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education

Educational Offerings

2012 IPN Educational Offerings Catalog

Statewide Conferences

Regional Workshops

Regional Perinatal Education series — designed to bring updated clinical and programmatic information and networking opportunities to communities throughout Indiana.

Check back often for up to date information regarding our professional educational offerings.

Available Speakers

Indiana Perinatal staff members are available to speak on a variety of topics at trainings, conferences, breakout sessions or workshops. For more information, contact IPN at 866.338.0825 or ipn@indianaperinatal.org.

The Business Case for Breastfeeding: Workplace Lactation Support

Currently nearly 60% of new mothers with children under the age of 3 are in the work force. One of the most significant barriers to continuing breastfeeding is a mother’s return to work or school. This presentation can be targeted in several different pathways: a) the tools needed to establish and sustain a workplace lactation support program, b) how to improve support for the working mother, or c) how to equip breastfeeding educators and advocates with resources to engage support in their community.

Breastfeeding and Safe Sleep: Building Bridges

The best case scenario is that babies are breastfed and have a safe place to sleep. However, all too frequently, families get confused by conflicting messages. In this session, participants will be provided with suggestions on how to find a common ground within these important public health messages. A collaborative exchange of ideas will enable participants to best educate parents on how to combine breastfeeding and providing a safe sleeping environment for their baby.

Safe Sleep

Based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Statement to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), this session includes recommendations on sleep position, smoke free environment, and breastfeeding. Tips on how to prevent flat spots on infant’s head (plagiocephaly) and bedtime rituals will also be discussed, as well as practical tools for dealing with emotional issues, information on safety concerns, and local and national statistics.

Bereavement

All Indiana families experiencing perinatal loss deserve compassionate, timely and individualized care. Professional and community caregivers can develop supportive environments, systems and resources for women and families during and after a perinatal loss. This session focuses on providing guidance and materials to provide compassionate grief support to those affected by a perinatal loss. Assessing an organization’s and community’s current grief support system and developing a work plan to enhance the organization’s grief services will also be discussed.

First Responders

A wide array of caregivers intercede with the family and significant others at the time of an infant death. First responders can include police, firefighters, or EMT’s from local, private or municipal ambulance services or hospital emergency rooms. This time of intense emergency requires practitioners to balance treatment to the infant, support to the family and the need to initiate a thorough investigation. This session provides these various disciplines and specialties in-depth education about SIDS, acute grief and the full range of possible responses exhibited by parents and significant others during this period. The essential components of a thorough investigation of a sudden, unexpected infant death will also be described.

The Value of a Learner's Stance: Lessons Learned from Pregnant and Parenting Women

The voices, perspectives, and experiences of pregnant and parenting women are vital sources of information often overlooked or not understood by professionals. This presentation reveals the findings from a qualitative study recently conducted by the Indiana Perinatal Network and the IU School of Social Work published in the September 2009 edition of the Maternal and Child Health Journal. The study highlights the importance for providers to assume a “learner’s stance” and provides practical suggestions on how to explore cultural factors that can enhance patient and provider interactions and influence health behaviors. Direct participant quotes and an extensive list of cultural beliefs and practices are utilized via an audience participative format to reinforce the study findings.

Advocacy 101

Health care professionals are in a unique position to help promote sound public polices on behalf of women and infants. However, many are overwhelmed by the process or may have a negative impression of elected officials and the political process. This interactive session will provide a practical overview of how the legislative process works, primarily in the State of Indiana, how a bill becomes a law and advocacy skills for health care providers. Examples of legislation impacting perinatal care recently enacted by the Indiana General Assembly will be used to highlight key points.

Domestic Violence and Pregnancy

Violence during pregnancy is as common as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, conditions for which pregnant women are routinely screened. Violence against women by male partners and ex-partners is a major public health problem, resulting in injuries and other long-term health consequences for both the mother and her children. Healthcare professionals are in the critical position of identifying and providing services to abused patients as the first contact point for many of these victims. As part of their routine standard of care, healthcare professionals should screen for and respond to abuse within their perinatal patient population. Immediate recognition of the problem, the provision of medical care, and referrals to appropriate resources can play a significant role in improving maternal and child health and safety. Depending on the interest of the group, this presentation can also include a discussion of the impact of abuse on other health indicators, such as unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV.

Maternal Mortality in Indiana

What are the leading causes of death for pregnant and postpartum women in Indiana? This presentation highlights the findings of the Indiana Maternal Death Review committee, the clinical implications, and the recommendations for action. Topics will include a discussion of causes, interventions to reduce maternal mortality, and strategies for mobilizing communities and strengthening facilities.