March 3rd is World Birth Defects Day - Did you know birth defects rank among the top causes of mortality in infants and young children worldwide, and account for 20% of all infant deaths in the United States? Congenital anomalies spare no one, transcending borders, race, and ethnicity, click here to learn more about rates in Canada.
At RCP, we proudly oversee Nova Scotia's provincial Congenital Anomaly Surveillance System (SCA-NS) and we will unite with the global community on March 3 to shed light on World Birth Defects Day. The theme this year is #EveryJourneyMatters!
Join us in spreading awareness and making a difference! Consider participating in the "8 Seconds for Birth Defects Challenge" and participate in learning opportunities at: World Birth Defects Day
#WorldBDDay, #AwarenessWithoutStigma, @worldbdday (Insta and Twitter)
Save the Date: RCP/Rh Anniversary In-Person Event – RCP would like to share details of the ‘Save the Date’ for the 50th RCP & 60th Rh Program Anniversary In-Person Celebration planned for June. We welcome all perinatal care providers across the province to join us for the celebration event on June 18th from 1-4pm in the Parker Reception Room at the IWK Health Centre. To RSVP for the event email: rcp@iwk.nshealth.ca
Perinatal Orientation eLearning Series: Labour & Birth - RCP’s Labour & Birth eLearning module has recently been updated and has a fresh new appearance. We encourage care providers to check it out on the RCP website.
Upcoming RCP Fetal Health Surveillance Workshops
Fundamentals of FHS:
Date: Tuesday, April 23 & Wednesday, 24, 2024, from 08:30-1300 each day (4.5-hour sessions)
FHS Instructor Workshop:
Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2024 & Wednesday, May 1, 2024, from 0830 to 1300 each day (4.5-hour sessions)
Spaces are limited. Attendance at all the 4 sessions listed above is mandatory.
Skin-to-Skin in the Operating Room - A video about Skin-to-Skin (SSC) practice in the operating room was created in collaboration with care providers from the IWK and RCP. The video provides a step-by-step guide to safely facilitate SSC in the operating room during a cesarean birth. Go to the RCP website to view the video. We hope this video will be helpful to you and your teams as you promote SSC practices in the operating room at your birthing facility.
Smart Parent Pilot - SmartParent is a free evidence-based text messaging program that sends information to achieve a healthy pregnancy and birth, timed and tailored to the specific stage of pregnancy. Funding has been secured for it to be piloted in NS in early 2024 for one year. Stay tuned for more information to come.
Updated Public Health Resources for Parents: Loving Care and Breastfeeding Basics – Public Health Early Years develops the Loving Care and Breastfeeding Basics books, providing advice for parents on how to care for their baby at different ages. Some of the topics include safe sleep, infant feeding, healthy development, safety and more. These resources have recently undergone an extensive update to reflect current Public Health recommendations. New information and resources have also been added, such as the Provincial Immunization Schedule, new guidelines for safer consumption of alcohol, and information about health appointments covered by MSI for vision, dental, hearing and speech. All of the Loving Care and Breastfeeding Basics books are available to download on the Public Health Parenting Supports webpage.
Public Health has also recently introduced a webpage for healthcare providers and community partners, with information on Early Years programs and how to refer. You can view that page and find contact information for your zone’s Early Years team at this link: Early Years | Information and Wellness Portal (nshealth.ca).
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: New Online Course from the SOGC - The Society of Obstetricians & Gynecologists of Canada is offering a new online course - Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Once logged in to SOGC you can register for the course here.
CPS Skin-to-Skin Care Position Statement - The Canadian Pediatric Society has updated their position statement regarding skin-to-skin care for term and preterm infants. The full statement can be found on the CPS website.
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