FOR: Doulas, childbirth educators, midwives, student midwives, breastfeeding experts and other change-minded maternity professionals.
A 2 day international conference featuring 20+ scientists, academics and maternity leaders on the science of the infant microbiome and how it supports the physiology of pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.
Here is a preview of what's in store for THE MICROBIRTH PLAN VirtualConference 2023. Join us to be part of the change.
This is a 2 day virtual conference based on the science of the infant microbiome, the science explored in our film MICROBIRTH.
Released in 2014, MICROBIRTH had a huge impact on the birth world. With over 1,000 public screenings, the film shone a light on the microscopic events happening during pregnancy, vaginal birth and breastfeeding. These events lay the foundations for a child’s long-term health.
Over the past few years, there have been many new discoveries. There is a now an overwhelming body of evidence supporting vaginal birth (when possible), immediate skin-to-skin and exclusive breastfeeding. This is the science that expectant parents need to know to empower their choices during pregnancy, birth and beyond. But more than that, this science has the power to transform the future of maternity care.
It’s time to bring the global birth community together to learn direct from the scientists conducting the research. To learn. To connect. To share a vision. To make a plan. To come together as one powerful voice; a global community calling for change. By working together, we can leverage the community’s diverse social and intellectual strength. By working together, we have the potential to bring about change.
For two days on April 29th & 30th 2023, join a global community of childbirth educators, doulas, midwives, breastfeeding professionals and other birth workers, plus scientists and world-leading experts.
Hear presentations from 20+ experts and participate in 8 breakout sessions (small group roundtable discussions). Topics covered include nutrition in pregnancy, hands-off birthing, the latest on a new clinical trial on vaginal seeding, facilitating skin-to-skin for vaginal birth and C-section, new discoveries about human milk, plus a plan for this science to reach parents WITHOUT triggering parent guilt.
This is not just another virtual conference. This is something special – a time for all childbirth organisations to come together on a highly interactive digital platform designed to learn, to connect and to inspire change. Join us from anywhere on your mobile, tablet, laptop or desktop. Be part of what feels like a new global grass-roots movement calling for change.
Exploring the science that calls for a fresh approach to pregnancy, birth and beyond.
WHO IS HOSTING THIS CONFERENCE?
We are Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford. We are filmmakers and parent advocates. Our daughter was born by emergency C-section, followed by a struggle to breastfeed. We felt uninformed, unsupported and consequently, disempowered. As filmmakers, we went in search of the science that could help other parents.
In 2014, we launched the film MICROBIRTH with over 1,000 public screenings in 50 countries. These screenings were hosted by a global network of childbirth educators, doulas and other birth practitioners.
The film went down a storm with the birth community as it explores the emerging science of the microbiome, and why it is so strongly supportive of vaginal birth (when possible), immediate skin-to-skin and exclusive breastfeeding.
After making MICROBIRTH, we created an online school now with over 38,000 health professionals enrolled as students. It’s time to bring the birth community to together to forge a plan, a plan that has the power to change the future of maternity care.
The agenda for this 2-Day Conference is specifically designed to expand your knowledge of the latest evidence-based research about the microbiome, plus give you some simple but impactful nuggets of useful information.
These easy-to-digest nuggets of knowledge include some practical hints and tips you can pass on to parents - about practical things they can do during pregnancy, birth and beyond to support the development of their baby’s microbiome, for the best possible long-term health of their baby.
We have gathered an incredible line-up of international speakers, many of whom are scientists who will present the results of their own research. We hope you enjoy this opportunity!
April 29, 2023 09:009.00-9.10 am PDT
Introduction and Welcome
Toni Harman, Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
Alex Wakeford, Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
9.10-10.00 am PDT
Using The Microbiome To Promote Baby’s Healthy Development
Rodney Dietert Phd, Emeritus Professor Of Immunotoxicology, Cornell University
Toni Harman
Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
Alex Wakeford
Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
Rodney Dietert Phd
Emeritus Professor Of Immunotoxicology, Cornell University
April 29, 2023 10:3010.30-11.05 am PDT
The Importance Of Maternal Diet In Pregnancy For Promoting Life-Long Health
Elizabeth Cottrell, Phd, Lecturer In Maternal And Fetal Health, University Of Manchester
11.05am – 11.40am PDT
Human Microbiota and Cardiometabolic Diseases
Noel T. Mueller, Phd, Associate Professor, Department Of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University
11.40am – 12.10pm PDT
On-stage interview about maternal-child microbial seeding in infants born by C-section
Noel T. Mueller, Phd, Associate Professor, Department Of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University
Elizabeth Cottrell
Phd, Lecturer In Maternal And Fetal Health, University Of Manchester
Noel T. Mueller
Phd, Associate Professor, Department Of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University
April 29, 2023 12:4512.45-13.20 pm PDT
Midwifery Care And The Microbiome - Evidence And Debate
Soo Downe, Professor Of Midwifery Studies, University Of Central Lancashire (Uclan)
Anna Byrom Phd FHEA NTFS, Midwife, Senior Midwifery Educator, Publisher The Practising Midwife
Soo Downe
Professor Of Midwifery Studies, University Of Central Lancashire (Uclan)
Anna Byrom
Phd FHEA NTFS, Midwife, Senior Midwifery Educator, Publisher The Practising Midwife
April 29, 2023 14:0014.00-14.35 pm PDT
How Can We Protect The Normal Colonisation Of Infant Skin During Vaginal Birth?
Michelle Irving Phd, Lecturer In Midwifery, University Of Bournemouth
14.35-15.30 pm PDT
The Sacred Hour: Uninterrupted Skin To Skin Immediately After Birth
Raylene M. Phillips, MD, MA, FAAP, FABM, IBCLC Assoc. Professor Of Pediatrics/Neonatology, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital
Michelle Irving Phd
Lecturer In Midwifery, University Of Bournemouth
Raylene M. Phillips
MD, MA, FAAP, FABM, IBCLC Assoc. Professor Of Pediatrics/Neonatology
Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital
April 29, 2023 16:0016.00-16.15 pm PDT
Birth On Your Terms: Why Millennial And Gen Z Parents Need To Take Back Their Births
Tanya Cawthorne LCCE, FACCE, Co-Founder Lamaze Australia, Immediate Past President Lamaze International
16.15-16.30 pm PDT
Implementing Change In Maternity Care
Leslie Arnott, Community And Consumer Engagement Lead, Stakeholder Relations And Partnership-Building
16.30-16.45 pm PDT
Waterbirth And The Newborn Microbiome
Barbara Harper, Founder And President, Waterbirth International
16.45-17.00 pm PDT
Anxiety In Our Patients And Clients: How Can We Help?
Elizabeth Kirts, President, International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
17.00-17.30 pm PDT
After Party Fun Quiz – Test your knowledge of the infant microbiome
Toni Harman, Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
Tanya Cawthorne
LCCE, FACCE, Co-Founder Lamaze Australia
Immediate Past President Lamaze International
Leslie Arnott
Community And Consumer Engagement Lead
Stakeholder Relations And Partnership-Building
Barbara Harper
Founder And President, Waterbirth International
Elizabeth Kirts
President, International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
Toni Harman
Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
April 30, 2023 09:009.00-9.10 am PDT
Introduction and Welcome
Toni Harman, Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
Alex Wakeford, Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
09.10-09.40 am PDT
Nurturescience And Zero Separation
Nils Bergman, MD, MPH, PhD, Public Health Physician
09.40-10.10 am PDT
Practical Workshop: First Beginnings Of Nurturescience
Jill Bergman (She/Her) Kangaroula
Toni Harman
Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
Alex Wakeford
Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
Nils Bergman
MD, MPH, PhD, Public Health Physician
Jill Bergman
Kangaroula
April 30, 2023 10:4010.40-11.15 am PDT
The Impact Of Human Milk Bioactive Molecules On Infant Gut Microbiome And Lifelong Health
Jennifer Smilowitz, PhD, Associate Director Of The Human Studies Research Program For The Foods For Health Institute At University Of California Davis
11.15-12.10 am PDT
On-Stage Interview About The Science Of Human Milk
Meghan Azad, PhD, Professor, Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba
Jennifer Smilowitz
PhD, Associate Director Of The Human Studies Research Program
For The Foods For Health Institute At University Of California Davis
Meghan Azad
PhD, Professor, Pediatrics and Child Health
University of Manitoba
April 30, 2023 12:3012.30-13.00 pm PDT
Human Rights, Childbirth, And The Microbiome
Hermine Hayes-Klein, Lawyer And Parent Advocate
13.00-13.25 pm PDT
Saving Lives! Building a movement to birth a more just and loving world
Jennie Joseph LM, CPM President And Founder Of Commonsense Childbirth Inc.
Hermine Hayes-Klein
Lawyer And Parent Advocate
Jennie Joseph LM
CPM President And Founder Of Commonsense Childbirth Inc.
April 30, 2023 13:4513.45-14.00 pm PDT
How fathers and partners can support the infant microbiome
Alex Wakeford, Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
14.00-14.15 pm PDT
Reducing Parent Guilt By Meeting Them Where They Are
Laura Nance, CPD, CNPE, CLD, CCCE, CLE, CPFE, CCFS, PPNFS, CAPPA Senior Program Advisor
Katie Nyberg, CLD, CPD, CNPE, CLE, CAPPA Senior Program Advisor
14.15-14.30 pm PDT
Doulas Are Microbiome Supporters!
Hillary Melchiors Phd, MPH, CD(DONA), LCCE President, DONA International
14.30-14.45 pm PDT
The Vaginal Secret
Cristin Tighe, Program Director, BirthWorks International
Cathy Daub, Founder And President, BirthWorks International
14.45-15.30 pm PDT
Roundtable Discussion On Challenges Facing Childbirth Educators And Doulas
Hillary Melchiors, DONA International
Cathy Daub, BirthWorks International
Cristin Tighe, BirthWorks International
Debbie Young, ICEA
Laura Nance, CAPPA
Katie Nyberg, CAPPA
Tanya Cawthorne, Lamaze International
Barbara Harper, Waterbirth International
Raylene Phillips, APPPAH
Martina Donaghy, RM, IBCLC, BSc, MSc, Infant Feeding Specialist and Lecturer in Midwifery
Leila Baker, Team Leader, Doula UK
Alex Wakeford
Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
Tanya Cawthorne
LCCE, FACCE, Co-Founder Lamaze Australia
Immediate Past President Lamaze International
Katie Nyberg
CLD, CPD, CNPE, CLE, CAPPA Senior Program Advisor
Hillary Melchiors
MPH, CD(DONA), LCCE President, DONA International
Cristin Tighe
Program Director, BirthWorks International
Cathy Daub
Founder And President, BirthWorks International
Debbie Young
ICEA
Tanya Cawthorne
Lamaze International
Barbara Harper
Waterbirth International
Raylene Phillips
APPPAH
Martina Donaghy
RM, IBCLC, BSc, MSc, Infant Feeding Specialist and
Lecturer in Midwifery
Leila Baker
Team Leader, Doula UK
April 30, 2023 16:0016.00 -16.50 pm PDT
The Microbirth Plan: Our plan to bring the science to parents
Toni Harman, Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
Alex Wakeford, Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
16.50 -17.00 pm PDT
Wrap Up - Day Two
Toni Harman, Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
17.00 -17.30 pm PDT
After Party and Fun Mystery Activity
Toni Harman, Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
17.30 pm
End of Conference
ONE YEAR On-demand access to all speaker presentations.
On Teachable platform. Login in at: https://microbirth.teachable.com
Toni Harman
Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
Alex Wakeford
Founder and host, The Microbirth Plan - Virtual Conference 2023
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This conference is hosted by Alto Films Ltd, the content creation company owned by Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford. Toni and Alex are the filmmakers behind the award-winning documentary MICROBIRTH. Toni and Alex, and their company Alto Films Ltd, are completely independent. We have no affiliations with, and receive no income from, any other organisation or company.
The organisers have secured 12 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) or Continuing Education credits for midwives, childbirth educators and doulas.
ACM – 12 CPD Endorsed Hours (Approved)
NMC - Accepted as 12 CPD Hours by NMC (Approved)
ICEA – 12 Contact Hours (Approved)
Lamaze International –Accepted as 12 Contact Hours
DONA International – Accepted as 12 Contact Hours
CAPPA – Accepted as 12 Contact Hours
MEAC – 12 Midwifery CEUs (Pending)
Your login details will be emailed to you ahead of the event. You can use these details to access the online event. However, you cannot share your login details with anyone else. Only one login per email address is allowed.
The on-demand recordings of all conference presentations will be available 24/7 for ONE YEAR to all conference attendees within our MICROBIOME COURSES School on Teachable. microbirth.teachable.com However, it’s best to attend live so you can fully participate in all the roundtable discussions, connect live with fellow attendees and enjoy the full immersive interactive experience, but you can watch all the recordings on demand whenever it’s convenient for you during this period of time.
This is an online event. You do not have to travel to any specific location. You can participate anywhere that you have Internet access. The event is accessible from desktop, mobile and tablet devices. And please spread the word. We are counting on you to invite others! Help us spread the word. You can simply share the link to this page, and they can register at their convenience.
Yes! If you sign up to the conference, you will be able to download a swag bag of digital goodies including downloadable PDFs.
NO. You do not need to download or install any software to participate in our conference. You only need to have access to the Internet.
For Delegate Enquiries, contact:
Toni Harman, Producer/ Director, MICROBIRTH contact us here
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