Massachusetts

1. A brief history of obstetrics comparing Western and Chinese classical approaches from the past with current practice
2. Physiological changes in pregnancy, safety of acupuncture in pregnancy and the “forbidden points"
3. Treating various conditions / pathologies in pregnancy including nausea & vomiting, heartburn, threatened miscarriage, constipation, varicose veins, muscle-skeletal problems such as back & pelvic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and stress
4. Obstetric “red flags”: including bleeding in pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, abdominal pain, cholestasis, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, premature labour, urinary problems, small for dates babies, hypertensive disorders, malpresentation & cord prolapse, retained placenta, post-partum haemorrhage, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders including postpartum psychosis, breast feeding problems, including mastitis
5. Introduction to MYMOP and audit in the clinic
6. Discussion of Obstetric acupuncture organizations and support groups
7. Brief discussion of obstetric research
8. Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) (another "red flag”). “Western” diagnosis and treatment, treatment with acupuncture, illustrated with case histories
9. Discussion of research relating to HG including overview of presenter’s recent Delphi consensus study on acupuncture for HG
10. Breech presentation and treatment by TCM
11. Pre-birth preparation and induction of labour with acupressure and acupuncture
12. Pain relief in labour with acupuncture and acupressure
13. Anxiety & depression in pregnancy and post-natal period
14. Building bridges and communication with the midwifery, GP and obstetrician communities

Goals and Objectives:

• To ensure delegates have a thorough understanding of all aspects of obstetric acupuncture
• To ensure practitioners are safe in their practice when dealing with pregnant and post-natal women
• To inspire and encourage audit in practice
• To promote advantages of membership of obstetric acupuncture organizations such as the "Obstetrical Acupuncture Association” (OBAA) and awareness of mentorship groups such as "Maternity Acupuncture Mentoring & Peer Support" (MAMPS)
• To encourage engagement and familiarity with obstetric research and promote use of the organization "Evidence Based Acupuncture" (EBA)
•  To encourage evidence-based communication with health professionals in order to promote advantages of obstetric acupuncture

• Treatment of nausea in clinical practice
• Treatment of hyperemesis in clinical practice
• Treatment of threatened miscarriage in clinical practice
• Treatment of Pre-labour rupture of membranes in clinical practice
• Red flag for nausea, hyperemesis and Pre-labour rupture of membranes
• Treatment of anxiety and depression in clinical practice
• Treatment with acupuncture in postpartum period

Goals and Objectives

1. Acupuncturists taking this class can expect to:
2. Understand key research terms to use when discussing research with medical colleagues to promote professional credibility
3. Understand how to use key research terms from the evidence base when advertising or promoting their pregnancy practice
4. Identify quality studies that they can share and discuss with medical colleagues and the public 
5. Understand how to write a case history from clinical practice for publication

• Why research – initial concepts
• Why becoming research literature has value and looking at the concepts of statistical and clinical significance
• Using the critical analysis checklist for an RCT
• Understanding different types of research: Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed Methods research
• Considerations for reading a RCT paper
• Understanding terminology around pragmatic trials and the difference between effectiveness and efficacy
• Research in practice – findings from PhD research: The use of Acupuncture in threatened miscarriage – a mixed methods study
• Academic writing: Case histories
• Understanding Systematic Reviews