As advocates and professionals concerned with perinatal mental health, a current issue of major concern is how to connect the life-saving services of all perinatal professionals and support systems in a way that will provide a continuum of care of new mothers, their infants and families. The Hudson Valley Birth Network invites you to attend a one-day conference on this critical topic on May 15, 2012. The conference will be held from 9 AM to 4 PM at The James House Mansion at Phelps Memorial Hospital 701 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591.
The program will open with a re-broadcast of Emmy Award winning <a href="http://perinatalpro.com/blog/?p=1810">Sara Lee Kessler's </a>inaugural PBS series <strong>"Healthbeat"</strong> featuring postpartum depression and steps taken so far to attempt to facilitate these community connections. This conference offers the only additional current opportunity to see this acclaimed presentation as it will not be available online.
Keynote Speaker will be <a rel="nofollow" >Susan'>http://perinatalpro.com/home/whoisperinatalpro.html">Susan Dowd Stone MSW, LCSW</a> an award winning author, advocate and mental health expert and former president of Postpartum Support International. Susan is a NJHHS Certified Perinatal Mood Disorders Instructor, an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the MSW program at the Silver School of Social Work, New York University and public reviewer for the National Institute of Mental Health. Her co-edited book <strong><em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perinatal-Postpartum-Mood-Disorders-Perspectives/dp/082610116X">Perinatal and Postpartum Mood Disorders. Perspectives and Treatment Guide for the Health Care Practitioner</a></em></strong>, has been adopted by professional education programs around the world. A book signing will allow participants to purchase this essential manual at a discounted price.
Following the keynote presentation, an afternoon panel discussion will take place featuring the following experts from the world of perinatal mental health:
<strong>Sabrina Khan, MD, Reproductive Psychiatrist, NYU Medical Center, New York, NY.</strong>
Dr. Khan is Board certified in both Psychiatry and Neurology. She is a Clinical Instructor at NYU Medical Center. She lectures and supervises students on perinatal mood disorders.
Dr. Khan will discuss her work treating women experiencing mood and anxiety symptoms related to their menstrual cycle, during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as perimenopause/menopause. She will describe her evaluation of the need for psychotherapy and/or medication and her review of the risks of medication in perinatal period, including teratogenicity, neonatal complications and neurodevelopmental teratogenicity.
This includes a review of the risks of untreated illness, so the patient can make an informed decision. She describes her role as a coordinator of care with the obstetrician, therapist and pediatrician.
<strong>Jennifer Moore, MD, IBCLC, FAAP Lactation Consultant and Pediatrician, Advanced Pediatrics in Norwalk, CT.</strong>
Dr. Moore has published and presented work on breastfeeding. She is the medical director of the Nightingales Breastfeeding Center and is a general pediatrician.
Dr. Moore will describe the mental health aspects of becoming a mother. She will present the concept of the Breastfeeding Dyad. She will consider medical problems the mother and /or the newborn might face and inform us about studies that indicate that the mental health of the mother as well as bonding is improved by breastfeeding even in the setting of depression and anxiety.
Dr. Moore will describe the ways in which her pediatric practice uniquely addresses these issues from prenatal, perinatal and postnatal support and care of the dyad, optimizing the outcome for both mother and baby.
<strong>Sheryl McGavin, Licensed Craniosacral therapist, Owner/Clinician of Sheryl McGavin PLLC in Charlotte, NC. Ms. McGavin is also a former instructor at the Upledger Institute, FLA. </strong>
Sheryl McGavin will describe the supportive role of craniosacral therapy in the identification and treatment of perinatal mood disorders. Her presentation will include the anatomy and physiology of the craniosacral system and the treatment principles of craniosacral therapy including the somatoemotional release process.
Ms. McGavin will also address how craniosacral therapy can assist in the detection and treatment of perinatal mood disorders and the positive effects craniosacral therapy has on the function of the automatic nervous system.
<strong>Catherine Gallagher, CNM, Connecticut Childbirth and Women’s Center, Danbury, CT</strong>
Experiencing her own Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) with a midwife in attendance changed the course of her life and career! It’s that change that led her to Childbirth Education and consumer advocacy, becoming a doula, labor & delivery Nurse, and culminating in her career as midwife. She is fulfilled in her work, especially the kind she is able to practice at the CCWC. She believes that birth is a pivotal life experience, and takes pride in bringing together the emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of healthcare - so often lacking in today’s medical world.
Whether patients choose the hospital or the Birth Center, her commitment to caring for women and their families within a midwifery philosophy is unwavering. She also enjoys working within a full scope practice that offers prenatal care as well as Gynecology, and family planning.
Ms. Gallagher will review her work with women at the CCWC, highlighting postpartum work and support within a midwifery model. She will discuss opportunities to screen for postpartum mood disorders and clarify the development of practitioner networks.
<strong><a rel="nofollow" >Katherine'>http://www.posptartumprogress.com">Katherine Stone, founder and editor of Postpartum Progress Inc</a>.</strong>
Ms. Stone is an award-winning, nationally-recognized peer advocate for women who suffer mental illnesses related to pregnancy & childbirth. She is the creator & editor of Postpartum Progress, a non-profit focused on improving the health and well-being of women, children and families by improving access to quality services and support for women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Ms. Stone will discuss her work which includes going wherever necessary to speak about how common postpartum depression is and to combat the terrible stigma related to this illness. She has shared her struggle with Postpartum OCD openly and written about PPD as a contributing expert for BlogHer, the world's top community for and guide to blogs for and by women.
Ms. Stone has personally responded to thousands upon thousands of emails from suffering mothers, helping them to find professional help and encouraging them along their journey to recovery.
ACNM Credits, 7 DONA CEU's and 2 CERPS for IBCLC's, have been applied for.
The cost of the conference which includes lunch is $100 for Hudson Valley Birth Network Members and $125.00 for the general public.
To register, <a href="http://www.hudsonvalleybirthnetwork.com/conferences">click here. </a>
Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers, strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.
Barbara Katz-Rothman