Webinar: The Impact of Prenatal Stress and Traumatic Childbirth on Maternal and Child Wellbeing

Pregnancy and childbirth is an exciting and joyful time for many families, but there’s no denying that it adds stress. For some, it can even be traumatic. An estimated 46% of birthing people describe their experience that way, and some even say giving birth was one of the worst experiences of their lives.

So how can home visiting staff support families who experience prenatal stress and childbirth trauma?

In this webinar — hosted by LA Best Babies Network on June 13, 2022, for staff in our network of home visiting organizations and Welcome Baby hospitals — Gabrielle Kaufman discusses prenatal stress and traumatic childbirth experiences, highlights how stress and trauma affect maternal well-being and mental health in the perinatal period, and describes ways that home visitors can support families who have experienced prenatal stress and childbirth trauma.

About the presenter:

Gabrielle Kaufman, MA, LPCC, BC-DMT, NCC is a dance/movement therapist and licensed professional clinical counselor with over 20 years of experience in the helping professions. Currently, she is Clinical Director for Maternal Mental Health NOW. Prior to this, she served as Director of the New Moms Connect Program of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, providing services to new parents, particularly those suffering from symptoms of postpartum depression. Ms. Kaufman has taught parenting classes and has worked extensively with new parents. She has run several programs for high-risk children and teens, and runs support groups for single parents and women with postpartum depression. Ms. Kaufman has spoken widely, published articles on parenting, and served as editor for Bringing Light To Motherhood. She serves as the Los Angeles Coordinator for Postpartum Support International and also has a private practice in Los Angeles, providing services in both English and Spanish languages.

Related resources:

• This webinar’s presentation slides: The Impact of Prenatal Stress and Traumatic Childbirth on Maternal and Child Wellbeing
• Maternal Mental Health NOW:
  • Pilar’s Story
  • My Care App – Emotional Wellness Self-Help Tool
  • Miscarriage, Stillbirth & Infant Death (Online Course)
  • Maternal Mental Health NOW Resource Directory
• Parents as Teachers:
  • Trauma and its Manifestations (Webinar)
  • Working with Adults Impacted by Trauma (Webinar)
• Postpartum Support International