ONLINE COURSE
Advanced Maternal Blood Work Analysis:
A Functional Medicine Approach for Midwives
Begin the Course
Are you ready to elevate your practice and provide unparalleled care to expectant mothers?
Join me in my comprehensive course "Advanced Maternal Blood Work Analysis."
Designed specifically for midwives and prenatal care providers, this course dives into the intricacies of interpreting blood work from a functional medicine perspective.
What You'll Learn...
Comprehensive Blood Work Analysis
Gain the skills to interpret various blood tests commonly performed during pregnancy, including the complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), iron indices, thyroid labs, and progesterone.
Functional Medicine Biomarkers
Learn how to identify functional medicine patterns and nutritional deficiencies through blood work analysis, and understand the implications for maternal and fetal health.
Practical Applications
Explore real-life case studies and practical scenarios to apply your knowledge effectively in clinical practice
Optional Continuing Education Credits
Earn valuable continuing education credits approved by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC).
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.
Optional
11 MEAC Continuing Education Units
This course has been approved for a total of eleven (11) hours, the equivalent of 1.1 CEUs.
Course Instructor: Sarah Thompson L.Ac., CFMP, Doula
- Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner
- Licensed Acupuncturist
- Birth Doula
Author of:
- Functional Maternity - Using Functional Medicine & Nutrition to Improve Pregnancy & Childbirth Outcomes
- Beyond Results - Practitioner's Handbook to Effective Functional Lab Analysis in Pregnancy (Fall 2024)