Do you know how to...

  • Discuss with clients their individualized needs for trauma informed care?
  • Design a plan with clients to avoid triggers and re-traumatization?
  • Predict how a trauma history may lead to Postpartum Depression, and select assessment tools and appropriate treatment actions?


Learn all that and more!

Check out the full curriculum below for details.

Note: While the course covers issues of general trauma history that will be relevant to previous birth trauma, it does not specifically address previous birth trauma.

This course has been approved by MEAC for 4 hours of continuing education. The approval number for this course is M2122-34-1101DE, and this approval is current through November 30th, 2023.

This course was previously approved by MEAC under approval number M1920-27-1031DE.

Approved for the NARM Midwifery Bridge Certificate, Category 3.

Course curriculum

  • 01
    1: Introduction
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    • 1.1 Welcome!
    • 1.2 Before We Start
    • 1.3 Stories ~ "Janet"
    • 1.4 Stories ~ "Linda"
    • 1.5 Stories - "Valerie"
  • 02
    2: Expanding Our Understanding Of Trauma
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    • 2.1 What is trauma?
    • 2.2 PMD Risk Factors vs Trauma Survivor Data
    • 2.3 A Surprising Discovery in an NIH Study
  • 03
    3: Trauma Sources and Statistics
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    • 3.1 Trauma Statistics By Race
    • 3.2 Domestic Violence, Firearms, and Stalking
    • Printable PDF: Home Firearm Questions
    • Printable PDF: Creating A Safety Plan
    • 3.3 Adult Sexual Violence and Human Trafficking
    • 3.4 Trauma from War and Natural Disasters
  • 04
    4: Identifying Trauma Survivors
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    • 4.1 Developing Options for Disclosure
    • Printable PDF: Developing Intake Questions
    • 4.2 Increasing Voluntary Disclosures
    • Printable PDF: National Resources for Intimate Partner Violence
    • 4.3 Identifying Suspected Trauma Without Disclouse
    • Printable PDF: Identifying Trauma Survivors in the Absence of Disclosure
  • 05
    5: Care During Pregnancy (and preparation for birth)
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    • 5.1 Clinical Presentation by Age and Frequency of Abuse
    • 5.2 Identifying Triggers
    • 5.3 Taking The Punch Out Of Triggers
    • 5.4 Addressing Self-Harm
    • 5.5 Considering Co-Care
    • 5.6 Essential Elements of Care
  • 06
    6: Meeting the Relational Needs of Trauma-Impacted People
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    • 6.1 Why Understanding Relational Needs and Coping Mechanisms Matter
    • Printable PDF: Meeting the Relational Needs of Trauma-Impacted People
    • 6.2 Aggrieved/Adoring
    • 6.3 Submissive
    • 6.4 Crisis Oriented
    • 6.5 Control Driven
    • 6.6 Detatched
    • 6.7 Story of Dissociation at Birth
    • 6.8 Self-Focused
  • 07
    7: After The Birth
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    • 7.1 Postpartum Care
    • Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
    • 7.2 Healing In Community
    • 7.3 Maintaining Your Own Emotional Health
  • 08
    8: Post-Test and CE Certificate
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    • MEAC Evaluation Questions
    • Post-Test

  • Instructor(s)

    Maryl Smith, CPM, LDM, has an active homebirth practice and has been catching babies since 1984. Over the years she has cared for women from over 18 different nations, worked in two free-standing birth centers, taught as adjunct staff at Birthingway College of Midwifery and served in multiple roles in the promotion of midwifery in the state of Oregon. Her passion is supporting trauma survivors during the perinatal experience. Maryl frequently travels the world with her pastor/musician husband working to preserve indigenous spiritual expression in music. Her other activities include adventures with her granddaughters, herb gardening, writing and being active in her local Native American community.

    Maryl Smith

    CPM, LDM

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Take the course, print your CE certificate, retain access for later reference.

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