PLIDA is pleased to announce the 2022 International Perinatal Bereavement Conference preconference speakers! 

8:00AM - 9:15AM: MORNING OPENING PLENARY SESSION

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS IN BLACK MOTHERS: THE INTERCONNECTION OF SYSTEMIC RACISM WITH A CUMULATIVE LEGACY OF LOSS AND TRAUMA" (TERRI MAJOR-KINCADE MD)

Dr. Major Kincade is opening the 22nd International Perinatal Bereavement Conference for a second time, the first time in conference history that a speaker has been invited to offer opening plenaries at back-to-back conferences. As a neonatologist, author, expert in health care for African Americans, teacher, board advisor, and widely known speaker, she will support us as we come through the only pandemic in our lifetimes. The frequency of post-traumatic distress in new mothers, especially mothers of color, is a hidden epidemic in childbearing women. This talk is intended to help those who provide health care to Black women to do so with a renewed sense of where we fall short. Only by coming to understand what these are, will we be able to know what questions to ask, how to ask them, and how to listen to responses.

9:30AM -12:30PM: PRECONFERENCE SESSIONS #1

ETHICS & PERINATAL PALLIATIVE CARE: BRIAN S. CARTER, MD
Dealing with complicated pregnancies and fetal diagnoses, parental stress, and decision making under circumstances of uncertainty may all bring matters of ethical import to light for interdisciplinary clinicians in perinatal-neonatal palliative care. This session will review ethical principles, virtues, values, and other approaches to be used in resolving ethical dilemmas in perinatal-neonatal palliative care.

A PROPOSED MODEL OF PROGRAMMATIC BEREAVEMENT OUTREACH FOLLOWING INTRAUTERINE AND NEONATAL DEATH: JOANNA C.M. COLE, PHD, PMH-C AND JOY N. MACDONALD, BSN, RN
There are no current clinical standards for bereavement outreach following an intrauterine or neonatal death within most fetal care centers or hospital institutions. This presentation will ask audience members to share grief resources to aid in clinical practice. Case studies and audience discussion will further describe how a fetal care center’s bereavement program developed systematic implementation of a standardized protocol to track perinatal loss and provide consistent outreach and resources for grieving women and families.

A DEEP DIVE INTO CULTURAL HUMILITY WITH TRANSGENDER AND NON-BINARY INDIVIDUALS: KAITLYN O’DONNELL, MSW, LCSW
For transgender and non-binary individuals, care settings hold a history of marginalization, discrimination, and mistreatment. When facing a pregnancy or infant loss, the vulnerability faced by this population is compounded. Through the pairing of didactic lecture on foundational knowledge and interactive learning activities, professionals will gain the ability to improve clinical care and environments, while increasing confidence in practice with this population. Interactive activities will include practice utilizing neutral pronouns, discussion of case studies, and examination of strategies to mitigate the unique barriers faced by transgender and non-binary individuals.

MEMORY MAKING AND PLANNING GROUP ACTIVITIES: ROSEMARY CARLSON, BS
This workshop will focus on helping families commemorate and remember their baby in tangible ways. The first part will be a presentation of ways to provide unique mementos for the entire family unit at the time of the loss, including siblings and grandparents. During the second part, Carlson will share her experience and ideas for planning and hosting memorial and other events for support groups and in other group settings. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on activity at the end of the session.

SUPPORTING BEREAVED PARENTS EXPERIENCING PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS: SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH UPDATES, AND CARING FOR THE BEREAVED: KATHLEEN MASSMANN, LPCC, MS, CPLC
In this session, Kathleen Massmann will give an overview of types of losses, medical best practices, and decision making following a life-limiting or life-ending prenatal diagnosis. Participants will develop an understanding of the unique grief surrounding pregnancy and infant loss as well as the implications of Prolonged Grief Disorder. Kathleen Massmann will also share resources, including in person and virtual support, that exist for bereaved families. 

2:00PM - 5:00PM: PRECONFERENCE SESSIONS #2

PERINATAL LOSS IN THE AA COMMUNITY AND THE ROADMAP TO HEALING A LEGACY OF LOSS: TERRI MAJOR KINCADE, MD AND KILEY HANISH, OTD, OTR/L
Unless we are familiar with the route from previous experience, trips require roadmaps, now usually offered to us via satellite on our smart devices or in our cars. The roadmap presented by Drs. Major Kincade and Hanish serves a valuable purpose in our responses to African American families and their pain after childbearing losses. Their three-pronged approach--synopsis of the problem, the real story, and solutions--taken together form the map's elements, necessary for clarity in traveling what may be a brand-new path. Examples include how policies are worded and enacted, how staffing is assigned, and how systemic bias can be identified.

THE WHO, WHAT, AND HOW OF ENSURING QUALITY PERINATAL BEREAVEMENT CARE IN AN ORGANIZATION: MARY BETH HENSEL, MBA
Over the past decades, perinatal bereavement in health care has become an easily understood domain. Yet questions about how to establish and maintain such care remain relevant to those working to develop quality programs and services. This practical, evidence-based presentation includes how to build on and use change as a defining strategy as well as honing leadership thinking and skills. The theory of Guided Participation in Clinical Practice will create a common language and process for learning while demonstrating its fundamental role in program sustainability.

RECOGNIZING MISCARRIAGE THROUGH STANDARDIZED RESPECTFUL DISPOSITION PRACTICE AND INCLUSIVE RITUAL: ANN TYNDALL, MDIV, BCC, CPLC
Research shows that 75% of women who experience a miscarriage view it as the loss of a baby, yet not all healthcare systems have a way of respectfully disposing of miscarriage remains. This workshop highlights Resolve Through Sharing’s respectful disposition practice at Gundersen Health System and references its annual burial as an example of inclusive ritual. Considerations for establishing hospital-based respectful disposition, including data gathering and crafting institutional policies and standards of practice, will be discussed. Working in small groups, participants will explore the challenges and possibilities for creating a respectful, broadly inclusive ritual.

PERINATAL MOOD AND ANXIETY DISORDERS: AN OVERVIEW: BIRDIE GUNYON MEYER, RN, MA, PMH-C
This preconference session will cover the many faces of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), signs and symptoms, and risk factors. Prevalence, screening tools and assessment, treatment options, and resources will also be discussed.

SUPPORT THROUGH COMMUNITY: A PERINATAL & INFANT LOSS SUPPORT MEETING WORKSHOP: CAROL MCMURRICH, EDM AND VICKI CULLING, BA, MA, PHD
In this highly interactive workshop, participants will explore different styles of support groups and break down the different practical components of successful support meetings, including in-person and virtual. Participants will be introduced to and try themselves the elements that make up successful support meetings such as strong, safe introductions; clear, trauma-informed guidelines; handling challenges during discussion; and closing the meeting in a way that promotes continuing communication and community. After experimenting with different methods, participants will reflect on the different styles and approaches to support meeting facilitation and envision models that would best work within their own communities.