Start an OB Rehab Program in the Hospital after Birth

Overview

Regardless of place or method of delivery, individuals may experience unexpected birth outcomes that result in short- and long-term impairments affecting their function and ability to safely care for themselves and their newborn.

This innovative course prepares rehabilitation professionals to provide early intervention services that align with global efforts to reduce maternal morbidity and improve the quality of maternal care in hospitals, birth centers, and at home.

Collaboration among all disciplines is essential to optimize the quality of maternal care, enhance postpartum recovery, and maximize safety with post-delivery mobility and ADLs (infant-care, household, occupational, and recreational).

Participants will be equipped with strategies to implement obstetric rehab services as a standard of care for individuals during high-risk pregnancy admission and immediately after delivery within their facilities and at home within the first 6 weeks after birth.

Learning Objectives

By completing this online course, participants will be able to:

• Apply interventions to address specific concerns impacting physical and mental health in the high-risk pregnancy populations who have an extended hospital length of stay.
• Screen patients according to risk factors to reduce postpartum morbidity including cardiovascular impairments, pelvic floor dysfunction, cesarean wound complications, and hospital readmissions.
• Educate patients on how to self-manage impairments, pelvic floor dysfunction, cesarean wound complications, and hospital readmissions.
• Facilitate patients’ understanding of the impact of pregnancy and the birthing process of each bodily system to optimize their 4th trimester recovery and return to activity.
• Evaluate a patient within 24-48 hours of birth to improve self-efficacy during the recovery process.
  Apply specific techniques to address postpartum pelvic and back pain, symphysis pubis dysfunction, diastasis recti, and cesarean wound healing.
• Educate patients on newborn feeding positions, body mechanics for newborn care, energy conservation, and modifications to ADLs to enhance postpartum function with activity
• Successfully support families and optimize mental and physical healing after birth trauma and perinatal loss
   

Audience

This online course is for:

• Occupational Therapists and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Physiotherapists / Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants
• Doulas, Birth Workers, and Health / Wellness Professionals
• OB Providers, Midwives, and Nurses