2026 Maternal Health Conference
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*Registration payment includes Credit Cards and Interfund Transfers ONLY.
Target Audience
Certified Nurse Midwives, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Community Health Workers, Counselors, Doulas, Emergency Medical Technicians/Paramedics, Executives/Leaders, Genetic Counselors, Health Educators, Lactation Specialists, Licensed Practical Nurses, Medical Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Nursing Assistants, OB/GYNs, Physicians, Physician Assistants, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Public Health Workers, Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Birthing Families
Description
Registration Opening Soon!
On April 9, 2026, in recognition of Maternal Health Month, Care Ring will host its 3rd Annual Maternal Health Conference, presented by Novant Health, in Charlotte, North Carolina. This conference is jointly provided with South Piedmont AHEC, aiming to support both birthing professionals and families. With a focus on improving maternal health and reducing preventable maternal deaths, the conference will feature informative sessions on promoting healthy birth outcomes and empowering families through strategic health system changes. Key partners include Atrium Health, Mecklenburg County Public Health, and a variety of grassroots and community organizations.
The conference will feature insights from local, state, and national experts, aiming to address the existing gaps in knowledge and practice among interdisciplinary health professionals. Participants will explore the challenges faced by especially vulnerable populations. Through evidence-based discussions and quality-driven solutions, attendees will engage in meaningful dialogues and share impactful experiences. This initiative seeks to encourage healing and to celebrate clinical advancements that enhance prenatal and birth outcomes.
Additionally, the conference will highlight the importance of comprehensive support services for birthing individuals during pregnancy and the postpartum period, particularly for those from low-income backgrounds who are at a heightened risk of complications. Attendees will also be informed about proposed legislative measures designed to address the policy factors contributing to maternal and infant mortality. Furthermore, supplementary resources, including recommended readings and videos, will be provided to deepen understanding of the maternal mortality crisis and disparities within healthcare.
Other Activities
• Exhibitor Hall of our sponsors and maternal health related community organizations.
• Tours of the Atrium Health Women's Care Drive to Thrive mobile unit.
• Door prize drawings throughout the day.
• Live demonstrations on how regulated, therapeutic touch supports nervous system regulation and stress reduction, which are key factors in maternal health outcomes.
Full Agenda
Coming Soon!
Conference Location and Format
The 2026 Maternal Health Conference will be offered in a hybrid format, giving participants the option to attend in person or join virtually via live webinar.
In Person Location
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church | Conference Center
3400 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216
Registration fee includes a continental breakfast and hearty lunch.
Virtual Information
The Virtual Session will be broadcast with Zoom. Instructions to join the conference virtually will be emailed prior to the event. You can test your computer by going to the Zoom Test Page.
Jointly Provided by
Care Ring
Learn more at Care Ring's Website!
Featured Partners & Contributors
Click the links below to learn more about our valued partners and top contributors.
Partners - Novant Health | South Piedmont AHEC
Contributors- Atrium Health | Mecklenburg County Public Health
Credit
4.5 ACHE Qualifying Education Hours
By attending the 2026 Maternal Health Conference offered by South Piedmont Area Health Education Center participants may earn up to 4.0 ACHE Qualifying Education Hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation. Please note that you must self-report your attendance of this program in order to receive credit.
0.5 CEUs
This program meets the requirements for 0.5 CEUs.
4.5 Contact Hours
This program meets the requirements for 4.5 contact hours.
National Commission for Health Education Credentialing
Application for CHES® (entry-level) / MCHES® (advanced level) Category I continuing education contact hours (CECH) has been made to the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC).
Certified in Public Health by National Board of Public Health Examiners
Up to 4.5 CPH Recertification Credits may be earned at this event. This event has been approved and is now live on the CPH Activity Finder.
Click HERE to learn more about the National Board of Public Health Examiners and the credit submission process.
4.5 Nursing Contact Hours (90% of attendance is required)
South Piedmont Area Health Education Center is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Disclaimer
Registering for and attending a South Piedmont AHEC program authorizes South Piedmont AHEC to take audio, video, and/or still images to be used for promotional and educational purposes. By registering for this course, you are granting permission for South Piedmont AHECs to share your information with Care Ring. If you have concerns, please speak with a South Piedmont AHEC team member.
Objectives
- Analyze the effects of systemic inadequacies within the healthcare system on maternal and birthing outcomes.
- Explain how traditional and contemporary healthcare imbalances contribute to negative outcomes for birthing individuals.
- Evaluate quality-driven, collaborative approaches that can be used to improve maternal health outcomes.
- Discuss the lived experiences and perspectives of vulnerable women and families to deepen understanding of maternal health inequities.
- Identify community-based resources available to support pregnant and postpartum individuals.
- Describe proposed policy initiatives and examine their role in supporting advocacy and necessary systems-level change.
Electives
Please Choose Conference Format
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 8:30 AM
- Credit
- 0.50 - CEU
- 4.50 - Contact Hours
- 4.50 - ACHE Qualified Education
- 4.50 - Nursing Contact Hours
- Location
- Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
- Room
- Ballroom
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 8:30 AM
- Credit
- 0.50 - CEU
- 4.50 - Contact Hours
- 4.50 - ACHE Qualified Education
- 4.50 - Nursing Contact Hours
- Location
- Live Webinar
- Room
- Zoom
Morning Breakout - Please Select ONE:
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
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Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 10:45 AM
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 10:45 AM
- Description
- Despite growing attention to maternal health outcomes, the early postpartum period, particularly the first 14 days after birth, remains a critical systemic blind spot. In North Carolina, families are routinely discharged from birthing facilities with limited follow-up support, leaving them vulnerable to feeding challenges, postpartum mental health concerns, and preventable emergency department visits. These gaps disproportionately affect families navigating Medicaid coverage, rural access barriers, and fragmented care systems. This session examines how current maternal health structures unintentionally fail families during the most vulnerable postpartum window and argues for a shift from education-only models toward continuity-based, preventative care. Drawing on clinical experience as a registered nurse and IBCLC, alongside community-based doula and lactation work, the presenter highlights how early postpartum support improves breastfeeding outcomes, supports maternal mental health, and reduces disparities across populations. Participants will explore evidence-informed, community-based models that integrate lactation and doula support into existing care pathways and align with North Carolina's maternal health priorities, including equity, access, and prevention. Emphasis will be placed on practical, scalable strategies that clinicians, community organizations, and system leaders can implement or advocate for within their own settings. By reframing early postpartum lactation and doula care as essential components of maternal healthcare, rather than optional services, this session aims to spark meaningful dialogue and action toward system-level change. The content is designed to be accessible to families while equipping maternal health professionals with concrete tools to strengthen postpartum care delivery and improve outcomes for parents and infants statewide.
Speaker:
Lindley Cave, MSN, RN, IBCLC, Doula, Carolinas Breast Choice: Doula & Lactation Services
- Objective(s)
- Identify at least three systemic gaps in postpartum care during the first 14 days that contribute to poor maternal and infant outcomes in North Carolina.
- Describe the evidence-informed relationship between early postpartum lactation support, maternal mental health, and feeding outcomes.
- Compare at least two community-based postpartum care models that improve continuity of care and reduce disparities.
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 10:45 AM
- Description
- Despite decades of data collection, persistent inequities in maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women, continue to signal a critical failure in how we define, collect, and act on maternal health data. Traditional clinical and administrative datasets often capture what happened during birth, but rarely how it was experienced. This absence of lived context limits our ability to design care models that are truly patient-centered, trauma-informed, and equitable. This session explores how narrative data and storytelling, when paired with ethical innovation, can transform maternal health systems and improve the birthing experience. Drawing from real-world applications in community-informed data collection and health technology, this presentation will demonstrate how qualitative narratives, patients' voices, experiences, and meaning-making can be systematically gathered, protected, and translated into insights that complement clinical metrics. Participants will examine the role of narrative data in identifying patterns of bias, communication breakdowns, and care gaps that are often invisible in traditional datasets. The session will also highlight innovative approaches, including AI-assisted qualitative analysis and community-led data governance, that elevate patient voice without extracting or exploiting lived experience. Importantly, this presentation moves beyond theory to practice. Attendees will learn how narrative-informed strategies can be integrated into maternal health programs, quality improvement initiatives, and care delivery models to improve trust, engagement, and outcomes across the perinatal continuum. By centering the birthing experience as both a clinical and human outcome, this session reframes health equity as not only a measure of survival, but of dignity, agency, and respect in birth.
Speaker:
Neshe Conley, MPH, CHES, Founder/CEO, Ebony Women Health Corp.
- Objective(s)
- Identify at least three gaps in traditional maternal health data systems that obscure the lived birthing experiences of Black women and other women of color.
- Describe how narrative data and storytelling can be ethically collected and translated into actionable insights to improve clinical care, patient trust, and birth outcomes.
- Apply one practical strategy for integrating narrative-informed approaches into maternal health programs, care models, or quality improvement initiatives.
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 10:45 AM
- Description
- Hypertensive-related pregnancy disorders remain one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality both nationally and statewide in North Carolina. Racial health inequities and negative health outcomes are evident, with North Carolina having the 15th highest Black/African American maternal mortality rate in the country with the cause of death being attributed to complications from cardiovascular disease. Conditions such as hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia and gestational diabetes can significantly elevate the risk of cardiovascular complications during and after pregnancy. The built environment (encompassing housing, transportation, access to quality healthcare services, nutrition, and other environmental design) plays a critical role in shaping these heart-related maternal health risks. Factors such as air quality, access to healthcare and other needed resources, housing conditions, and urban infrastructure can either intensify or improve the cardiovascular risks that pregnant women face. The relationship between maternal health and the built environment is a critical area of study that has gained increasing attention over recent years. Understanding how these environmental factors interact with maternal health outcomes can help identify strategies and recommendations for integrating maternal cardiovascular health into urban planning and policy, promoting healthier pregnancies, reducing disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality, and improving overall health outcomes -- particularly among underserved populations. This presentation will aim to 1) Explore the connection between heart-related maternal health risk factors and the built environment; 2) Discuss how environmental stressors such as pollution, lack of access to green spaces, and poor housing quality interact with individual and community-level health outcomes; 3) Examine disparities in maternal heart health - particularly in low-income and marginalized communities; and 4) Explore how improved built environments can reduce the burden of heart-related health issues among pregnant women.
Speakers:
Ashley Carmenia, DHSc, MPH, American Heart Association
Jamaal Smith, MPA, American Heart Association
- Objective(s)
- Acknowledge understanding of the connection between heart-related maternal health risk factors and the built environment
- Verbalize understanding of how improved built environments can reduce the burden of heart-related health issues among pregnant women
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 10:45 AM
- Description
- Postpartum depression remains one of the most common complications of childbearing, yet some women are not identified despite routine screening recommendations. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is widely validated and accessible; however, screening effectiveness is influenced not only by the tool itself but also by environmental context, provider approach, and women's perceptions of safety during disclosure. Evidence indicates that barriers such as limited time, uncertainty about next steps, and fear can prevent meaningful screening practices, even when tools are readily available. This interactive presentation explores how intentional, trauma-informed implementation of the EPDS may improve honest disclosure and early identification of postpartum depression. Drawing from my experiences as a psychiatric mental health nurse and current literature on perinatal psychosocial assessment, the session highlights how factors such as privacy, communication style, timing of assessment, and perceived consequences of disclosure may impact a woman's responses. Studies examining antenatal psychosocial screening demonstrate that some women do not fully disclose sensitive information during face-to-face assessments, particularly those with prior mental health concerns or limited social support, suggesting that the mode of assessment and relational environment significantly affect honesty. Designed for nurses, supportive family members, and other personnel who may administer or receive completed screening tools, this session reframes the EPDS as more than a checklist. Participants will examine common fears that limit disclosure and learn practical strategies that support psychologically safe screening environments. By shifting the focus from task completion to therapeutic engagement, this session aims to enhance early detection of postpartum depression and promote compassionate, person-centered care during a critical period of maternal vulnerability.
Speaker:
Crystal Tucker, RN, M.O.R.E. Lab
- Objective(s)
- Recognize postpartum depression and the purpose of the EPDS
- Identify factors that influence honest disclosure
- Use trauma-informed strategies to support safe screening and follow-up
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 10:45 AM
- Description
- The postpartum period remains a high-risk transition marked by fragmented follow-up and inconsistent reinforcement of warning signs, contributing to preventable emergency department (ED) visits and readmissions. Conditions such as postpartum hypertension, infection/sepsis, hemorrhage-related complications, and perinatal mood disorders frequently emerge after discharge, yet many patients do not receive timely support or clear escalation pathways during the "fourth trimester." This breakout session presents findings and practical lessons from a practice-based evaluation of two post-discharge support approaches aimed at reducing postpartum utilization within 42 days of delivery. Attendees will review the comparative structure and outcomes of (1) community paramedicine postpartum home visits and (2) structured nurse-led follow-up outreach using standardized calls and escalation protocols. The session will highlight what was most feasible and impactful operationally, including patient identification and referral triggers, key assessment domains for outreach (blood pressure symptoms and follow-up, mood and coping red flags, infection warning signs, lactation/feeding concerns, and care coordination barriers), and methods for closing communication loops between inpatient teams, outpatient providers, and community partners. Beyond results, this session emphasizes real-world insights that leaders can translate into improved transition reliability: where breakdowns most commonly occur, which outreach components appear to drive engagement, and how to measure success using practical metrics (ED visits/readmissions, reason-for-return patterns, reach/timeliness of contact, and completion rates). Participants will leave with a concise set of evidence-informed takeaways to strengthen fourth-trimester safety nets and reduce avoidable postpartum utilization while improving patient experience and equity.
Speakers:
Stacy Fackler, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Atrium Health Cabarrus
Jenelle Felton, BSPH, IBCLC, Advocate Health
- Objective(s)
- Explain how gaps in the fourth trimester follow up contribute to unplanned postpartum acute care utilization
- Summarize key outcomes and lessons learned from evaluating two post discharge support approaches (Community Paramedicine home visits and structured Discharge Navigator follow up outreach)
- Identify actionable takeaways to strengthen postpartum transition support in their own setting (high risk triggers, outreach content, escalation pathways)
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 10:45 AM
- Description
- Domestic violence during the perinatal period, encompassing pregnancy through the first year postpartum, remains a critical yet often under-recognized public health issue with profound implications for maternal and infant health. This presentation examines the prevalence, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and health consequences of perinatal domestic violence, while equipping healthcare providers and public health professionals with evidence-informed strategies to identify, support, and protect affected women. Emerging research demonstrates that pregnancy can be a period of heightened vulnerability, with many women experiencing their first episode of violence during this time. Perinatal domestic violence is associated with increased risks of obstetric complications, delayed prenatal care, poor mental health outcomes, substance use, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Despite these risks, disclosure remains low due to fear, stigma, cultural barriers, and limited awareness of available resources. Healthcare settings therefore represent a crucial point of intervention, offering repeated contact with women at a time when they may be more open to support. This presentation will highlight best practices for trauma-informed, culturally responsive screening and response protocols across prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care. Participants will explore practical approaches to creating safe environments for disclosure, integrating validated screening tools, and responding to positive screens with empathy, safety planning, and appropriate referrals. Special attention will be given to the needs of marginalized populations, including adolescents, immigrants, rural communities, and women with limited social support. Additionally, the session will address the broader public health implications of perinatal domestic violence, emphasizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration among healthcare systems, community organizations, social services, and public health agencies. Strategies for strengthening community partnerships, improving data collection, and implementing prevention-focused initiatives will be discussed. By the end of the presentation, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of domestic violence in the perinatal period and acquire actionable tools to enhance early identification, intervention, and coordinated care. Empowering providers to respond effectively not only improves maternal and infant outcomes but also contributes to long-term violence prevention and healthier families.
Speakers:
Jada Charley, JD, Crittenton of North Carolina
Suze Joseph, LCMHC, Crittenton of North Carolina
- Objective(s)
- Identify the different types of domestic violence
- Demonstrate understanding of safety planning and how it is impacted by pregnancy
- Verbalize understanding of tools and a framework for supporting pregnant and post-partum survivors
Afternoon Breakout: Please Select ONE:
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 2:15 PM
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 2:15 PM
- Description
- Maternal health is not shaped by medical care alone - it is deeply influenced by who surrounds, supports, and stands beside a mother during pregnancy, birth, and the months that follow. Fathers and partners are often present during this time, yet they are rarely prepared, welcomed, or empowered as meaningful supports. This gap is especially significant during the first 1,000 days, a critical period for maternal well-being and long-term family health. This session centers fathers and partners as an essential, but often overlooked, source of protection and stability for mothers. Drawing from lived experience as a mother of nine, over five years of training fathers as "Dad Doulas," and full-spectrum doula work within both hospital and community settings, the presenter shares a grounded, culturally responsive approach to family-centered maternal support. Participants will explore the everyday moments where fathers and partners can reduce maternal stress, support emotional well-being, and help mothers navigate complex healthcare systems. The session highlights common cultural and systemic barriers that unintentionally push partners to the sidelines and offers practical, relationship-centered strategies to bring them back into the circle of care, without blame or added burden on providers. Designed for birth workers, healthcare professionals, and families alike, this session bridges community wisdom and professional practice. Attendees will leave with accessible tools and language they can use immediately to strengthen partner engagement and support maternal thriving, not just survival, through pregnancy, postpartum, and the early years of parenting. By reframing fathers and partners as part of the care team, this session offers a more inclusive and supportive vision of maternal health - one rooted in connection, shared responsibility, and community care.
Speakers:
Kelle Pressley, Full Spectrum Doula Trainer, The Pink Grasshopper Full Spectrum Doula & Training Services
Will Bradford, Dad Doula Trainer, The Pink Grasshopper Full Spectrum Doula & Training Services
- Objective(s)
- Identify at least three specific ways father and partner involvement impacts maternal health outcomes during the first 1,000 days, including emotional well-being, care navigation, and continuity of support
- Describe two common systemic or cultural barriers that limit meaningful father and partner participation in maternal care and name one actionable strategy to address each barrier in their professional or family setting
- Apply at least two practical, father-inclusive strategies that support maternal thriving across pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenting without increasing clinical workload
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 2:15 PM
- Description
- Despite major advances in maternal healthcare, most systems remain hospital-centric, with limited continuity of care once families return home. The postpartum period particularly the first three months is a critical window for maternal mental, physical, and emotional health, yet many families experience a sharp drop-off in guidance, reassurance, and access to support. Recent Share the Care survey findings from Philips Avent and March of Dimes confirm that this support gap is both widespread and urgent: • 2 in 3 parents report needing the most help in the first three months postpartum. • 17% of mothers with a child age three or younger report receiving no support beyond their spouse or partner. Among those who did receive support, 42% say it was insufficient. • 93% of mothers of infants or toddlers say self-care is essential, yet 8 in 10 receive less than one hour of personal time per day. Mental and emotional health alongside self-care and recovery emerge as the most significant unmet needs, including postpartum depression, isolation, decision fatigue, and lack of rest. This session explores how maternal health systems can extend meaningful, low-burden support beyond hospital discharge and into everyday life through patient-centered, community-connected models. Using LovEvolve as a case example, this presentation demonstrates how physical products paired with accessible digital resources can function as "care bridges reinforcing education, supporting emotional regulation, and connecting families to trusted services at the moments they need them most. The session highlights scalable, partnership-driven approaches that complement existing clinical care without increasing strain on providers, aligning hospitals, public health agencies, and community organizations around shared maternal health goals.
Speakers:
Lindsay DelGrosso, ACC, MBA, PMP, LSSBB
Katie Kaney, CEO, LovEvolve
- Objective(s)
- Identify and define at least three pillars of respectful care
- Explain how the pillars support respectful care
- Verbalize understanding of tools they can use to promote the practice of respectful care
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 2:15 PM
- Description
- Congenital syphilis (CS) is a preventable infection that occurs when syphilis is passed from an infected mother to the unborn child. CS can lead to miscarriage, blindness, prematurity and stillbirth, or neonatal death. Despite ongoing efforts to encourage timely and effective screening, testing and treatment, the number of congenital syphilis cases continues to rise nationwide. The number of CS cases in the US has nearly tripled in recent years, with more than 4000 cases reported in 2024 alone. In Mecklenburg County, the number of CS cases increased between 2018 and 2024. Minorities and vulnerable population areas were noted to be disproportionately impacted. Mecklenburg County Public Health developed a multi-faceted CS Prevention Strategy which focused on timely screening, testing, and treatment of pregnant, as well as targeted provider and patient education. The strategy leveraged existing public-private partnerships between MCPH and local health care systems and created opportunities to strengthen internal communication and collaboration among MCPH programs. The result was a stronger, more coordinated system of support and care for pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis and a successful reduction in the number CS cases in Mecklenburg County in 2025. This presentation seeks to increase awareness among the target audience of the persistent challenges associated with syphilis and congenital syphilis prevention and educate these stakeholders on their potential role in helping to solve the problem, effectively improving birth outcomes in our community.
Speaker:
Chaquetta Johnson, DNP, MPH, WHNP-BC, Mecklenburg County Public Health
- Objective(s)
- Define syphilis and congenital syphilis
- Discuss the recommended treatment regimen for pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis
- Identify 3 key strategies to prevent congenital syphilis
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 2:15 PM
- Description
- Recent studies indicate a growing number of women are leaving the workforce, with burnout, caregiving demands, and lack of flexibility often cited as primary drivers. In 2025 alone, an estimated 400,000 mothers exited the workforce, marking the steepest decline in maternal workforce participation in 40 years, according to a University of Kansas study. Yet the critical role of maternal mental health in these decisions remains under-examined. This breakout session explores how chronic stress, emotional labor, and unaddressed maternal mental health needs contribute to workforce exit among mothers, framing these decisions not as individual shortcomings, but as responses to unsustainable systems. Drawing from community-based work, facilitated conversations, and maternal mental health advocacy through Rotten Lemons, the session centers the lived experiences of mothers navigating employment, caregiving, and mental wellness. Participants will examine how maternal mental health intersects with workplace culture, social expectations, and access to support, and how these factors influence both short- and long-term wellbeing for mothers and families. The session will conclude with practical, prevention-focused strategies for mental health professionals, employers, and community leaders to better support mothers before burnout leads to workforce exit. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of maternal mental health as a workforce issue and actionable approaches for fostering sustainable support within communities and workplaces.
Speaker:
Crystal Durham, Advocate, CEO/Founder Rotten Lemons
- Objective(s)
- Identify at least three maternal mental health factors contributing to women leaving the workforce, including burnout, chronic stress, and lack of systemic support
- Describe two ways unaddressed maternal mental health impacts workforce retention and family well-being
- Apply at least one community-based or workplace-informed strategy to support maternal mental health and reduce workforce exit among mothers
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 2:15 PM
- Description
- Breastfeeding is often associated with positive messages, but when it becomes painful and unchangeable, mothers are left struggling with more than physical symptoms - they also face challenging emotions and social expectations. Moving past standard reassurances, this discussion addresses the realities mothers encounter when breastfeeding pain cannot be quickly resolved. More than 80% of women in Mecklenburg County initiate breastfeeding, and most can produce enough milk. Yet, many experience significant physical and emotional pain in the first weeks and link breastfeeding to their sense of successful motherhood. During an infant's first six months of life, about half of the women who initiate breastfeeding will stop. The reasons are multifactorial and influenced by the lack of societal and economic support for motherhood. Platitudes like "Breast is best" or "Fed is best" can oversimplify complex emotions. While becoming a new mother is challenging, using such phrases, even with good intentions, may cause mothers to doubt themselves and feel anxious. To address these challenges more meaningfully, we must ask: How can we better recognize and discuss the common problems that make breastfeeding painful? What makes us draw from our own lived experience rather than our knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology? How can we support mothers without resorting to pithy phrases or reductionism? And what are the implications of platitudes when used as a substitute for individualized solutions? This discussion will clarify how platitudes often fail when addressing the emotional and physical difficulties of breastfeeding that do not improve despite effort. We will explore the common problems, examine strategies for practical support, and focus on how our responses shape mothers' self-perception. We aim to encourage meaningful support beyond surface-level reassurances.
Speaker:
Laura Corsig, MPH, IBCLC, PMH-C, Novant Health
- Objective(s)
- Verbalize understanding of how platitudes often fail when addressing the emotional and physical difficulties of breastfeeding
- Recognize common breastfeeding problems and examine strategies for effective support
- Compose responses that allow space for mothers' self-perception to be the central focus
- Status
-
Open
- Date(s)
-
Apr 9, 2026
- Time
- 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Eastern Time
- Check-In Time
- 2:15 PM
- Description
- Postpartum complications contribute to maternal morbidity and mortality, with some warning signs emerging after hospital discharge. The NC Maternal Health Innovation (MHI) program plays a critical role in advancing statewide strategies to improve maternal outcomes by supporting evidence-informed programs, strengthening cross-sector partnerships, and translating Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) recommendations into action. One strategy is the I Gave Birth initiative, a statewide, hospital-based education model designed to increase awareness and timely recognition of postpartum warning signs while strengthening connections between clinical care, public health programs, and community supports. This interactive breakout session will explore how coordinated education and cross-program collaboration can improve postpartum care and outcomes for new mothers. Participants will gain an overview of how MHI leverages partnerships with hospitals, perinatal nurse champions, community champions, community organizations, and state-funded maternal health programs to ensure consistent messaging and reinforce postpartum support beyond discharge. The session will focus on practical implementation strategies, including integrating postpartum warning sign education into hospital workflows, aligning efforts across programs and within the community, and sustaining the initiative across the state. Designed as a highly interactive experience, the session will include hands-on activities and facilitated small-group discussions that guide participants through real-world implementation scenarios. Attendees will assess readiness, identify key partners, and map opportunities to adapt or expand the I Gave Birth model within their own organizations or communities. These activities will help participants translate MMRC recommendations into actionable steps that strengthen postpartum care and improve transitions from hospital to home. By the end of the session, participants will leave with concrete strategies, tools, and implementation insights to support postpartum warning sign education, enhance cross-program collaboration, and advance efforts to improve maternal health outcomes.
Speakers:
Monet Kees, PhD, MPPA, IBCLC, NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health
Desiray Savage, NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health
- Objective(s)
- Identify and describe at least two core implementation elements of the I Gave Birth initiative and explain how each supports postpartum warning sign education across hospital, outpatient, and community settings
- Analyze and compare at least two practical cross-program or cross-sector collaboration strategies that facilitate integration of postpartum warning sign education into existing systems
- Develop an actionable plan outlining at least one adaptation, scaling strategy, or system improvement to strengthen the I Gave Birth model within their own organization, system, or community
