Low Risk Maternal Care This offering is for nurses new to obstetrics. The program begins with a review of reproductive pathophysiology and proceeds to methods of inducing or augmenting labor, comfort measures for labor, the nurses role in Cesarean sections, VBAC’s, the use of IUPC’s and ends with discussion of legal issues, standards of care, and case studies. No CNE credits are awarded. Fetal Monitoring 1 (FM 1) Fetal Monitoring 1 is a basic fetal monitoring class designed for the nurse who is new to obstetrics. This offering uses case studies and strip review to cover the basic concepts of Fetal Monitoring to include different methods of monitoring, FHR baseline, variability, physiology of FHR patterns and associated interventions. This offering is best suited to audiences whose perinatal nursing experience and exposure to electronic fetal monitoring is 6 months or less and can serve as a base line review for others at any time. Fetal Monitoring 2 (FM 2) This offering is an extension of FM 1 and includes NICHD language review as well as FHR genesis and pathophysiology. Instructors use actual fetal monitor strips and case studies to discuss acid/base balance and its effects on the FHR, with an emphasis on abnormal FHR rhythms and arrhythmias. Legal issues surrounding nursing care in the perinatal setting is included, as well as standards of care and documentation. It is a natural progression from FM 1 and is best suited to audiences whose clinical nursing experience exceeds 6 months with more than 6 months experience using the electronic fetal monitor. Managing Breastfeeding During the Maternity Hospital Stay This full day offering includes strategies on managing breastfeeding during the maternity hospital stay. The program will begin with the evidence for the Joint Commission Perinatal core measure for exclusive breastfeeding. Additional presentations and interactive sessions will provide useful tools related to managing common breastfeeding challenges and communication strategies. Participants will learn how healthcare provider’ practices can affect breastfeeding success or failure. Patient class simulations and video clips will be used as informative and interactive teaching strategies to stimulate discussion on some of the barriers faced by breastfeeding mothers and the staff caring for them during the maternity hospital stay. Normal Newborn Adaptation This offering examines the transition of newborns to extra-uterine life. The participant will be able to identify assessments and interventions that support the newborn’s physical, neurosensory and emotional adjustment to the birth process and list ways to promote the health of newborns and their families. The special needs of the late preterm infant are also presented. Post Partum Care & Support This offering covers post partum assessment of the mother for vaginal and C/S birth; priorities in post partum discharge teaching; assessment and intervention for maternal post partum mood disorders; assessment, education, and referral for domestic violence; and counseling and caring for families with a perinatal loss. The Perioperative Role of the L&D Nurse This offering is designed to familiarize novice nurses with Perioperative Guidelines as promulgated by AWHONN and to give direction in applying these guidelines in their own practice in order to provide “same standards of care” in the Perinatal Perioperative setting. The offering will familiarize nurses with the assessment, interventions and evaluations of the Perinatal Perioperative patient, surgical principles of asepsis with interventions for preventing contamination and nursing responsibilities in the operating room, the effects of anesthesia/analgesia on both the mom and the newborn, towards improving the quality of care to every obstetric patient. High Risk Maternal Care This offering covers six frequently encountered complications of pregnancy: Diabetes, Preterm Labor, Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy, Maternal Cardiac Disease and Obstetric Hemorrhage. Content is based on review of the current literature and includes risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnoses, medical and nursing management, and nursing implications throughout the pregnancy continuum. Caring for the Antepartal Patient Upon completion of this offering, participants will be able to define methods of antepartum testing, identify multidisciplinary components of the nursing care plan for the long-term antepartal patient, describe the physical and psychosocial effects of bed rest, examine hyperemesis, gall bladder disease, pyelonephritis and surgical procedures during the antepartum period and list nursing interventions related to antepartum care. Fetal Monitoring 1 or a basic knowledge of fetal monitoring is recommended. Hi Risk Maternal Care serves as a companion module for this offering. Care of the Female Post Op Patient This offering is designed to familiarize novice nurses with postoperative care practices and to give direction in applying these practices in order to provide “same standards of care” in the female postoperative patient. The offering will familiarize nurses with the assessment, interventions and evaluations of common female postoperative conditions, the effects of anesthesia/analgesia on the woman, and towards improving the quality of care to every patient. Topics include: general postoperative care; common gynecologic surgeries and related nursing care; non-OB surgery for obstetric patients; and urogenital surgery and related nursing care. AWHONN Intermediate Fetal Monitoring Course (IFMC) This is a 2-day Instructor-led course offering that focuses on the application of essential fetal monitoring knowledge and skills in intrapartum nursing practice.Target Audience Clinicians who have completed basic education and use fetal monitoring in the intrapartum setting. This course addresses the principles of fetal monitoring and may be used as a knowledge assessment to validate proficiencies of experienced perinatal clinicians. This course includes lecture, hands-on skill station exercises about fetal Heart rate auscultation, performing Leopold’s maneuvers, placement of an intrauterine pressure catheter and spiral electrode, interpretation of tracings, identification of physiologically based interventions, communication and documentation. This course may be used to support preparation for certification exams. CNE credits are awarded. AWHONN Advanced Fetal Monitoring Course (AFMC) This is a one day, Instructor-led course designed for the perinatal clinician who has completed the AWHONN Intermediate Course, a comparable fetal monitoring education program and/or who hold certifications or added credentials in fetal heart monitoring. The Advanced Course expands on the knowledge and physiological principles presented in the AWHONN Intermediate Fetal Monitoring Course. This course uses a case study approach to support analysis of complicated patient clinical information and tracings. The Course emphasizes the physiology of fetal-maternal oxygenation, instrumentation, interpretation of tracings and the selection of interventions as well as communication and documentation techniques. The course may be used to support preparation for certification exams. An optional integration test is available. CNE credits are awarded. AWHONN Intermediate Fetal Monitoring Instructor Course (IFMC-IC) This 1-day Instructor Trainer led course presents principles and application of adult learning theory as applicable for teaching the Intermediate Fetal Monitoring Course. This course, revised in 2017, is the first step for individuals who wish to be approved as AWHONN FHM Program Instructors. Once you have met the criteria for participation, this one-day, in-person course will assist you in becoming an AWHONN Fetal Heart Monitoring Intermediate Course Instructor. This course provides requirements for teaching the Advanced Course. Join the more than 3,000 professionals who have earned this prestigious designation and help other clinicians along their journey of fetal monitoring education. Criteria for Participation The minimum requirements for participating in this course include: Current AWHONN membership. Successful Completion of the current Intermediate Fetal Monitoring Course within 3 years previous to The Intermediate Instructor Course. Minimum of 2 years recent direct clinical experience in fetal monitoring. Current direct clinical involvement in fetal monitoring as a staff nurse, physician, manager, clinical nurse specialist or educator. Current responsibility for the evaluation of fetal monitoring skills of others. Evidence of ongoing professional development in intrapartum, antepartum, high-risk care and fetal monitoring. CNE credits are awarded. RNC Certification Review Offerings These offerings are broad overviews of obstetrical nursing from antepartum through delivery, postpartum and care of the newborn. They are designed to confirm areas of knowledge and identify areas where further study may be needed to prepare for the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing Certification Exam and the Maternal Newborn Certification Exam offered by the National Certification Corporation (NCC) and as a professional development course to expand knowledge and skills regarding current obstetrical nursing practice. Independent study will be encouraged to optimize the lecture portion of the course. CNE credits are awarded.