Nourishment Essentials for the Pregnancy & Postpartum Professional

Course Description:

This educational opportunity is designed for the professional partnering with women during pregnancy and post-partum.  Participants will gain understanding of the interconnected nature of digestion, nourishment, human health and well-being.

Essential elements of digestion will be discussed along with practical suggestions for supporting this process.  Further, we will cover topics related to nourishment across the entire lifespan to generate perspective and inspire action in both professionals and the clients we serve.

Particular emphasis will be placed upon nutritional factors affecting fertility, pregnancy-related outcomes, and the mother-baby-family unit during the post-partum period and beyond.  Course is instructed by Megan Pribyl, PT, CMPT, CMTPT with Cultured Foods Lab by Stephanie Novacek, PT, DPT.

Course Schedule (6.5 hours CEU credit)

8:45    Gather & Welcome

9:00    Introduction to Nourishment Essentials for the Pregnancy & Postpartum Professional

9:15    Digestion Essentials

10:15  Break

10:30  Digestion Perspectives Lab Demonstration

11:00  Interconnected Systems,  HPA Axis Regulation, and the “Optional Body Processes”

12:00   Lunch

12:30  Cultured Foods Lab Demonstration

1:30  Topics in Lifespan Nutrition  Part 1:  Fertility to Childhood

2:45  Break

3:00  Topics in Lifespan Nutrition Part 2:  Adolescence to Adulthood

3:45  Intentional Nourishment

4:15  Questions / Discussion

4:30 Adjourn

Course Objectives:

1. Explain components of the digestive & endocrine systems that relate to the interplay of the neurological and immune systems, hormone and enzyme production, and gut flora.
2. Describe concepts of digestive care and proper food preparation.
3. Describe the importance of macronutrients, micronutrients, and hydration for both mother and baby during stages of fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum.
4. Define “optional body processes” as described in this course.
5. Detail nutritional impacts on reproductive outcomes and mental health status.
6. Describe how nourishment affects health status, HPA-axis regulation, and neurological function across the lifespan from infancy and childhood to adolescence and adulthood.
7. Explain the health care provider’s role in drawing awareness to interoception and its impact on nutritional choices.

Instructor Bio:

Megan Pribyl, PT, CMPT, CMTPT is a practicing physical therapist at Olathe Health and is a professional instructor teaching nationally for Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehab Institute based in Seattle, WA.  She began her PT career in 2000 after graduating from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center with her Masters of Science Degree in Physical Therapy. Prior, she earned her Dual-Degree in Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (B.S. Foods & Nutrition, B.S. Kinesiology) in 1998 from Kansas State University.  She has furthered her education by becoming a pelvic rehab specialist, certified in orthopedic manual therapy through NAIOMT, and is also certified in dry needling through Myopain Seminars.

In the clinic, Megan is an integrative physical therapist who treats a diverse outpatient population in orthopedics & pelvic rehabilitation with the care of the whole individual paramount.  As an instructor she both teaches and creates continuing education courses for health care providers including a 2.5 day course “Nutrition Perspectives for the Pelvic Rehab Therapist” available remotely through Herman & Wallace (hermanwallace.com)  as well as several short course options locally and virtually.  In addition, she is a contributing author to “Goodman & Fuller’s Pathology:  Implications for the Physical Therapist”  and regularly contributes content in both digital and print format.