Nurture & Strengthen | Postpartum Care Virtual Pop-Up On-Demand

Programming

Click below on each session title to view details.

SESSION #1: Interprofessional Collaboration to Optimize Support for Lactating Persons Presented by Justine Ward, PT, DPT, WCS, CBBA and Katie Ver Hage MSN, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, IBCLC 

This session will explore the role of lactation consultants and physical therapists in supporting lactating individuals. Mastitis has been reported to impact 7-10% of lactating persons in the United States and can lead to the cessation of chestfeeding. Lactation consultants and physical therapists can play an integral role in helping individuals continue to chestfeed. A board certified lactation consultant and pelvic health physical therapist will present on their respective roles in treating this patient population and outline a model of care which includes cross disciplinary referrals between OB/GYN’s, midwives, lactation consultants, and physical therapists. The session will include a review of the current available evidence regarding therapeutic ultrasound for treating clogged milk ducts, as well as a summary of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, Revised 2022.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will understand the pathophysiology of mastitis and how it is medically diagnosed and treated.
2. Participants will be able to describe the specific functions and roles of lactation consultants and physical therapists in treating lactating individuals
   with disorders of chestfeeding.
3. Participants will be able to describe three specific interventions physical therapists can provide to support lactating individuals.

Meet Our Presenters

Justine Ward, PT, DPT, WCS, CBBA

Justine practices at Valley Hospital in Mahwah, NJ, where she launched the outpatient rehabilitation Pelvic Health program in 2020. In February 2024, she took on a new role as one of the Prenatal/Postpartum Special Interest Group Directors for the Academy of Pelvic Health. Since then, she has co-produced the "Pregnancy Exercise Do’s and Don’ts" handout for Academy members. In her work, Justine has presented to dozens of OB/GYNs and midwives within the Valley Health System, educating them on the benefits of pelvic health physical therapy and the use of therapeutic ultrasound to treat clogged milk ducts. Her efforts led to the creation of a cross-disciplinary program supporting lactating individuals dealing with issues like blocked milk ducts and mastitis. Passionate about providing evidence-based, inclusive, and personalized care, Justine is dedicated to supporting prenatal and postpartum individuals. Having breastfed both of her children, she looks forward to continuing her breastfeeding journey with her newest family addition, expected in February 2025.

Katie Ver Hage MSN, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, IBCLC

Katie VerHage MSN, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, IBCLC earned her BSN from Rutgers University College of Nursing in 2003 and her Master’s of Nursing from Norwich University in 2018. Katie has been passionate about Women’s health since the inception of her career. She specialized as a Labor and Delivery nurse, certified in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing and Electronic Fetal Monitoring for over 17 years. She then transitioned to Postpartum care as a Clinical Shift supervisor before becoming the Manager of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Lactation and Family Education departments of the Valley Health System in Paramus, NJ. She received her International Board Certified Lactation Consultant certification in 2022. Katie’s main focus has been raising awareness on the importance of providing exclusive breastmilk for the immediate postpartum period, educating new employees on the role of lactation consultants within the health system and has been diligently working on establishing a donor milk program within the Valley Health System. Katie continues to grow relationships between hospital departments to collaborate and promote multi-disciplinary care for both inpatient and outpatient services to promote breastmilk feeding and breastmilk support.

Session #2: Optimizing C-Section Recovery: The Intersection of Pelvic and Orthopedic PT Expertise Presented by Rachel Payne, PT, DPT, NCPT

C-sections are one of the most commonly performed inpatient surgical procedures in the United States, representing around 1 out of every 3 births. While physical therapists with training in both pelvic health and orthopedics are uniquely qualified to provide effective, comprehensive rehabilitation of the birthing person, little guidelines exist as protocol for this post-operative population. Furthermore, recent evidence has demonstrated similar incidences of pelvic floor dysfunction after cesarean and vaginal births. The aim of this session will be to familiarize participants with the cesarean section procedure and discuss considerations for expected tissue healing times, postpartum ADL training, available DME and garments recommendations, prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunctions, rehabbing the abdominal wall, and return to desired exercise and activities.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will recognize the role cesarean birth plays in pelvic floor dysfunction and identify common postpartum pelvic floor dysfunctions.
2. Participants will gain the skills to evaluate and implement appropriate training strategies for postpartum ADLs in individuals recovering from a
   cesarean birth.
3. Participants will become familiar with various durable medical equipment (DME) and garment options, providing evidence-based recommendations
   for postpartum recovery.
4. Participants will be able to develop comprehensive rehabilitation plans that address abdominal wall recovery and facilitate a safe return to
   exercise and desired activities for birthing individuals.

Meet Our Presenter

Rachel Payne, PT, DPT, NCPT

Rachel Payne, PT, DPT, NCPT is a pelvic floor PT, pilates instructor, and owner of District Pelvic Health in Arlington, VA. Earning her DPT from the University of Miami in 2013, she began her career in outpatient orthopedics, laying a solid foundation for understanding how the body works as a system prior to pelvic floor training. In 2017 she became a Nationally Certified Pilates Instructor through Polestar Pilates. While navigating infertility, pregnancy, and a difficult birthing experience she leaned into her passion for the perinatal population, earning her CAPP-OB in 2024. She founded her practice, District Pelvic Health, in an effort to give other pregnant and postpartum people better access to the treatment, education, and care they deserve. When not working with clients, she is either doing Pilates, lifting weights, or she and her husband are busy chasing after their son William and dog Darcy.

Session #3: Optimizing Postpartum Recovery in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: Addressing Nutrient Depletion for Holistic Health Support Presented by Tara Moore, PT, DPT, NTP, IFMCP

Many women experience cumulative nutrient deficiencies through pregnancy and post-partum that, if left unaddressed, can hinder lactation, mental health, pelvic health, and orthopedic recovery. This session spotlights critical nutrients, including iron, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and B vitamins, and their essential roles in energy levels, immune support, muscle health, and overall postpartum recovery. Participants will learn to identify signs of postnatal nutrient depletion and understand how these deficiencies affect recovery. Key strategies for assessment and intervention will be presented, emphasizing the practitioner’s role in dietary and lifestyle modifications to support patient health. This session also underscores the importance of a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach for achieving optimal outcomes. By proactively addressing nutritional gaps, practitioners can help ensure healthier, more resilient mothers and reduce the long-term health risks that stem from uncorrected nutrient deficiencies.

Learning Objectives

1. Define and identify postnatal depletion syndrome and recognize common symptoms in post-partum women.
2. Identify key nutrients critical for postpartum recovery through subjective and objective assessments.
3. Understand the impact of nutrient deficiencies on lactation, mental health, pelvic health, and orthopedic concerns.
4. Recognize when to refer postpartum women to appropriate healthcare providers to achieve optimal outcomes.

Meet Our Presenter

Tara Moore, PT, DPT, NTP, IFMCP

Tara Moore earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis in 2011. Tara has a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Sports Administration from Cleveland State University and an undergraduate degree from Baldwin Wallace University, focusing on Health Promotion and Education. She has completed a variety of advanced training in physical therapy evaluation and treatment for patients with pelvic floor dysfunction, including from Herman & Wallace. Tara has taken extensive coursework studying visceral manipulation through the Barrall Institute. She is a Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP) through the Institute of Functional Medicine and a certified Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) through the Nutritional Therapy Association. Tara utilizes her pelvic floor, women’s health and nutrition knowledge to provide customized whole-body treatment plans for optimal patient outcomes.

Event Sponsors

We'd like to thank our sponsors, My Own Filo and Medbridge, for their generous support of this webinar event and their commitment to advancing pelvic health for postpartum women. To learn more about their products, click on the messages below.