THURSDAY, JULY 21st

4:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Conference Registration Begins

5:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Exhibit Hall Opens

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall

7:15 pm – 8:15 pm

Volunteer Orientation

FRIDAY, JULY 22nd

7:00 am – 10:15 am

Conference Registration continues

7:00 am – 8:00 am

Continental Breakfast

8:15 am – 8:45 am

Welcome and Conference Opening

8:45 am – 9:45 am

GENERAL SESSION

Baby Boot Camp: Helping Parents Prepare for the Babymoon and the Early Weeks Postpartum
presented by Ann Douglas

• Describe the key challenges that first-time parents face in adjusting to life with a newborn.
• Identify the role of the birth and postpartum doula in helping to ease the complex transitions that new parents must make.
• List ten practical things new parents can do ahead of time in order to make life as stress-free as possible in their post-baby universe.

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

CONCURRENT SESSIONS (Choose one.)

101 - Everything You Need to Know About Latch On
presented by Marsha Walker

• Describe proper maternal and infant positioning for latch.
• Describe challenges to proper latching to the breast.

102 - Love Languages for the Labor Room
presented by Pamela Owen

• Discuss the benefits of emotional support for a woman in labor.
• Describe the five love languages.
• Describe how to educate the client and partner at the prenatal visit on benefits and use of love languages.
• Identify how to relate the love languages in the labor room.

103 - Telling Is Not Teaching
presented by Teri Shilling
(This session is required for Lamaze Workshop registrants.)

• Examine current trends in adult learning principles as adaptable to childbirth education and doula training.
• Highlight the importance of generational values on today’s learners.
• Experience learner based vs. teacher based techniques.

104 - A Multicultural Community Based Doula Program
presented by Jessica Atkins & Jennifer Shandley

• Understand ideology of the multi-cultural Family Center Community Doula Program (FCCDP).
• Explain method, procedure, and results of research within the FCCPD.
• Discuss cultural issues relevant to community-based doula services and areas identified for future research.

105 - What Other Societies Can Show Us About Childbirth
and Child Care
presented by John Kennell

• Recognize changes in childcare in the United States in the last century that may have exceeded the limits of adaptability of some children.
• Describe how long-standing management practices in childbirth and child care in another society may stimulate studies that improve outcomes and patient satisfaction. 
• Recognize how those who participate in the care and support of mothers and families (including scientists, professionals, International Health Services workers) usually gain more than they bring to another society or culture.

106 - The Blessingway Journey into Motherhood
presented by Barb Lucke

• Create an atmosphere of accessibility to blessingways, facilitating communication of value, necessity, and potential impact of this ceremony on our culture.
• Develop a plan to provide women with the inspiration, confidence, and know-how to create meaningful rituals for special life passages.
• Demonstrate the tremendous impact of energy and power created by women coming together with one shared intention.
  

^Top

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Buffet Lunch
Meet with others in your geographical area.
Tables will be labeled by Region.

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

GENERAL SESSION

Breastfeeding Politics
presented by Marsha Walker

• Discuss barriers to breastfeeding that are presented by infant formula manufacturers.
• Discuss formula additives with families to help them make informed decisions.

3:15 pm – 4:45 pm

CONCURRENT SESSIONS (Choose one.)

201 - Advocating for Breastfeeding
presented by Marsha Walker

• Discuss how to effectively advocate for breastfeeding.
• Describe breastfeeding initiatives at the state and federal level of the United States.

202 - Planning the Birth: Doula’s Guide to Enhancing Caregiver/Patient Communication
presented by Carol Lynch

• Review the research on the traditional birth plan and its effect on the childbirth experience.
• Discuss the changing nature of the caregiver/patient relationship.
• Clarify the rights and responsibilities of the pregnant patient as well as the caregiver.
• Identify a strategy to solicit “buy in” from the caregiver, improve communication between all parties of the birth team, and document the needs and preferences of the pregnant woman.

203 - When the Baby is OP
presented by Ann Tumblin
(This session is required for Lamaze Workshop registrants.)

• Discuss positions and activities to encourage the occiput posterior (OP) baby to rotate prior to the onset of labor.
• Demonstrate physical activities that a laboring woman can use to encourage the rotation of an OP baby.
• Describe comfort measures for a woman with back labor.

204 - Weaving a Tapestry from Fragile Threads to Sturdy Cloth:
The Art of Doula Care for Mothers Experiencing Postpartum
Mood Disorders
presented by Heidi Koss-Nobel

• Identify appropriate postpartum doula care.
• Identify your personal doula skills and style.
• Become more comfortable and confident in handling difficult and crisis situations.
• Learn to establish personal and professional boundaries.

205 - Kangaroo Care
presented by Marshall Klaus

• Describe the benefits of Kangaroo Care for the mother.
• Describe the benefits of Kangaroo Care for the premature infant.
• Describe the advantages of Kangaroo Care for the full-term infant.

206 - Teaching Update for Doula Trainers
(You must be a DONA-approved birth or postpartum Doula Trainer to attend this session.)
presented by Patricia Predmore & Jacqueline Kelleher

• Discuss DONA Education Committee recommendations for quality doula workshops.
• Brainstorm on trainer and workshop issues and develop action plans.
• Share teaching ideas for various doula workshop topics.

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

DONA International Membership Meeting

7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Sharing Circles – Come any time, share your stories and excitement, discuss challenges.

SATURDAY, JULY 23rd

7:00 am – 8:00 am

Continental Breakfast

7:30 am – 8:15 am

Conference Registration continues

8:15 am – 9:30 am

GENERAL SESSION

What’s New in Obstetric Anesthesia?
presented by William Camann

• Describe basic anatomy and differences between spinal, epidural, and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia.
• Understand the effects of obstetric anesthesia on the neonate.
• Identify common side effects of spinal and epidural anesthesia.
• Understand new trends in obstetric anesthesia for both labor and cesarean delivery.

10:15 am – 11:45 am

CONCURRENT SESSIONS (Choose one.)

301 - Current Controversies in Obstetric Anesthesia
presented by William Camann

• Understand the basic and more complex controversies in obstetric anesthesia.
• Describe basic research methodology, including common sources of bias, and how it may influence the results of published studies.
• Understand how to conduct studies on labor outcome and potential sources of bias.

302 - Beyond Nutrition and Health: What Can We Learn from Mothers’ Breastfeeding Stories?
presented by Barbara Behrman

• List ways in which the process of breastfeeding can empower women.
• List perinatal interventions that can have a negative impact on women’s breastfeeding experiences.
• Explain why the process of breastfeeding matters to women as much as the product of breast milk.

303 - Across the Kitchen Table: Providing Dynamic Childbirth Education One-on-One
presented by Teri Shilling

• Identify ways to prioritize learning needs for non-traditional childbirth classes.
• Examine ways to balance physical/emotional/cognitive educational objectives to increase confidence.
• Evaluate “out of the box” educational strategies as well as traditional resources.

304 - Supporting the Woman During Stressful Procedures
presented by Penny Simkin

• Explain how a doula helps a woman undergoing a breech version, hospitalization of the baby, home birth transfer, and others.
• Describe the doula’s role during tests for suspected problems with the fetus.
• Name some stressful procedures attended by doulas participating in the session.

305 - Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology
presented by Phyllis Klaus

• Identify the research that indicates the ability of the fetus to take in parental experience or stress.
• Describe the causes of stress and trauma that may disrupt the natural emotional or physical development and the resulting baby’s difficulties after birth.
• Learn how to elicit the parent’s unresolved issues to heal them and prevent the projection onto the fetus or infant.
• Discuss parental communication skills with the infant at the beginning of fetal life to alleviate or prevent trauma or stress from imprinting.

306 - Research is Alive in 2005:  Articles that Impact Doula Practice
presented by Jacqueline Kelleher and Patricia Predmore

• Discuss current journal articles regarding issues related to labor, birth and postpartum.
• Cite recent research findings which may impact doula practice.
• Name at least 3 resources for obtaining up-to-date information on birth and postpartum care practices.

11:45 am – 1:45 pm

Founders' Awards Lunch

1:45 pm – 2:45 pm

GENERAL SESSION

Intimate Partner Violence and Pregnancy: A Hidden Epidemic
presented by Daniel Sheridan

• Appreciate the high incidence of intimate partner violence during and immediately after pregnancy.
• Identify reliable and valid tools to screen for intimate partner violence.
• Use basic safety planning, lay interventions, and community-referral techniques to reduce risk of recurrent intimate partner violence.

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

CONCURRENT SESSION (Choose one.)

401 - Working with Challenging People
presented by Brenda Lane

• Describe three reasons why positive working relationships with others in the birthing room are beneficial.
• Explain three disadvantages to an “Us vs. Them” approach.
• Name five ways to work effectively with a challenging person.

402 - Controversies in Breastfeeding: Examining our Own Biases
presented by Dia Michels

• Explain the dichotomy of advice often given to new mothers.
• Explore the myths that surround breastfeeding and how they are treated differently than the controversies with other parenting issues.
• Describe how "playing the guilt card" gets healthcare professionals off the hook for providing guidance and accurate information about breastfeeding.

403 - Preparing the Family for the Emotional Changes of Parenthood
presented by Ann Tumblin
(This session is required for Lamaze Workshop registrants.)

• Discuss rationale for inclusion of preparation for parenthood information prenatally.
• Discuss strategies for developing Transition to Parenthood class.
• Demonstrate activities and work stations to prepare students for parenthood.
• Develop a personal plan to integrate teaching strategies into class series.

404 - Supporting the Woman with an Epidural
presented by Penny Simkin

• List evidence-based research findings on selected outcomes with epidural analgesia.
• Name ways to prevent or correct selected undesired effects of epidural analgesia.
• Explain common emotional stressors experienced by women with epidurals.
• Describe qualitative research findings of men before and after their laboring women receive an epidural.

405 - Birthing with Pride: Working With Lesbian and Bisexual Women
presented by Dorian Solot

• Suggest ways a doula can signify to prospective doula clients that she is comfortable working with lesbian and bisexual women.
• Explain issues unique to working with a mother’s female partner rather than a male partner.
• Describe heterosexism and homophobia that lesbian or bisexual women might encounter in a hospital, and ways a doula can help a woman or couple navigate.

406 - Dancing for Birth: How Doulas Can Use Dance to Assist Childbearing Women
presented by Stephanie Larson

• Discuss ways doulas can use dance to help their clients before, during, and after birth.
• Demonstrate and interactively instruct belly dance and African dance derived moves for birthing.
• Describe ways to facilitate optimal fetal positioning through dance.
• List the advantages of dancing for birth.

8:00 pm

Birth – a play with post show discussion
(This event is not included in the conference registration fee. Tickets may be purchased when registering for the conference.)

SUNDAY, JULY 24th

7:45 am – 8:30 am

Continental Breakfast

8:30 am – 9:45 am

GENERAL SESSION

Evidence, Policy, Procedure and Practice in the Debate Over Cesarean Sections, 2005
presented by Eugene Declercq

• Describe the trends in cesarean section over time in the U.S. and overseas.
• Explain the issues associated with the debate over elective primary cesareans.
• Explain the issues in the debate over the safety of vaginal births after cesareans.

10:00 am – 11:30 am

GENERAL SESSION

The Doula Backlash: Proven Benefits vs. Perceived Hindrance to Maternity Care
presented by Penny Simkin

• Describe examples of a backlash against doulas by medical professionals.
• Analyze causes of the backlash.
• Name ways to prevent a backlash or to reverse it.

11:30 am – 12:00 pm

Closing with Dona Nobis Pacem