Course Offerings

During this workshop, participants will learn about out-of-hospital and in-hospital birth options, the role of each labor phase, and the essentials of movement to promote normal physiologic progression.  We will review techniques for laboring at home including breath-work, acupressure, heat, and aromatherapy.  Attendees will learn about the statistics surrounding maternity care in the U.S., the impact of structural racism on Black maternal health outcomes, and strategies for establishing equity during the healthcare experience. Throughout the session, ways to partner with the obstetric team on reclaiming safety and satisfaction during the birth experience will be offered.

During this interactive hands-on training, attendees will learn indications of a thriving and unwell infant, how to assess an unwell infant, and when to go to the hospital.  We will learn and practice how to evaluate an unresponsive infant, initiate first aid, and perform infant CPR.  We will look at accident prevention steps to implement at home and the management of infant burns.  Simulation is incorporated into the didactic portion of the course.  All instruction has been developed within published guidelines by the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

During this workshop, we examine the admission process for families planning in-hospital birth, common hospital protocols, and client birth preferences through an equity lens.  Nonpharmacologic, holistic pain management strategies for active labor will be reviewed.  Pharmacologic pain management options for early and active labor are also discussed.   We explore what to expect during the birthing process and strategies to minimize perineal tears during the second stage.  Participants will become familiar with potential complications and the accompanying interventions as well as rules and tools for shared decision-making.  Both planned and unplanned cesarean births will be reviewed.  Public health recommendations during the immediate postnatal period will be discussed as well as ways clients can partner with the obstetric team on developing the birth experience of their dreams.

The excitement of labor and birth has concluded and the birthing family is preparing for discharge home.  During this workshop, attendees learn about the newborn physical assessment, metabolic screening, and hearing test administered before hospital discharge.  We will discuss the maternal and newborn benefits of breastfeeding, breastmilk composition, and key pointers for successful, sustainable, and gratifying breastfeeding experiences.  We will also review formula preparation and storage.  

Birthing people will learn about normal postpartum physiology, mental health, and relational adjustments during the first six weeks after birth.  Attendees will learn about deviations from the normal postnatal course with a focus on the leading causes of maternal death. 

During this interactive, hands-on training, attendees will learn approaches to newborn hygiene, skin, nail, and umbilical stump care.  Simulation will be incorporated into the didactic portion of the content.

During this talk attendees will examine risk factors for delayed lactogenesis and insufficient lactation, discuss lactation and shared decision-making with transgender families, the impact of co-morbidities on lactation, labor complications, and more!

During this training attendees discuss all available contraceptive options in the U.S. from abstinence to permanent sterilization - through a reproductive justice lens.  We also examine cultural considerations, the process of informed consent, and counseling techniques that offer invaluable anticipatory guidance to consumers. 

During this talk caregivers get an overview of the reproductive health system, review current research on the impact of tweens and teens receiving high-quality reproductive health and sex education, caregiver engagement, and strategies for developing organic dialog about sex and sexuality with this demographic.

During this training, attendees will receive a brief history of gynecology in the U.S., examine classifications of FGM/C, explore clinical management, consider client perspectives, discuss relevant client education, and review federal and New York State laws surrounding the practice through the lens of cultural competence and reproductive justice.