I was honored to be an invited speaker to the GOLD online Midwifery conference this February (2019). It was wonderful to present our latest findings to an international audience, and I always prefer to do things online, from the comfort of my own office.
The team at GOLD midwifery were very supportive throughout my experience with them, and invited me to join in a podcast interview on my chosen topic..
‘Exploring the needs of childbearing women with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS)’ – You can access this via the video below.
The audience were very active in participation, and it was interesting to see how the live polls throughout my live presentation were completed. We had midwives join from all over the world! Some had heard of hEDS, and some had not. Yet everyone was keen to learn more.
This conference also enabled me to introduce my colleagues via video. I will introduce you to them here again now via the two following videos.
Dr Gemma Pearce
Dr Emma Reinhold
By far the most engaging part of my presentation (as told to me by delegate feedback) were the videos which demonstrated what hyperextensible skin looks like, and how to use the Beighton score to test someone for hypermobility. As such, I will share these videos here too. I would love to know what you think of them.
Looking for a video on how to test someone for hypermobility using the Beighton score? See below
Looking for a video about hyper extensible skin? See these two below:
Whilst these explanatory videos were indeed fab, I was also able to share some of our new findings in relation to women’s childbearing experiences with hEDS. The 40 interviews we carried out during this project gave us a much deeper understanding of the issues these childbearing women face. At times they are not believed, belittled and/or accused. Other times, their experience of trauma means that they are not willing to bare any further children. Our findings as a whole are concerning, and we hope to publish and share them soon, so that we can start making quality and safety improvement plans in partnership with key stakeholders.
It is wonderful to know that delegates at this conference were enthusiastic about following our research going forward. This experience has definitely affirmed to me that midwives around the world are thirsty for new knowledge and ways to improve their practice.
Thank you to the delegates and organizers of the GOLD Online Midwifery Conference logging in from over 50 countries!!!
It was wonderful to say goodbye at the closing ceremony too. Thank you for inviting me!
I think this is the beginning of a really special journey.
If you would like to follow the progress of work going forward..
Follow me via @SallyPezaro; The Academic Midwife; This blog
Until next time…Look after yourselves and each other 💚💙💜❤
Dr Sally Pezaro 