Maternity & Newborn Care

Support mothers in the face of loss with actionable lactation guidance Pregnancy and baby loss affects approximately 25% of pregnancies. Despite its frequency, the experience remains profoundly challenging for those affected, making the need for support all the more important during difficult times. In the midst of pregnancy and baby loss, many grieving parents may be unsure of what options are available to them. From emotional support to practical decisions, the array of choices can feel overwhelming and unclear, especially lactation options which are not often shared within the healthcare environment. In this course, learn how to support those impacted by baby loss and gain practical skills for discussing lactation options. Understand the impact of baby loss, from lactation physiology to breast milk donation options At the beginning of this course, you’ll explore the intricate connections between baby loss and lactation to comprehend their profound impact on families. Then dive into key concepts of baby loss and lactation physiology while delving into practical aspects like milk donation and suppression choices. Guide mothers with compassion through sensitive discussions to find supportive lactation solutions In the second section of this course, you’ll trace the historical evolution of milk donation while exploring its significance and best practices in healthcare management. Discover the motivations behind milk donation, understand contraindications, and learn effective strategies for initiating conversations with caregivers and parents. Who is the course for? This course is designed for doctors, midwives, nurses, counsellors, psychologists and other health professionals working with recently bereaved parents. Nursing and medical students may also find this course beneficial for their studies.

Explore perinatal palliative care and its role in managing uncertainty Every year, thousands of families face the challenging reality of uncertain perinatal outcomes.   Join experts from the British Association of Perinatal Medicine, Sands, Bliss and the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to gain the knowledge and practical tools to support patients and their families. Understand the foundations of perinatal palliative care Begin this course with an overview of the challenges and uncertainties families and healthcare professionals face in early life care. You’ll be introduced to the BAPM framework, which offers an integrated approach to palliative care, emphasising parent support and care planning. Develop effective communication with families Then, discuss how to initiate and guide sensitive conversations with parents who are facing heartbreaking decisions. You’ll also discover best practices for writing letters and advance care plans (ACP) to ensure parents are empowered to make informed choices for their baby. Apply collaborative approaches to managing uncertainty Next, you’ll gain valuable skills in handling uncertainty through collaborative, multi-disciplinary team (MDT) strategies. You’ll hear from parents experiencing reproductive loss and from neonatologists and other specialists about how they address uncertainty in their practice and work together to provide the best care possible. Support families through end-of-life care and loss This course concludes with a focus on providing holistic end-of-life care, supporting families through the loss of a baby, and managing the emotional challenges of bereavement. You’ll explore the role of specialist palliative care teams, post-mortem discussions, cultural diversity, and bereavement care while emphasising compassionate leadership during this emotional journey. What will you achieve? By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to... Demonstrate an understanding of the experiences of parents with a baby who has an uncertain future and may have a short life before or after birth. Reflect on and listen to parents' experiences of perinatal palliative care. Assess existing resources, including the British Association for Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) framework, as well as other guidelines and learning materials for perinatal palliative care, complex decision-making, parallel planning and end-of-life care. Explore the challenges faced by parents and healthcare professionals when reaching a consensus on the optimal care pathways for babies who have an uncertain future. Identify how experienced healthcare professionals approach complex cases, including how they communicate with parents and the wider family. Who is the course for? This course is for healthcare professionals who support parents during challenging moments in pregnancy and neonatal care. Whether you’re a doctor, midwife, nurse, or mental health professional, you’ll gain valuable skills to navigate uncertainty and provide compassionate care. It’s also perfect for students interested in perinatal care.

Give real support to bereaved parents after pregnancy or neonatal loss Pregnancy loss and neonatal death are always devastating. When they occur in a multiple pregnancy, parents can be especially overwhelmed by the complex cluster of feelings that is evoked. This course by The Butterfly Project will provide in-depth guidance into what parents are going through, how to provide bereavement support, and how to celebrate each life in a multiple pregnancy. Gain insight into experiences following multiple pregnancy loss On this course, you’ll get to explore the unique parental experiences of reproductive loss in a multiple pregnancy and the key challenges that arise in hospital wards and after discharge. Unpack bereavement support fundamentals for every stage The learning materials and guidelines in this course were developed in partnership with parents, so you can trust their effectiveness. From dealing with the immediate aftermath of the loss to encouraging parents to create memories of the life they’re mourning, you’ll feel more confident in every clinical setting. Learn bereavement support with an award-winning team The Butterfly Project is a group of academics, doctors, and nurses dedicated to working with parents following neonatal death or pregnancy loss. Their latest research focuses on such losses experienced in multiple pregnancies. With unparalleled parental interviews and accounts, they deliver an exceptional course in bereavement support during and after these tragic events. What topics will you cover? Background to a) multiple pregnancy b) stillbirth, miscarriage and neonatal death Feelings and experiences of parents suffering reproductive loss in the context of multiple pregnancy Complexity of emotions associated with loss of a co-twin, and the lifelong challenges Good practice for health professionals in communication and parental support Bereavement support, and end-of-care; memory making What will you achieve? By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to... Demonstrate understanding into the experiences of families following multiple pregnancy loss.   Assess various high-quality learning materials and guidelines surrounding bereavement support.   Explore the challenges that arise in hospital wards and after discharge.   Reflect on the feelings, experiences and complexity of emotions of parents suffering reproductive loss in the context of multiple pregnancy. Who is the course for? This course is designed for health professionals working with expecting or recently-bereaved multiple pregnancy parents in any capacity. Doctors, midwives, nurses, counsellors, and psychologists will all find it valuable.