Prioritizing maternal health in Smithfield and Isle of Wight County.
Local Events and Meetings
All course offerings are FREE to attend. We do not require you to RSVP for these events but would appreciate if you are able to so we may have a better idea regarding anticipated attendance. Please RSVP through our Facebook page.
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Presently, Isle of Wight County is what would be considered a "care desert" for maternal and women's health. In essence, we simply lack ready access to providers and to the resources, both educational and material, common and necessary for women after having children. We're here to change that. Our plan is to offer monthly discussion and education about topics universally relevant to moms and expecting mothers. Our aim is to increase maternal healthcare literacy and awareness so that you can better advocate for yourself and your family.
Check out below to find out more information regarding our past and upcoming events!
08
Saturday, August 12, 2023
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Come say hello to us and meet the members of our Medical Advisory Board at the Smithfield Farmer's Market Saturday, August 12th from 9:00 AM - 1:00 AM as we celebrate National Breastfeeding Awareness Month!
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Monday, October 2, 2023
5:45 - 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Blackwater Regional Library - Smithfield
TOPIC: Infant/Child CPR Education
INSTRUCTOR: Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad
RSVP: Check out our Facebook page to RSVP and "Follow" to keep up-to-date with our future educational offerings!
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Please sign up to be a part of our mailing list so that you may be able to be one of the first to find out!
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Monday, November 13, 2023
5:45 - 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Blackwater Regional Library - Smithfield​
TOPIC: What are PMADs? Talking about Postpartum Depression and More
INSTRUCTOR: Kristen Miller, IBCLC, PMH-C (Postpartum Support Virginia)
RSVP: Check out our Facebook page to RSVP and "Follow" to keep up-to-date with our future educational offerings!
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Description: In this presentation, Kristen will be talking about the #1 complication of pregnancy & childbirth - PMADs (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders). Topics include: postpartum depression, predictors & risk factors, signs & symptoms, how to protect your mental health and resources available if you need help.
About the Presenter: Kristen is an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and PMH-C (Perinatal Mental Health Specialist). She has been serving perinatal families for the past 15 years in various capacities including birth doula, childbirth educator, and lactation support. She is passionate about helping families with their perinatal mental health journey and their personal infant feeding goals. In her spare time, she enjoys watching football and basketball, hiking, reading good historical fiction, and days spent at the beach. She lives in Carrollton with her husband and 4 homeschooled boys.
12
Monday, December 11, 2023
5:45 - 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Blackwater Regional Library - Smithfield​
TOPIC: Family Planning Options
PRESENTER: Nichole Wardlaw, CNM (Jamii Birth & Wellness Services)
Description: Ever wanted to understand more what your birth control options are? Ever wanted to understand how these birth control methods work and what the benefit and risk profile is associated with each option?
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In this presentation, Nichole Wardlaw, CNM will be providing an objective, evidence-based presentation regarding the different methods of birth control, how they work and the benefits and/or potential risk of each option. Methods covered to include, but not limited to, oral contraceptives, implantable options and natural family planning. This presentation will be presented based upon objective, evidence-based information and will not represent any personal, religious or political biases. The goal of this conversation is to educate you so that you may be able to have a well-educated conversation with your provider regarding your options and what is best for your individual needs.
This presentation is intended for all women of reproductive age, with this topic not unique to only those women who are recently postpartum.
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About the Presenter:
Nichole’s professional career in midwifery has spanned over 15 years and includes health education consultancy, full scope midwifery services in private, public and military facilities, and clinical faculty advisory.
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Nichole earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina, completing her studies in 2005. Her desire to listen to women was the motivation that led her to midwifery, a specialty she has practiced since 2005. Seeing herself as a partner in her patients’ health care, Nichole is passionate about working with women, individuals, and families to ensure safe and informed care. Her areas of expertise include sexually transmitted disease education/prevention and teen pregnancy, with a special interest in transgender care.
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Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Nichole loves coastal living. She is the mother of two daughters and has one fur baby as well. In her free time, she enjoys travel, knitting and exploring different cultures.
01
Monday, January 8, 2024
5:45 - 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Blackwater Regional Library - Smithfield​
TOPIC: Breastfeeding and Mental Health: Balancing Psychological Wellbeing and Nursing Goals
PRESENTER: Kathleen Crispens, IBCLC (Boob Fairy Lactation)
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Description: In this presentation, we will take a deeper look into how breastfeeding can reduce the risk of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS). On the opposite end of the spectrum, we will look at how difficulties in breastfeeding can promote the development of PMADs and also give information about the lesser-known condition, D-MER (Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex). We will also look at resource options for families facing PMADs that are safe for breastfeeding.
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About the Presenter: Kathleen is an IBCLC and has been a practicing lactation professional for the last 9 years. She got her start in the WIC clinic where she taught breastfeeding classes and assisted families in navigating various nursing challenges. WIC gave Kathleen the opportunity to meet families from all over the world and the ability to provide lactation care to underserved populations. After her IBCLC certification, Kathleen began her time working in the Mother/Baby Unit and NICU at Riverside Regional Medical Center. In 2022, the opportunity came about to begin providing lactation care via telehealth through an online-based position. When the telehealth contract ended in July 2023, Kathleen began her private practice, Boob Fairy Lactation. She does local home visits and telehealth for clients nationwide.
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When she is not doing something lactation-related, she is navigating the ever-changing life of being a first responder spouse and is an Uber driver for her two kids. She is also a retired band nerd turned band parent and volunteers with Southern States Mastiff Rescue.
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02
Monday, February 12, 2024
5:45 - 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Blackwater Regional Library - Smithfield​
TOPIC: Understanding Your Options for Pregnancy and Birth
PRESENTER: Sheé Lee Rock, Doula, CBE (Rock That Birth Education & Birth Doula Services)
RSVP: Check out our Facebook page to RSVP and "Follow" to keep up-to-date with our future educational offerings!
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Description: Making decisions for yourself and your baby can feel overwhelming. The options for labor, birth & parenting are endless. During this presentation, your confidence will increase as you learn your provider options, what your rights are, how to obtain true medical consent, and how to make choices that align with your personal ideals and your desires.
03
Monday, March 11, 2024
5:45 - 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Blackwater Regional Library - Smithfield​
TOPIC: An Introduction to FEAST Virginia
RSVP: Check out our Facebook page to RSVP and "Follow" to keep up-to-date with our future educational offerings!
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Description: FEAST Virginia is an independent nonprofit organization inspired by the original FEAST organization based in Los Angeles. FEAST was created to help families struggling with the effects of living in a broken food system live healthier, more nourishing lives. We do that by providing a comprehensive wellness program that combines food education, access to healthy foods, and group support, together. FEAST Virginia is a licensed partner and trained to implement FEAST's proven Wellness Program.
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The FEAST Health & Wellness program is offered in 5 week sessions that are two hours each week.
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​The first hour of each session is Food Education that covers topics like the food system, healthy eating on a budget, reading food labels and the Big Three food culprits – Sugar, Salt and Fat. A healthy budget friendly recipe is presented and sampled.
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The second hour is a sharing circle which provides a forum for open, honest, confidential and safe conversation about what is going on in your world around food, family, health and self-esteem.
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Participants go home with a grocery gift card each week along with a copy of the featured recipe.
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Most importantly, our program is completely free for all participants.
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Monday, April 8, 2024
5:45 - 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Blackwater Regional Library - Smithfield​
TOPIC: Pelvic Floor 101
PRESENTER: Victoria Bikkers, PT, DPT, OCS (Smithfield Physical Therapy Specialists)
RSVP: Check out our Facebook page to RSVP and "Follow" to keep up-to-date with our future educational offerings!
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Description: In this presentation we will go over the basic anatomy of the pelvis and the muscles which compose the pelvic floor and review the functions of the pelvic floor and why it is important. Additionally, we will go over how to support pelvic floor and perineum health throughout the lifespan and ways to recognize potential signs of dysfunction.
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*This free educational presentation is intended for those with female anatomy with the information to be presented intended for ALL WOMEN, with this topic not unique to only those women who are pregnant or recently postpartum.
