drive to breathe? What are the three types of fetal heart decelerations and their causes? What risks are there to using oxygen and the legal ramifications?
If you don’t know, you want to be here….
I will be discussing this and much more. A completed survey will be required for admittance for this session – details to follow.

2F— Baby’s Experience of Birth Part 1–Karen Strange

Awards Dinner Banquet: Friday from 7 pm to 9:30 pm in the Ballroom; Keynote: “Transitioning from the Male Model of Measurement” with Claire Hall

Many midwives do not do routine vaginal examinations because they are intrusive and painful and there are other ways of monitoring progress. This is a very good thing, but I would suggest it doesn’t go far enough. We need to critically apply “why” we monitor as well as examine “how” we monitor. We need to care more about how she is rather than where she is. Since medicine first took over birth as their domain, it has looked at the whole issue with a male-mind. Progress of labor was assessed, measured and monitored, categorized and boxed and put on a time line with a clear beginning, clear progression and clear end. All of this was so that the observer could have some understanding of a process that they were otherwise excluded from and powerless over. The authority and power of birth shifted from the birthing woman to the attendant. In reality, birth is a purely feminine phenomenon that is NOT linear and we cannot understand it with a male mind. Women have the body and the innate wisdom to birth, but we will never see the power and authority of birth be returned to the birthing woman until birth attendants change their mindset about birth.

Saturday, April 14, 2012:

A complimentary service of coffee/tea will begin at 8am

Track 3: (8:30a to 10:00a)

3A–The Umbilical Cord–Rachel Reed
3B–Holistic Treatment of Mood Disorders in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Periods–Deanna Hlywka, ND
3C–Nutrition and Pregnancy: The Truth About Health and Complication Prevention Part 2–Joy Jones, RN

How does a falling blood volume trigger various complications of pregnancy, including the PIH/PE/E/HELLP syndrome and IUGR, among others? What kinds of nutritional responses can be used to prevent or reverse those complications? Can some herbs actually counteract the efforts of mothers who are on the Brewer Diet? Come and find out!

3D—PANEL: Why Women Stay Home Alone–Heather Brock, Emily Reeves, Laura Shanley, and Cindy Hetzer
3E—The Womanly Art of Birthing–Sheila Stubbs

Childbirth doesn’t have to be the scary medical event we see on tv.
This session explores some of the many ways the beauty and mystery and joy of childbirth have been overshadowed by its institutionalization. Discover ways to give birth with dignity and power instead of fear and pain. Learn how the media manipulates our views on what it means to give birth.

3F–Chiropractic for the Childbearing Years–Dr. Tiffany Fernandez

Track 4: (10:30a to Noon)

4A—The Hour After Birth: Postgraduate Education for Mother and Baby–Dr. Sarah Buckley

4B–Post Dates Pregnancy–Gloria Lemay
4C–PANEL: Trusting Birth After a Cesarean–Dr. Tiffany Fernandez, Laureen Hudson, and Jessica Tiderman

How does a pregnant woman wade through the morass of inadequate, incorrect, and just plain bad information and fear after she’s had a cesarean? With the help of her friends. Come hear Jessica, Tiffany, and Laureen, share their experiences, and help you learn to help the VBACing women around you.

4D–Does the Experience Matter?–Claire Hall

Planned home birth is a subject of ongoing controversy and women are often accused of selfishly putting their experience over the well being of their baby by choosing to birth at home. This session looks at why “the experience” is vitally important to the well being of both mother and baby. Midwives need to understand that they cannot interfere with this process and there be no consequences. Merely observing the process has consequences for both the observer and the observed. How does your presence impact on a mother’s birth experience and how can you lessen your negative impact?

4E–Evidence Based Practice—Rachel Reed
4F–Female Physics: Correct Exercise Prescription to Maximize Vaginal Birthing Space and Mechanics (Kegels No More)–Katy Bowman

Commonly misunderstood, pelvic floor exercise can actually exacerbate pelvic floor issues before, during, and after pregnancy. How does the pelvic floor actually work in conjunction with the rest of the human machine and what should birthing professionals know about guidelines for correct, birth enhancing movement programs.

Track 5: (1:30p to 3:00p)

5A—”You Are Not In Labor: One of the Hardest Things You Will Ever Have to Share”–Gloria Lemay
5B–Shoulder Dystocia–A Situation Based Approach–Rachel Reed
5C–The Trust Birth Doula—Lisa Wass
5D–Baby’s Experience of Birth Part 2–Karen Strange
5E–Web Presence Camp Part 1–Laureen Hudson

Being online is one thing; being online effectively, efficiently, and with a purpose, is entirely another thing. Come learn how twitter can help you, how facebook can hurt you, how to make your blog worth its hosting fees, and how to make your website show up high on a search. This is a camp, so show up with your laptops charged and your questions ready. I will also be covering security, politics of technology, and backup strategies.

5F–UC Stories and Vignettes—Laura Shanley

Left to its own devices, birth can be a fascinating adventure. Join me as I share some of the more interesting and unusual unassisted birth stories I’ve received over the years.

Track 6: (3:30p to 5:00p)

6A— Mapping the Pelvis—Lisa Barrett
6B–Mommy Diagnostics–Shonda Parker
6C–Maternal Fatigue and Labor Dystocia—Gloria Lemay
6D–How Male Attendants Changed the Way Childbirth is Handled–Sheila Stubbs

Childbirth has traditionally been a woman’s secret domain. This session will explore the reasons for and results of changes in birth since males have become the most common attendants for childbearing women in North America. Discover what was lost when birth changed from a female-supported family event to a male-dominated medical event.

6E–Homegrown Probiotics–Laureen Hudson

Sick of shelling out major money for bottled probiotics of dubious strength? Start growing your own! Fermentation is yummy, economical, healthful, and fascinating. We’ll learn the basics of how to make your own kombucha, fermented veggies, lactofermented pickles, sourdough, and kefir. Water kefir kits will be available for sale at the talk, and throughout the conference.

6F–”You Don’t Know Squat”–Katy Bowman

The biomechanics of the squat, when done correctly, can increase pelvic floor tone and strength without increasing tension — an issue that often makes natural birthing more challenging. The squat, however, is often prescribed too generally, creating more tension in the trunk, possibly leading to downward Valsalva pressure (unsafe for later trimesters), and excessive forces in the hips and knees — making this essential position unattainable for many women. This
course teaches how to effectively break down the squat into a pieces over the second and third trimester, giving birthing professionals the opportunity to offer better movement guidelines for natural birthing.

Track 7 (EXTENDED SESSIONS): (7:00p to 9:30p)

7A—Panel: Licensure—Planning to Practice With or Without–Carla Hartley, Lisa Barrett, Gloria Lemay, and Maryn Leister
7B—Perinatal Pearls: Offering Comprehensive Naturopathic Care–Deanna Hlywka, ND
7C—Transitioning from Doula Service to Midwifery–Jane Drichta

Sunday, April 15, 2012

A complimentary service of coffee/tea will begin at 8am Track 8: (8:30a to 10:00a)

Track 8:

8A—Stages of Labor–The Emperor’s New Clothes–Rachel Reed
8B–Making the Transition from Hospital to Home Birth–Bettie Sheets

Women come home after having hospital births for many reasons, this session will focus on ways to help women to make that transition seamless by recognizing the needs of the woman prenatally and gaining an awareness for patterns of behavior prominent in women who desire home birth but have only previously given birth in a hospital setting.

8C–”I Have To Do What?”–Claire Hall

Is the obstetric system really set up to provide care to women, or to seek compliance from them? As a care provider to women, what is your priority? How do your actions affect a woman’s autonomy? This session is an interactive look at the most common

things that happen to women during pregnancy and birth. What is necessary, and what is not? We will examine the evidence and discuss philosophy and real life situations and examples. Participates can choose the direction of the discussion by choosing which topics to be discussed. Topics will include such things as antenatal care, post dates, GBS status, Fetal Heart Rates in pregnancy and labour, Optimal Fetal Positioning, Glucose Tolerance Test, PLROM, presence of Meconium, Prolonged Labour (“failure” to progress), Prolonged second stage and extended pushing, prolonged third stage, transferring from a home birth – and anything else you want to discuss

8D–Placentophagy–Lisa Barrett
8E–Meconium: Facts, Implications; and Perspectives–Karen Strange
8F–Introduction to Essential Oils–Carrie Sheppard

Track 9: (10:30a to Noon)

9A—Prenatal Testing and Ultrasound: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly—Dr. Sarah Buckley

Routine maternity care involves an increasing number of tests, aimed at diagnosing problems in the unborn baby. These include testing for Down Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities; and routine ultrasound. Neither of these systems can guarantee a healthy child and both can involve difficult decision-making and, for some families, significant emotional trauma. In addition, the risks of modern ultrasound remain unknown. This workshop provides evidence-based information to guide women and those who care for them in making informed choices in this complex area.

9B–Advanced Maternal Age–Gloria Lemay
9C–The Truth About Gestational Diabetes–Joy Jones

Why do some women spill sugar in their urine in pregnancy, and why is this usually a normal event in pregnancy? What are the weaknesses of the GTT? What are the artificial constructs in the medical system which have created the phenomenon called “gestational diabetes”? What does the placenta do which creates higher blood sugars in pregnancy? Hopefully, this session will give you new questions to ask of the current “standard of care”.

9D–Chiropractic for Kids (Newborn and Beyond)–Dr. Tiffany Fernandez

9E–Web Presence Camp Part 2–Laureen Hudson

Being online is one thing; being online effectively, efficiently, and with a purpose, is entirely another thing. Come learn how twitter can help you, how facebook can hurt you, how to make your blog worth its hosting fees, and how to make your website show up high on a search. This is a camp, so show up with your laptops charged and your questions ready. I will also be covering security, politics of technology, and backup strategies.

9F–Maya Abdominal Therapy–Tracy Freeman

Join me in this talk as I share with you a bit of history and basic concepts surrounding the ancient techniques of the Maya Abdominal Therapy. I will discuss how the common condition of uterine displacement impacts fertility and how these techniques assist to bring the body back into its natural balance.

Sunday, Round Table Luncheon—noon to 1:45 pm in the Ballroom

Closing Session: 2 pm to 4 pm

Stragglers Dinner–at a nearby restaurant. Many of the speakers and staff will attend and enjoy fellowshipping with any attendees who remain (Please register ahead of time for reservation purposes)