Speaker: Susana Ku
Facilitator: Paola Wilkin
We are a growing transnational collective consisting of members from the Global South and North, including midwives, doulas, scholars, educators, and mothers calling for an expansion of midwifery research to include what we coin “Critical Midwifery Studies”. We envision a Critical Midwifery Studies that uses three principles: 1.engagement and collaboration with rapidly developing fields within critical theory, 2.midwifery-led, 3. self-critical (developing ways to implement critical theory into practice). Systemic injustice is a threat to sexual, reproductive, maternal, and newborn health, hence the application of the art and science of midwifery. The effects of this injustice are reflected in the high maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates in formerly colonized countries of the Global South, in marginalized communities of the Global North, and in underprivileged classes around the world. We aim for an open discussion about midwifery research, education, practice, policy, and regulations, that are largely White and Western-centric, using positivistic and universalist principles of biomedical research. Although we recognize the global struggle for legitimacy that midwives face as they work to make their models of care more accessible, this coincides with pressure to engage with dominant and dominating paradigms, using language and approaches that are valued by regimes of power.
Our presentation will include a summary of our experience launching the first bilingual summer school for Critical Midwifery Studies held on July 2022, with delegates around the world. We will explain how our collective planned this activity including principles of equity and accessibility https://tinyurl.com/yc55dbw6.
Recording: https://youtu.be/TKrSfdmC9nM
Speakers: Giyawati Yulilania Okinarum, Venny Vidayanti and Sri Hasta Mulyani
Facilitator: Rizka Setyani
Yogyakarta is a popular tourist destination in Indonesia, but lactation rooms in public facilities in tourist areas are currently difficult or nonexistent. The lack of lactation rooms and facilities will affect breastfeeding activities for mothers who spend their daily lives in public places. Researchers propose a solution in the form of an innovative portable public breastfeeding room. Its goal is to assess user satisfaction with the newly developed public lactation room facilities. The descriptive-analytic method is used in this study. A questionnaire is distributed to determine user satisfaction. Then proceed with the selection of participants based on the results of the questionnaire distribution. Purposive sampling of 122 respondents who were breastfeeding mothers according to the established criteria was used in this study. The color and design of the lactation room received the highest mean satisfaction score (4.92), while ventilation received the lowest (1.66). The Ruang Sehati Lactation Room is an innovation that was created in response to the needs of users, specifically tourists who are breastfeeding mothers in Yogyakarta City’s tourist area. This innovation is also a pilot that can be shown nationally, presenting an image of Jogja City as a mother- and child-friendly tourist destination.
Recording: https://youtu.be/1WLiv8AkX34
Speaker: Tracy Donegan
Facilitator: Portia Khanyile Shanduka
Abstract:
In recent years, the integration of light therapy into healthcare has emerged as a groundbreaking innovation. This novel approach, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM,Red Light Therapy, LLLT) harnesses the therapeutic potential of specific wavelengths of light (Red, Blue and Near Infrared) to accelerate wound healing, reduce the risk of infections and enhance overall well-being for mothers. The benefits of light therapy in postpartum care are multifaceted. PBM has been shown to alleviate acute pain by activating TGF-B1 and TRPV 1 in the cells promoting a more comfortable recovery without medication. The non-invasive, quick acting, harmless nature of light therapy makes it an important option for mothers seeking alternative methods to manage pain without relying solely on pharmaceutical interventions. Light therapy stimulates cellular repair and regeneration, expediting the healing of perineal tissues/cesarean incision, reducing inflammation and supports faster healing. This accelerates recovery from labor and birth contributing to a quicker return to normal functionality and comfort. PBM increases cellular energy (ATP) through the mitrochondria in our cells therefore reducing postpartum depletion. This abstract briefly explores the transformative potential of light therapy in postpartum care, emphasizing its holistic approach to recovery.
Recording: https://youtu.be/8K29SqDP4uc
