Speakers: Eunice Iluobe Akhigbe and Ridwan Abdusalam
Facilitator: Linda Wylie
Neonatal jaundice is a common but potentially serious condition caused by elevated bilirubin levels, which, if left untreated, can lead to kernicterus, an irreversible neurological disorder. While advances in neonatal care have improved management, myths and misconceptions continue to delay timely healthcare-seeking behavior, particularly in underserved communities.
This study explores the impact of cultural beliefs on neonatal jaundice management, emphasizing the critical role of midwives in community education, early diagnosis, and timely medical intervention. A review of clinical data, community health reports, and maternal health education programs highlights key misconceptions, including: The belief that jaundice is harmless and does not require medical attention. The misconception that sunlight exposure alone can cure jaundice, delaying hospital visits. Cultural remedies discouraging breastfeeding, leading to dehydration and worsening hyperbilirubinemia.
To combat these challenges, this study recommends:
- Community education campaigns to promote awareness of neonatal jaundice risks and medical care.
- Midwife training and engagement to strengthen their role in addressing myths and guiding caregivers.
- Integration of traditional and medical practices through collaboration with community leaders.
- Improved access to phototherapy and neonatal care, especially in rural areas.
- Mother-to-mother peer support networks, such as the Wellbeing Foundation Mamacare WhatsApp groups.
- Policy advocacy for neonatal jaundice screening programs at birth and early postnatal visits.
By addressing misconceptions through midwife-led education and advocacy, this approach enhances early intervention, reduces neonatal complications, and improves health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Speaker: Cindy Farley, Katie Booan and Chastity Burchuk
Facilitator: Caroline Maringa (Nyambura)
Ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie, is an unusually short, thickened, or tight band of tissue tethering the tongue and restricting its movement. It is estimated to affect 4-10% of newborns. In the newborn period, it can be associated with breastfeeding difficulties, often diagnosed when nipple pain develops during nursing. Longer term consequences can include eating and speech problems. Other oral structures can be affected by tight tissues, such as cheeks and lips, contributing to limited oral range of motion.
Ankyloglossia occurs on a continuum from mild to severe, and therefore, management options vary. Tincture of time and instruction on latch and positioning during breastfeeding can be all that is needed for the mildest cases. Other options can include physical therapy and massage to the oral structures of the infant. Frenulectomy is the surgical release of the tight tissue and is accomplished with a small incision. There has been an increase in the diagnosis of ankyloglossia and frenulectomy, raising concerns regarding overdiagnosis and unnecessary surgery.
Midwives are intimately involved in the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding and the promotion of maternal and infant health, particularly in the early weeks after birth. This presentation will review diagnostic criteria and the latest evidence regarding ankyloglossia and will equip the midwife with assessment skills and management options to offer the parents of the infant with ankyloglossia. This is the 10th Annual Georgetown Student Cafe presented by midwife students at Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States.
Speaker: Judith Mercer
Facilitator: Ally Anderson
This presentation will explain how sustained umbilical cord circulation from placental transfusion after birth facilitates a large auto-transfusion from the placenta to the infant that holds potential for saving babies lives. This transfer of blood provides an innate force within the newborn’s body enhancing blood flow and perfusion, essential for normal growth, development, and regeneration. High progesterone levels, prime the body to receive blood at this time. Enhanced blood volume causes high pulmonary artery pressure for approximately the first 10 post-birth hours likely driving maximum perfusion throughout the whole body. The enhanced blood volume floods the newborn’s brainstem and other organs, prevents hypovolemia as well as subtle or overt ischemia, and helps the newborn regain homeostasis after the stress of birth.
This presentation provides evidence for each facet, explains how they work together to ensure newborn health, and will discuss the high cost of immediate (ICC) or early cord clamping (ECC).
Speaker: Yvonne Meyer
Facilitator: Celine Lemay
Sages-femmes dans certaines publications. C’est le cas pour l’inscription de notre activité professionnelle au patrimoine immatériel UNESCO où, dans l’annonce en français, le mot sage-femme est absent du titre. Comment sont présentées les sages-femmes ailleurs ? Neuf documents ont été repérés qui ont pour titre l’art, les soins, la pratique, les sciences ou la profession de sage-femme. Les résumés de ces documents seront présentés, ainsi que l’analyse réalisée, basée sur les critères de soins centrés sur le patient (Rycroft-Maloine, 2004). Les résultats montrent que toutes ces formulations sont polysémiques et qu’elles n’ont pas exactement la même portée. Par contre, toutes présentent haut et fort les sages-femmes et ce qui les caractérise. Si UNESCO avait titré « Les soins de sage-femme : connaissances, savoir-faire et pratiques », les sages-femmes seraient visibles partout dans le monde francophone.
The theme of the intervention is motivated by a regrettable problem of visibility of midwives in certain publications. This is the case for the inclusion of our professional activity in UNESCO’s intangible heritage list, where, in the French announcement, the word sage-femme is absent from the title. How are midwives presented elsewhere? Nine documents have been identified that deal with the art, care, practice, science or profession of midwifery. Summaries of these documents will be presented, along with the analysis carried out, based on the criteria of patient-centred care (Rycroft-Maloine, 2004). The results show that all these formulations are polysemous and do not have exactly the same scope. However, they all make a strong case for midwives and what characterises them. If UNESCO had published the title « Les soins de sage-femme: connaissances, savoir-faire et pratiques » (‘Midwifery: knowledge, skills and practices’), midwives would be visible throughout the French-speaking world.
Check time in your location https://bit.ly/VIDM25-closing-session
