Pregnancy is a time where a woman feels excited but also vulnerable and caring for herself and baby is of the utmost importance. Well College Global offers a range of pregnancy care units that can be used by fitness and health professionals as well as personally. As always it's important to know your scope of practice in the safe application of your knowledge.

Select from the THREE online courses and 2 workshop options below. All units are active for 12 months, longer if you require.

NUTRITION FOR CONCEPTION, PREGNANCY & LACTATION
ONLINE UNIT OF STUDY

The essential dietary, nutritional and lifestyle factors involved in fertility, conception, pregnancy and lactation.  Topics include influences on fertility, understanding conception, timing and conception, reducing the risk of miscarriage, nutritional and lifestyle recommendations and creating a healthy diet to improve conception, safe eating in pregnancy, nutrient requirements post-birth, allergy links, breastmilk production and dietary influences, and much more. This course is ideal for midwives and other health care professionals working in the area of women's health. We have large groups of midwives from numerous women's clinics, fertility clinics and hospitals undertaking this professional training course. Ask about our group training discount.

KEY INFORMATION

BRIEF COURSE OUTLINE

Conception nutrition
Below is a brief view of the main topics covered, however, the course is very detailed and comes with a 190-page text book.
  • Natural fertility
  • Why take the natural approach?
  • Infertility, fertility and conception
  • Why fertility is a problem today
  • Rates of conception
  • Approaches to overcoming infertility
  • Female infertility
  • Male infertility
  • Infertility testing

Understanding conception
  • Female reproductive anatomy and physiology review
  • When the timing is right
  • The female cycle and conception
  • Checking temperature to predict ovulation
  • Pre-conception care, improving fertility and prevention of miscarriage

Diet and nutrition in pre-conception care
  • General recommendation for both prospective parents
  • Importance of a healthy body weight
  • Nutrition and dietary preconception care for women
  • B9/folic acid; Zinc; Vitamin C and  Vitamin E; Iron
  • Preconception care for men
  • Diet, nutrition and lifestyle recommendations
  • Zinc; Selenium and sperm; Vitamin E and antioxidants; Carnitine

PREGNANCY NUTRITION SECTION OUTLINE
Pregnancy nutrition 
  • Weight gain and pregnancy 
  • Nutritional recommendations
  • A special note on teenage pregnancy
  • Is there anything that should be avoided? 
  • Listeria 
  • How many servings of each food group a day? What about fish? 
  • What about the odd tipple? 
  • Eating for two is a fallacy 
  • Additional intake Protein Folic acid (folate) 
  • What about iron? 
  • Iodine Iodine deficiency issues in pregnancy 
  • Not too much vitamin A 
  • Calcium 

LACTATION AND BREASTMILK
Lactation and breastmilk
  • The anti-inflammatory effect of breastmilk 
  • Milk production 
  • Milk quality 
  • Feeding routine 
  • Contraindications to breastfeeding 
  • The importance of breastfeeding 
  • Stages of lactation 
NUTRITION FOR NURSING MOTHERS
Nutrition for nursing mothers 
  • Additional energy requirements 
  • Nutrients and recommended intakes 
  • What about extra calcium? 
  • Fluid Weight loss 
  • Maternal dietary influences 
  • Fish, mercury and breastfeeding 
  • Allergies and the breastfed infant 
  • Keeping the balance when a food group is being avoided 
  • What about a cuppa? 
  • Alcohol and breastfeeding  

PREGNANCY EXERCISE COURSES

LEVEL 1: ONLINE

PREGNANCY & EXERCISE FOR
OPTIMAL OUTCOMES
Level 1 (Online)

We are well aware of the benefits of exercise for the general population, these same benefits also apply to the pregnant woman. It is in an exercise professional's best interest to manage their pregnant clients well, so that they return once the baby is born to get back in shape, and also prepare for any subsequent pregnancies. Therefore it is important to have a sound knowledge base to best serve the client and help maintain their optimal health. No two pregnancies are the same; many are uncomplicated however some encounter complications. This means a sound knowledge base is essential and will help to manage not only the straightforward client, but the more complex one as well. Appropriate exercise prescription is rewarding for both the client and trainer.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Depending on your learning style and other individual factors this online course is expected to take approximately 9 hours of learning time.
 
Upon completion of this program students shall be competent to:
  • List the benefits of exercise for the pregnant woman
  • Name the limitations to exercise for a pregnant woman
  • Describe the effects of pregnancy on the musculoskeletal system
  • List the contraindications to exercise during pregnancy
  • List the signs and symptoms leading to cessation of exercise during pregnancy
  • Understand the effects of exercise on the unborn foetus
  • Manage the risks associated with a raised BMI during pregnancy
  • Define core stability and understand the role of each component and its importance during pregnancy
  • Describe a diastasis of the rectus abdominus muscles and list contributing factors
  • Design and implement an exercise programme for each stage of a woman’s pregnancy
  • Modify a pregnant woman’s exercise programme in line with her individual assessment
  • Assess and advise the pregnant woman regarding good posture and ergonomics
  • Explain the indications for appropriate referral to a medical specialist
COURSE COST
  • Online: $245 AUD
  • Inclusive of materials, resources, certificate and support
DURation of Course
8-10 hours of online study is required to complete this course.
ACCREDITATION & CONTINUING EDUCATION POINTS
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points are offered by the following professional bodies:
  • 4 AUSActive (Fitness Australia) CEC credits (Min. requirement for PTs is Cert IV)
  • Physical Activity Australia:  1 PDP
  • Level B Accreditation - FitRec
  • 9 CPD from ESSA
  • ATMS and ANTA - 6 CPEs
  • Royal Australian College of Nursing - TBA
  • Australian Practice Nurses Association - Maybe applicable for CPE
  • Australian Physiotherapy Association - Accrue one hour for each hour of training
  • Based on our assessment this activity may carry 6 AHPRA CPDs for nurses and midwifery practice, you may be asked to justify these points so please retain all materials.
Assessment requirements
Untimed quiz and short answer questions
Requires 80% pass mark

EXERCISING AFTER PREGNANCY
FOR OPTIMAL OUTCOMES
Level 1 (Online)

It's in an exercise professional's best interest to have a sound knowledge base in order to develop, establish, and be able to modify an excellent postnatal programme. The aim of the programme is to maintain the mothers optimal health after the birth of her baby. Once the baby is born, a mother is usually keen to regain her shape, strengthen her abdominal, back and deep core muscles to help deal with the increased physical activity related to the care of her new baby, and also prepare for any subsequent pregnancies. A thorough understanding of the changes that have occurred to a woman’s body and mind, during pregnancy, and after the delivery of her baby is essential. These changes, which are specific to every woman, guide the trainer in developing an optimal personalised exercise programme.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Depending on your learning style and other individual factors this online course is expected to take approximately 9-11 hours of learning time.
 
Upon completion of this program students shall be competent to:
  • List the benefits of exercise for the post-natal woman
  • Name the limitations to exercise for the post-natal woman
  • Describe the effects of pregnancy and delivery on the musculoskeletal system
  • List the contraindications to exercise after delivery
  • List the signs and symptoms leading to cessation of exercise
  • Assess a postnatal woman’s readiness for exercise, including lumbopelvic stability and posture.
  • Identify symptoms of postnatal pelvic girdle pain.
  • Define core stability and understand the role of each component and its postnatal relevance
  • Describe a diastasis of the rectus abdominus muscles and list contributing factors and know when and how to refer to a medical practitioner or allied health professional.
  • Implement appropriate modifications to exercise for women with identified dysfunctions
  • Assess and advise the postnatal woman regarding good posture and ergonomics
  • Explain the indications for appropriate referral to a medical specialist
COURSE COST
  • Online: $245 AUD
  • Inclusive of materials, resources, certificate and support
DURATION OF COURSE
9-11 hours of online study if required to complete this course.
ACCREDITATION & CONTINUING EDUCATION POINTS
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points are offered by the following professional bodies:
  • 10 CPD from ESSA
  • AUSActive (Fitness Australia) - 4 points (Minimum requirement for PTs is Cert IV)
  • Physical Activity Australia: 1 PDP  
  • Level B Accreditation - FitRec
  • ATMS and ANTA - 6 CPEs
  • Royal Australian College of Nursing - TBA
  • Australian Practice Nurses Association - CPE hours TBA
  • Australian Physiotherapy Association - Accrue one hour for each hour of training
  • Based on our assessment this activity may carry 6 AHPRA CPDs for nurses and midwifery practice, you may be asked to justify these points so please retain all materials.
Assessment Requirements
Untimed quiz and short answer questions
Requires 80% pass mark
COURSE PROVIDER
Both pre and post-natal exercise programme's are provided by Lorraine Starsmeare M.Clin.Physio (Continence and Womens Health), APA Titled Women's Health Physiotherapist. Course author: Lorraine Starsmeare is a co-director of Pilates Physio Style, a successful business grown out of personalising the service and modifying programs in line with the most recent research. Lorraine has had more than 30 years of international experience in the U.S.A, UK and Australia. She has post graduate qualifications in pelvic health and is also a very experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapist. She has worked in both sports and rehabilitation settings, however for the last 20 years has specialised in providing rehab programmes,  particularly for pre and post-natal women. She loves education and sharing her experience and ideas with others.

See full listing of continuing education point courses