The IPBC Speaker lineup is out!

PLENARY SPEAKERS

BALANCING COMPASSION: THE INTERSECTION OF RESPECTFUL MATERNITY CARE AND PERINATAL BEREAVEMENT: NATASHA NURSE-CLARKE, PHD, RN, FAAN
This thought-provoking plenary presentation will delve into the critical aspects of perinatal bereavement care, rooted in the 12 domains of Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) as identified by Shakibazadeh et al. in 2017. This session offers a comprehensive overview of how these domains can be seamlessly integrated to provide compassionate, dignified, and person-centered care for individuals and families navigating the painful journey of perinatal loss. Discover practical examples that showcase successful strategies as well as areas where challenges may arise, deepening your understanding of the profound impact of empathetic care during such sensitive moments. Additionally, we'll delve into the application of Guided Participation theory for teaching and Swanson's caring theory for bedside care, while highlighting exemplary practices grounded in these theories. This presentation promises to provide valuable insights into achieving respectful perinatal bereavement care, offering solace and support to those facing these difficult circumstances.

CREATING A MILIEU OF MATTERING: BETTY DAVIES, RN, BSCN, MN, PHD
Betty Davies says we learn best—and change—from hearing stories that strike a chord within us and that stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. What has sustained her through the years is to make a terrible experience for ill children and their families as good as it can be or at least, not to make it any worse. During this plenary presentation, she will recount the evolution of her work with families and children of all cultures and her experiences with palliative care.

HELP US UNDERSTAND...ADVANCE CARE PLANNING BETWEEN FAMILIES, PERINATAL PALLIATIVE CARE, AND NEONATAL CARE TEAMS: NATALIA HENNER, MD AND GRACE KNOWLES, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, CHPPN
This plenary session will discuss communication of nuanced birth plans for both maternal and neonatal care teams in the case of a life-limiting diagnosis when parents want more than hospice but some limits on medical care. Henner and Knowles will describe the full scope of perinatal palliative care support so the attendees will develop competence in drafting birth plans to support infants both in hospice and concurrent care pathways.

WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS: THE IMPACT OF TRAUMATIC CHILDBIRTH: CHERYL TATANO BECK, DNSC, CNM, FAAN
Up to 44% of women have experienced a traumatic childbirth. When specifically focusing on posttraumatic stress in women with a pregnancy loss as the traumatic birth, up to 45% of women reported experiencing moderate to severe posttraumatic stress symptoms. In this workshop the essential components of a traumatic birth, risk factors for developing PTSD, and the long-term impact of a traumatic childbirth on women and their families are covered. The presentation ends on a positive note with a discussion of posttraumatic growth in women who have experienced birth trauma and pregnancy loss.

CRADLE TO GRAVE: PERINATAL BEREAVEMENT RITUALS AND PRACTICES ACROSS U.S. CULTURES: ERIN DENNEY-KOELSCH MD
Death rituals are a universal feature of every human culture but fetal and infant death is often underestimated or ignored. In an ethnographic study of perinatal bereavement rituals across U.S. cultures, we will explore how parents from many cultural and religious backgrounds understand, grieve and process perinatal loss through stories and photos.  We will offer guidance for interdisciplinary care team members in co-creating rituals and keepsakes with families surrounding perinatal loss.

TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON: HONORING OUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEYS: KATHIE KOBLER, PHD, APRN, PCNS-BC, CHPPN, FPCN, FAAN
Our work of caring for others unfolds in an ongoing rhythm of giving forth and drawing in, of holding close and letting go, mirroring the ever-shifting seasons. This experiential closing session will provide participants the opportunity to pause, reground, and connect on their professional journeys using season-focused reflection and ritual.

PRECONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Session #1

MEMORY MAKING AND PLANNING GROUP ACTIVITIES: ROSEMARY CARLSON, BS
This preconference presentation focuses on creative ways to honor and memorialize babies at the time of the loss, no matter the gestation of the pregnancy. Attendees will learn how to create keepsakes not only for the parents, but also grandparents and siblings. Carlson and King will share ideas for hosting meaningful memorial events as well as provide an opportunity to participate in a hands on activity you can take back to the families you serve.

LIVING IN A SNOW GLOBE OF REALITY - EXPLORING ISOLATION AND GROUNDING IN TIMES OF DEEP GRIEF - WRITING/JOURNALING ALANNA KNOBBEN, B.MGT.
Participants will gain a deeper awareness of isolation in grief and improved communication skills when working across teams supporting perinatal loss. Knobben will offer insights and skills for discussing experiences of isolation and reconnection after a terminal diagnosis or loss of a child. 

SUPPORTING BEREAVED PARENTS EXPERIENCING PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS: SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH UPDATES, AND CARING FOR THE BEREAVED: KATHLEEN MASSMAN, PHD, LPCC
Very little is conveyed to providers in the specialty area of perinatal loss psychology which requires specific and unique training and education. This presentation will introduce these skills and allow attendees to better understand the challenges that face parents experiencing pregnancy and infant loss. Participants will gain a change in skillset, networking ability and resources identification.

THE JOURNEY PROGRAM: TRAUMA, GRIEF, AND LOSS. SUPPORTIVE CARE ACROSS SERVICE LINES AND INSTITUTIONS. BUILDING HOPE AND RESILIENCE THROUGH INTERDISCIPLINARY WELLNESS THERAPIES: MARQIN COOK MA-ATR, TORI CHARLES MA, ATR-P, SANDRA URIBE RN, BSN, TAMARA THRASHER, MS, ALEXANDRA PATCH RN, BSN
The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step… Lao Tzo
The Journey Program provides support across service lines to women with an unexpected and or unanticipated pregnancy course. The interdisciplinary Journey Program aims to foster hope, resilience and coping skills for the Fetal Center, antepartum and NICU populations. The program model incorporates evidence-based modalities including art therapy, music therapy, mind-body interventions and informal peer support that help attenuate trauma, grief and loss, stress, anxiety, and isolation. Building community with each other and forming trusting relationships with the healthcare team.

REMEMBRANCE PHOTOGRAPHY AS A BEST PRACTICE IN PERINATAL LOSS COMMUNITIES: MACKENZIE MAHON, MDIV, MNA
Bereavement photography is increasingly becoming proven as a best practice for healthcare providers that deal with perinatal loss, but many providers are unsure how to offer photography and are uncomfortable and/or unskilled in carrying out the task of taking photos. This preconference session will address those issues.

CARING FOR THE FAMILY AFTER MATERNAL DEATH-ENDURING LOSS BEYOND THE WOMB: TERRI MAJOR-KINCADE MD, MPH, FAAP
The COVID-19 Pandemic illuminated several pre-existing disparities. One of the most sobering statistics to emerge from the COVID-19 Pandemic was that of maternal mortality and morbidity. There has been little attention given to the unique bereavement needs of families experiencing maternal loss which may be further complicated by simultaneous neonatal loss. In this session the speaker aims to summarize trends related to maternal loss and highlight the unique bereavement needs of families impacted by maternal loss.

Session #2

CONTINUING THE CONNECTIONS: STORYTELLING AND WRITING TO STRENGTHEN THE BONDS OF ATTACHMENT AFTER PREGNANCY LOSS OR INFANT DEATH: LINDSEY HENKE MSW, LICSW
This preconference session discusses and teaches participants how combining the continued bonds theory with writing and storytelling narrative therapy techniques can increase the connection and attachment bereaved parents have to their deceased baby, resulting in a decrease in negative grief experiences while increasing self-care activities to build positive grieving experiences.

THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES TO WORKING WITH PERINATAL LOSS CLIENTS: A GROUNDED THEORY STUDY: HEATHER OLIVIER, Ph.D., LPC, PMH-C, CCTP, NCC
Due to the life-long impact of losing a child, bereaved parents incur isolation for prolonged grief responses that fall outside the bounds of cultural grief norms. Therapeutic interventions that do not address the multifaceted impact of perinatal loss pose the risk of reenacting cultural norming processes and could possibly cause more harm to the client. Participants of this session will learn how to implement multidisciplinary, relational model for perinatal loss developed to address both trauma and grief.

STORIES AND THEMES OF CULTURE AND RELIGIOUS BEREAVEMENT RITUALS AND PRACTICES: ERIN DENNEY-KOELSCH MD, BRYAN JAN MD, KATHIE KOBLER, PHD, APRN, PCNS-BC, CHPPN, FPCN, FAAN, DARRYL OWENS, M.DIV., BCC, CT, CPLC, ANNA CALIX
This workshop will provide an overview of death rituals and practices across cultural and religious groups using case examples and discussion. The second half of the workshop will be spent on practical aspects of how to work with families in a culturally sensitive manner to co-create rituals and keepsakes surrounding perinatal loss.

HEALING IN COMMUNITY: CREATING TRAUMA-INFORMED SUPPORT GROUP ENVIRONMENTS: CAROL MCMURRICH, MA; VICKI CULLING, PHD
It is important that new support group facilitators are aware of trauma-informed, inclusive care for parents who have experienced the loss of a baby or child. Participants in this preconference workshop will learn about trauma-informed care, experience an interactive support group environment and have an opportunity to try different approaches to support group facilitation.

HELPFUL AND HEALING PERINATAL LOSS COMMUNICATION TOOLS FROM A PARENT-CLINICIAN PERSPECTIVE: CLAIRE CRAWFORD, PHD, LMSW, APHSW-C
In this presentation, Dr. Crawford will first share her personal interactions with providers following two pregnancy losses to provide an in-depth patient perspective. She will then combine her loss experiences with her expertise as a palliative care social worker, researcher, and expert communicator to provide practical communication tools for providers to use when serving parents who are experiencing or have experienced perinatal loss. These tools will include managing expectations as parents navigate their next steps after loss, examples of language to use and avoid, detailed information to include when offering treatment options. At the end of this session, participants will feel empowered to offer helpful and healing communication as they care for patients.

CONCURRENT SPEAKERS

Session #1

FINDING THEIR VOICE: BUILDING COMPETENCY IN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PERINATAL LOSS WITH CHILDREN THROUGH SCRIPTING: CATHERINE PELLETIER - MS, CCLS
Child development experts are often not available in the areas of the healthcare setting where perinatal loss care is provided. To address the problem and improve practice, this presentation focuses on a unique strategy called “scripting.” Created by a child life specialist, the scripts include developmental factors for the appropriate age group as well as common questions from children. Through the availability and practicing of scripting, learners will be able to better support families experiencing perinatal loss.

THE INTERSECTION OF PERINATAL PALLIATIVE CARE AND REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE: NATALIA HENNER - MD; JESSICA FRY, MD
Perinatal palliative care broadly addresses the needs of families coping with life-limiting fetal diagnoses. Palliative care supports decision-making across the spectrum of pre- and post-natal parental choices, which we argue includes decisions around continuation of pregnancy. Perinatal palliative care specialists play an important supportive role in framing that decision, advocating for abortion access in line with evolving legal standards, and caring for families through the birth of their infants when abortion restrictions preclude that preferred choice.

A FRAMEWORK FOR TRAUMA INFORMED CARE THROUGHOUT THE PERINATAL LOSS EXPERIENCE: SHANDEIGH BERRY - PH.D, MSN, RN
The adverse biopsychosocial outcomes associated with perinatal loss include a host of chronic conditions which burden not only the individual, but families, communities, and the healthcare system. Such adverse outcomes may be preventable with early and intentional trauma informed care interventions, yet healthcare professionals are often ill equipped to provide the holistic care parents require throughout the perinatal loss experience. This workshop will provide a framework with the tools, skills, and knowledge necessary to provide trauma informed care interventions to those experiencing perinatal loss.

FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY: CREATING SAFE SPACES FOR DIVERSE FAMILIES IN THE NICU: NATASHA NURSE-CLARKE, PHD, RN, FAAN
This concurrent presentation will focus on the essential principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In this session, we will explore the core components of perinatal bereavement care that embrace sensitivity, respect, and support for families experiencing the profound loss of their newborns. Learn how to recognize and honor diverse cultural and religious beliefs, address language barriers, promote equity in care, create a safe and inclusive NICU environment, offer personalized support, collaborate with community organizations, and ensure staff education in cultural sensitivity. This session will empower attendees to create a more compassionate, culturally sensitive, and inclusive environment for diverse families during their most challenging moments in the NICU.

IN THE TRENCHES: WHAT TO SAY WHEN THE REPRODUCTIVE STORY GOES AWRY: KENDRA SCHAA - SCM, LGC; JANET JAFFE - PHD
The overarching aim of this session is to introduce the concept of the reproductive story, a theoretical model that can be used by healthcare providers as a psychoeducational tool in supporting patients and families who receive unexpected news during pregnancy. Attendees will be able to utilize the concept of the reproductive story to promote post-traumatic growth.

Session #2 

GRIEF AND CHILDREN: SHADOWS IN THE SUN: BETTY DAVIES, RN, BSCN, MN, PHD
Many adults, including health care professionals, are uncertain about how children grieve. As a result, adults are often at a loss as to how to be most helpful. This presentation draws on an extended program of research with siblings and families following a child’s death, and on clinical experiences and personal history, to present five lessons learned about sibling bereavement that can be used in supporting grieving children, with emphasis on the conclusion that, as individual clinicians and researchers, we benefit from reflecting on our own histories and how the “end is the beginning” for each of us.

GRIEF UNPACKED: PROCESSING LOSS AND MEMORY MAKING THROUGH ART THERAPY TECHNIQUES: TORI CHARLES – MA-ATR
Therapeutic art techniques can promote healthy grieving and healing for those who experience the traumatic loss of their baby. In this presentation, participants will learn how art therapy techniques can be used to facilitate coping and offer opportunities for memory making.

SOCIAL SUPPORT AND TRAUMA SYMPTOMS REDUCTION: A MIXED - METHODS STUDY: AGATA FREEDLE, PHD, LPC, NCC, PMH-C
Social support is considered one of the main factors contributing to positive adjustment following a traumatic event. However, receiving supportive responses after a perinatal loss may be challenging. This presentation will focus on increasing participants’ understanding of evidence-based practices by discussing the latest research findings to increase participants competence to work with diverse families experiencing perinatal loss.

SILENT SORROW: THE DOUBLE DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF FATHERS IN PREGNANCY LOSS: IRENA MILENTIJEVIC, PSY.D
Pregnancy loss is a traumatic experience that affects both mothers and fathers, however, father’s grief experiences are often marginalized and unrecognized by society and healthcare providers. This session aims to shed light on the challenges faced by fathers in the aftermath of pregnancy loss and offer strategies for healthcare providers to better support fathers in their grief journey. Additionally, the session will explore the impact of pregnancy loss on couples’ relationships.

THE UNSTEADY ROCK: NON-GESTATIONAL PARTNERS IN LOSS: JULIE BINDEMAN - PSY-D
When a pregnancy loss occurs in a heterosexual relationship, the focus, almost exclusively is on the person who carried the pregnancy. This holds true for those in the LGBTQ+ community, however, partners don't express loss in the same way that non-gestational parents in heterosexual relationships often do, and are often even more ignored. While there is a continuing need for research in this area, this presentation will speak to the nuances of loss within the LGBTQ+ community and what often tends to be overlooked by care providers and supporters.

Session #3

PERINATAL PALLIATIVE CARE: USEFUL LESSONS FOR PRACTICE FROM TELEHEALTH PARENT SUPPORT PILOT STUDY: ERIN DENNEY-KOELSCH - MD, FAAH, PM; DENISE CÔTÉ-ARSENAULT, PHD, RN, CPLC, FNAP, FAAN
Much of the care provided to parents who continue their pregnancy with a life-limiting fetal diagnosis focuses on decision-making for the labor, delivery, and immediate care for the newborn. However, parent’s needs extend far beyond planning for birth and neonatal intervention care. This workshop will present the guiding frameworks and principles to train care providers to support parents during pregnancy and beyond.

STORY TELLING IN THE SAND TRAY: USING SAND TRAY THERAPY TO COPE WITH PERINATAL TRAUMA AND LOSS: LACEY FISHER, LPC-S, RPT-S, PMH-C
Mental health clinicians in the perinatal mental health community often need more modalities to use in therapy services for perinatal bereavement that supplement or extend beyond cognitive therapies or traditional talk therapy. This presentation will explore how sandtray therapy can be used to supplement other therapies that facilitate healing from trauma and loss.

WHEN THE EXPECTED IS LOST: SUPPORTIVE CARE FOLLOWING FETAL DIAGNOSIS: ELIZABETH MOORHOUSE, LCSW, PMH-C AND EMILIE LAMBERG JONES, BSW, RN, C-EFM
Individuals face a multitude of potential losses, as well as complicated decision making, following the diagnosis of a fetal health concern. Even if the pregnancy continues and the baby is expected to survive, there is the loss of the “expected” or “anticipated” pregnancy, birth experience, and health trajectory for which one may have hoped. This session will highlight the role of the social worker and nurse in providing supportive, individualized care and resources.

INTERDEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION ON THE PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS CONTINUUM: ONE HOSPITAL’S EFFORT TO PROVIDE PARALLEL CARE: MEGAN HALEY- MSN; AMY CROCHET - RN, BSN, RN-CPLC
Parallel, collaborative care across multiple units, including memory making and education, is often lacking in the hospital setting. Participants of this session will be educated on the benefits of interdepartmental collaboration as well as learn the process involved in building a collaborative pregnancy loss program.

SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN THEIR DECISION TO DONATE ORGANS AND TISSUE AFTER A NEWBORN DEATH: TERRI WEINMAN, D.O., F.A.A.P
This workshop encompasses how many families (in specific circumstances) who are expecting their newborn to have a shortened life expectancy can pursue donation of tissue and or organs following the death of their newborn. These discussions begin in the prenatal period and serve to support families who are already experiencing grief.

Session #4

HIDDEN HEARTACHE: USING EXPRESSIVE ARTS TO PROCESS TRAUMATIC PERINATAL GRIEF AND LOSS: HAYLEY WILDS – LPC
While grief is a natural response to loss, research indicates that traumatic loss can lead to complicated or prolonged grief. When it comes to perinatal loss, societal stigma and discomfort around the subject can influence the natural grieving process. In this session, participants will discover how expressive arts can provide a unique channel through which grieving individuals can share, process, and heal from their traumatic grief experiences.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HOW WE SUPPORT: ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PERINATAL LOSS AND BEREAVEMENT: JESSICA T. FRY, MD
The trauma inherent in perinatal loss can be complex and imbued with nuance, which may lead to ethical concerns. In this session, we will explore a variety of ethical issues that can arise during the experience of perinatal loss. Through discussion of prenatal decision-making, advance care birth planning, post-mortem support for families, and approaches to bereavement for health care professionals, we will aim to identify core ethical principles that can guide our support.

INCORPORATING ELEMENTS OF RESPECT WHEN CARING FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING LOSS: SARAH COPPLE - MSN, RNC-MNN, C-ONQS; CATHERINE HILL - DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
When poor outcomes are anticipated or occur, helping to prepare parents for the birth and/or loss of their newborn should be supported by awareness, dignity, parent autonomy, shared decision-making, and informed consent. This workshop will prepare participants to formulate an individualized plan of care that supports the unique traditions and cultures of each family experiencing a loss. Additionally, strategies to integrate the elements of respect throughout bereavement and palliative care programs will be presented.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR LACTATION SUPPORT AND DONATION OF MOTHER’S BREAST MILK DURING BEREAVEMENT: DANIEL ROBINSON - MSC, MD; GRACE KNOWLES- MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, CHPPN
There is often a lack of information given to bereaved mothers about lactation and options for breast care or donation of expressed milk. This concurrent workshop will provide guidance and support for healthcare workers so they will be better able to support bereaved, lactating mothers.

SUPPORTING FAMILIES AND STAFF EXPERIENCING PERINATAL LOSS ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME: AMANDA REICHERT, PHD, MS(HCA), MS(NED), RN, PT-CSP; KAREN HOYT
Nursing and chaplaincy can collaborate to provide comprehensive bereavement and family support. This presentation will discuss how this collaboration can work as well as discuss the spiritual distress of grieving parents as an essential component of the healing process. Additionally, Jean Watson’s Caritas Processes will be discussed as to how they relate to providing staff support.

Session #5

TRAUMATIC STRESS IN CARE PROVIDERS: CHERYL TATANO BECK, DNSC, CNM, FAAN
An occupational hazard exists for clinicians who care for persons who have been traumatized. Figley called this cost of caring secondary traumatic stress which is a syndrome of symptoms similar to PTSD that results from healthcare providers indirectly exposed to traumatic events through caring for patients who have been traumatized. It is stress that can result from helping or wanting to help a traumatized or suffering. In this workshop prevalence rates and symptom severity of secondary traumatic stress in clinicians are discussed. Specific experiences of secondary traumatic stress in labor and delivery nurses, certified nurse-midwives, and NICU nurses are detailed to illustrate the quantitative rates. Programs designed to help healthcare providers with secondary traumatic stress are identified. The workshop will end on a positive note as the possibility of posttraumatic growth in clinicians is explained.

SUPPORT WITHOUT SHAME: HONORING THE LOSS EXPERIENCED BY PREGNANCY TERMINATION: JULIE BINDEMAN - PSY-D
For the first time in nearly 50 years, abortion is illegal in a variety of states, and the landscape around providing this type of medical care is in constant flux. This learning activity will assist learners in navigating the complex maze of restrictions for all types of healthcare providers, as well as strategies to work with patients that are trying to access or have accessed abortion care.

NOT A MOMENT SPENT APART: NEWBORN COMFORT CARE PROGRAM AT UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HOSPITALS & CLINICS: SHEILA FRASCHT - RN, BSN, CHPPN, CPLC; REBECCA BENSON - MD, PH.D., FAAP
All newborns with serious medical conditions have traditionally been admitted to NICU to allow the medical team to evaluate the baby. This created separation between the baby and parents at the most essential time of life, immediately after delivery. Recognizing the need for a change in this practice to ensure babies with brief lives would be allowed to live out every moment in the presence of their families, Frascht and Benson will identify the process of creating a new model of care for families whose babies would benefit from living out their lives in the presence of their families.

CENTRALIZING RESOURCES AND CREATING A FRAMEWORK FOR EARLY REFERRAL AND INTERVENTION WHEN A BABY DIES: KELLY PULFORD - CCLS; LINDSEY WIMMER - RN, MSN, CPNP, CPLC
There are many barriers for families to accessing bereavement services after their baby dies. These include limited availability, lack of appropriate support, discomfort asking for help, distrust in systems, and not knowing to access services. Creating a statewide program to provide equitable access to support services after a baby has died helps to negate these barriers; this concurrent workshop will outline the development and implementation of a community perinatal bereavement program.

MAKING FAMILY CONNECTS CHICAGO TRULY UNIVERSAL: INCLUDING BEREAVED FAMILIES IN A UNIVERSAL POSTPARTUM HOME VISITING INITIATIVE: ANNA CALIX - MPH(C)
Pregnancy loss is a known risk factor for postpartum depression (PPD). Studies show that women with low levels of social support and pregnancy loss were found to be 10 times more likely to develop PPD than women with high levels of social support. However, despite this alarming statistic and a clear need for added support, women who have experienced pregnancy loss are often excluded from postpartum initiatives. This workshop will describe a successful community program as well as identify mechanisms by which caregivers interacting with families in their community can meet their needs.