Thriving through Midwifery
Ā Providing comprehensive continuing education units, online & in-person, to advance our learning and develop critical skills to better serve the families and communities we work with.
When midwives & students come together to learn, we raise each other up!Ā
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I am so utterly passionate about midwifery and am actively working towards a world where there are enough midwives to serve every woman and birthing person because the Midwifery Model of Care, ~ regardless of where it is practiced ~ IS the answer to so many of the problems we face in the maternity healthcare system.
As an instructor and human being, I strive to cultivate a warm, patient, compassionate and connective experience for learners so we all feel a part of a powerful and empowering community.Ā Ā
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The Spiral Method of Learning
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utilizes a stepwise approach to teaching which begins with establishing a firm foundational knowledge (understanding the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology), then building on this, connecting back to basic principles as we apply a more complex understanding and practice. Lots of repetition promotes memory retention and a connection with what is being learn.
My approach to teaching,Ā at it's core, is to help you understand the 'why'Ā behind your actions and gain competence & confidence in your skills. That way, if you ever encounter an atypical situation,Ā you can trust your knowledge & understanding of the physiologyĀ you are aiming to support ā to inform your actions and approach to restoring homeostasis.
This is the difference between beginner and expert and while we can't get there in a day, we can participate in the template of learning that will help us move toward mastery quickly. That way, we can rely on our skills to manage the situation at hand while also focusing on the bigger picture.
Online & In-Person Workshops
Sew Savvy Suturing for Community Midwives
Dive into & keep cultivating the art and practice of suturing!
Suturing is an essential skill for community midwives to practice. Both to effectively and efficiently control excessive bleeding, should it arise, but to help your clients maintain the integrity and strength of their pelvic floor and prevent dysfunction, now or in their future.
6hr online / 6hr in-person
Smooth Transitions - Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP)
Designed specifically for Midwife-led, community based, birth teams.Ā
Together, let's learn to recognize and support more challenging neonatal transitions with compassionate, deliberate and effective resuscitation. It'sĀ is a critical skill for every member of the birth team -Ā to not only be credentialed inĀ - but to be truly skilled at.Ā
4hr - in person
Intravenous Therapy for Community Midwives
Come learn how to place an IV quickly and efficiently, when needed.
In this hybrid program, we will learn when an IV is helpful, what fluids are best, how to calculate administration rate, and review the medications typically delivered in the community settings including antibiotics for GBS treatment, Pitocin and TXA for PPH, and shock. And of course, tips and strategies to get an IV placed on the first try!
2hr online / 2 hr in-person
Postpartum Hemorrhage & Shoulder Dystocia Practice
PPH is the most common obstetric emergency and SD is amongst the scariest!Ā
In this 4 hour practice focused workshop, we will dive into emergency management by first practicing individual skills and then move straight into well organized, timed, skill specific scenarios that re-enforce learning and challenge us to take a step further...gaining in complexity as we go along.
PPH (5hr) / SD (4hr) + 4hr in-person
Total = 13 hr
This is a great class to add to a morning session of NRP when we can then put it all together! **Online modules must be completed prior to workshop (not included in cost).Ā
Alternative Therapies for Postpartum Hemorrhage
Students often ask me for more than the medical, evidence based approach to PPH management.
In this online presentation, we will explore prevention strategies using our herbal allies, treatment remedies and how to know when it's time to move to medications. We will explore each herb individually then discuss formulas using dried herbs, tinctures and formularies.Ā
**Included as a bonus with the PPH & SD workshop**
1hr online
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The Complete Newborn Examination
Learn to complete a thorough assessment of the newborn in the immediate postpartum.
In this online presentation, we will explore each and every aspect of the newborn exam, what normal findings are, how to chart them and what they mean regarding the baby's overall health. I will teach you a thorough head to toe strategy that you can repeat with every exam so you never miss anything. For each aspect of the exam, we will explore deviations from normal, what they could indicate, and when to send the baby to a pediatrician.
1hr online
"I have been blown away with all the insights, realizations, understanding and awareness I have gained. This process has been truly transformational, deep shifts are happening within me and with each one, I step more and more firmly into my power from within!Ā
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~ Michelle
"Avril is a wise and generous soul. Her teachings move me to the core, and her open heartedness, authentic power and love has helped me find my own. I am so glad that I took a chance on ME!"