What You'll Learn...

Course Structure

Session 1: Understanding the Complete Blood Count (CBC) & Iron Values

(4 hours)

Module 1: Inside the Complete Blood Count - White Blood Cell Indices

• Introduction to WBC Indices: Understand the significance of WBC in prenatal care.
• Nutritional Requirements for Healthy WBCs: Discover the essential nutrients necessary for maintaining optimal white blood cell counts and function during pregnancy. 
• Understanding the Differential: Understand the significance of the white blood cell differential in predicting pregnancy complications and maintaining maternity and fetal health.  

Module 2: Red Blood Cell and Platelet Indices

• Introduction to Platelet Analysis: Understand the significance of platelet analysis in maternal health. 
• Platelets in Maternity Care: Understand the pivotal role of platelets in maternal health.
• Platelet Formation: Explore how platelets are formed and regulated in the body.
• Nutrition for Optimal Platelet Health: Discover the importance of nutrition in maintaining healthy platelet counts and function. 
• Introduction to Red Blood Cell Indices: Explore the significance of red blood cell indices in maternity care.
• Significance of RBCs: Explore the crucial role of red blood cells in maternal health.
• RBC Formation: Understand the intricate process of red blood cell formation.
• Nutritional Requirements for Healthy RBCs: Discover the essential nutrients necessary for maintaining optimal red blood cell counts and function during pregnancy.  

Module 3: Iron Indices

• Iron's Vital Role: Understand the critical role of iron in maintaining maternal health.
• Iron Deficiency in Pregnancy: Explore the consequences of iron deficiency during pregnancy.
• Ferritin as an Iron Storage Marker: Learn about ferritin as a crucial marker for iron storage.
• Ferritin Levels and Interpretation: Explore ferritin levels and how to interpret them in the context of maternal health.
• Impact of Ferritin on Pregnancy: Understand how ferritin levels can impact pregnancy outcomes.

Module 4: Patterns of Dysfunction - CBC and Iron Indices

• Identifying Common and Unique Patterns: Apply the presented knowing in understanding patterns in indices presentations 
• Case Study Review: Explore real life cases

Session 2: Decoding the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

(4 hours)

Module 1: Glucose and Electrolytes in Maternity Care

• Interpreting Blood Glucose Levels: Master the skill of interpreting blood glucose levels and recognizing patterns of dysfunction.
• Importance of Electrolyte Balance: Understand the significance of maintaining electrolyte balance during pregnancy.
• Electrolyte Imbalances: Learn to recognize and interpret patterns of electrolyte dysfunction in blood work. 

Module 2: Navigating Kidney Values and Function in Maternity Care

• Understanding Kidney Function: Explore the essential role of the kidneys in maintaining maternal health during pregnancy.
• Maternal Kidney Health: Learn how the functions of the kidneys impact overall well-being in the context of pregnancy.
• The Kidneys in the CMP: Discover the kidney-related components within the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP).
• Markers of Kidney Function: Understand the markers that assess kidney function and health.
• Kidney Values in Maternity Care: Understand the significance of kidney values and their interpretation during pregnancy.
• Analyzing Kidney Function: Master the skill of interpreting kidney values and recognizing patterns of dysfunction.

Module 3: Liver Function and Enzymes in Maternity Care

• Understanding Liver Function: Explore the vital role of the liver in maintaining maternal health during pregnancy.
• Maternal Liver Health: Learn how the liver's functions impact overall well-being during pregnancy.
• The Liver in the CMP: Discover the liver-related components within the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP).
• Markers of Liver Function: Understand the markers that assess liver function and health.
• Liver Enzymes and Maternity Care: Advance your knowledge on the significance of liver enzymes in the context of maternity care.
• Analyzing Liver Enzyme Levels: Master the skill of interpreting liver enzyme levels and recognizing patterns of dysfunction. 

Module 4: CMP Case Study Review

• Types of Dysfunction Patterns: Learn about the various patterns commonly found in the CMP and their clinical implications.
• Case Studies: By combining insights from both the Complete Blood Count (CBC) and the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP), we'll explore the intricate interplay of various indices.

Session 3: Thyroid Panels and Their Clinical Significance

(2 hours)

Module 1: Thyroid Physiology & Interpretation of Thyroid Blood Work

• Comprehend Thyroid Hormones: Understand the roles of thyroid hormones, specifically thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), and their significance in pregnancy.
• Assess Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Learn how to evaluate thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and their implications for thyroid health during maternity.
• Explore Free Thyroxine (FT4): Investigate the clinical importance of free thyroxine (FT4) and its role in assessing thyroid function in pregnancy.
• Understand Thyroid Changes: Gain insights into the natural physiological adaptations of thyroid function that occur during maternity.
• Recognize Maternal and Fetal Implications: Discover how changes in thyroid function impact both maternal well-being and fetal development.

Module 2: Iodine Testing & Patterns of Thyroid Dysfunction

• Importance of Iodine in Thyroid Function: Understanding the crucial role of iodine in maintaining optimal thyroid health.
• Iodine Testing Methods: Exploring different testing methodologies for assessing iodine levels and their relevance in clinical practice.
• Thyroid Antibodies: Identifying and interpreting common thyroid antibodies, such as anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies.
• Hypothyroidism Patterns: Exploring thyroid lab patterns associated with hypothyroidism and its clinical implications.
• Hyperthyroidism Patterns: Investigating thyroid lab patterns indicative of hyperthyroidism and their impact on maternal health.

Session 4: Progesterone Physiology and Lab Interpretations

(2 hours)

Module 1: Progesterone Function and Dysfunction in Pregnancy

• Progesterone in Implantation: Understand the pivotal role of progesterone in the process of implantation during early pregnancy.
• Vascular Health and Progesterone: Explore the impact of progesterone on vascular health, considering its potential effects on blood vessels and circulation.
• Progesterone and Kidney Function: Investigate the relationship between progesterone and kidney function, examining how progesterone may influence renal processes.
• Progesterone's Role in Thyroid Function: Examine the interplay between progesterone and thyroid function, understanding how progesterone levels may affect thyroid hormones.
• Progesterone and Vitamin D: Explore the connection between progesterone and vitamin D, considering potential interactions and effects on overall health.
• Nutrition for Steroidogenesis: Learn about the role of nutrition in supporting steroidogenesis, particularly focusing on dietary factors that contribute to optimal progesterone production.

Module 2: Progesterone Testing & Case Studies

• Research on Progesterone in Pregnancy: Explore the latest research findings on the role of progesterone during pregnancy, including its impact on maternal and fetal health.
• Progesterone Testing: Dive into the methods and significance of progesterone testing during pregnancy, understanding how to interpret results and make informed clinical decisions.
• Case Studies - Applying Knowledge: Engage in practical case studies that integrate the research findings and progesterone testing insights, allowing for the application of knowledge in real-life scenarios.