Authors: Rachel L Bank; Madeline Mckenna; Jane Corteville, MD; Emily Hamburg-Shields, MD, PhD 

Introduction: The importance of postpartum follow-up care is widely recognized. Patients whose pregnancies are complicated by fetal anomalies may encounter unique challenges and barriers to obtaining routine postpartum care. We sought to evaluate the characteristics of patients whose pregnancies are complicated by fetal anomalies with respect to postpartum office visit attendance. 

Authors: Amy E. Baughcum, PhDa, b; Olivia E. Clark, MAc; Stephen Lassen, PhDd; Christine A. Fortney, PhD, RNe; Pamela A. Geller, PhDf, g; Chavis Patterson, PhDg; Cynthia A. Gerhardt, PhDa,b,c,h 

aDivision of Psychology and Neuropsychology, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH; bDepartment of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH; cCenter for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH; dUniversity of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS; eMartha S. Pitzer Center for Women, Children & Youth, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH; fDrexel University, Philadelphia, PA; gThe Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; hDepartment of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 

Introduction: Research suggests families whose infants are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) experience elevated distress and may have pre-existing risk factors for maladjustment. This study sought to validate the newly developed Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT-NICU/Cardiac Intensive Care Unit CICU), a comprehensive screening measure for family psychosocial risk in the NICU. 

Authors: Agustina Bertone, PhD, Sierra Kuzava, PhD, Karolina Grotkowski, PhD, Catherine Mogil, PsyD 

Background: Perinatal medical teams serve a unique role, as caring for a pregnant person entails caring for a newborn and equipping the family to provide a nurturing environment for their infant. Although family-centered care is considered the gold standard, many medical providers face challenges upholding this standard of care. Additionally, medical teams working in high-stress environments face a tremendous number of challenges, including burnout, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and low job satisfaction (Mealer et al., 2007; Myhren et al, 2013; Poncet et al., 2007). These stressors may hinder care providers’ ability to prioritize family involvement, especially when something might be seemingly simpler or more efficient for the providers to do themselves. Further, many medical professionals report not receiving adequate training in psychosocial issues and do not feel properly equipped to recognize and manage these concerns. Nonetheless, families in medical settings often look to their medical staff for guidance and education on how to best support the birth of their child and medical needs they may have. 

Authors: Chase Binion, BS1,2, Divya Mallampati, MD, MPH3, Mary Faith Marshall, PhD, HEC-C4, Anne Lyerly, MD, MA5 

1University of North Carolina School of Medicine; 2University of Virginia, Department of Surgery; 3University of California San Francisco, Department Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine; 4University of Virginia, Center for Health Humanities and Ethics; 5University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Social Medicine and Center for Bioethics 

INTRODUCTION: Prenatal intervention and maternal-fetal surgery (MFS) encompass a specialized set of novel procedures and surgeries aimed to correct or mitigate the progression of specific congenital anomalies. Since the Supreme Court decision in June 2022 in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, an increase in restrictions around access to abortion care for many patients has raised pressing ethical questions around the clinical offering and practice of MFS. As some of the premier fetal care centers in the country are within states now restricting or banning abortions, it is important for providers and pregnant patients to understand what is clinically, legally, and ethically permissible and the discrepancies between them. Furthermore, if the field of MFS is to expand in a climate of increasing polarization around reproductive care, providers must understand the factors influencing patient enrollment and research funding for the specialty. Here, we detail the ethical considerations present for MFS patients and providers and offer actionable recommendations for clinical practice. 

Authors: Alexa Bonacquisti, PhD1, Julia Milliken1, Tori Abdalla1, Begum Slayyeh1, Alexandra Keresztesy1, Elizabeth Becks, MA2 

1 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; 2 Holy Family University 

Background: Improving psychological adjustment and support among women in the postpartum period has great personal and public health significance, with the potential to improve quality of life and functioning for women, children, and families. Despite growing recognition of this need, availability and accessibility of specialized postpartum treatments remain limited, particularly in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lack of in-person treatment options. This project sought to address this need through the development and evaluation of a postpartum psychosocial support program that is delivered in a virtual format. The purpose of the project was two-fold: (1) to develop a structured treatment manual for an innovative program, based upon principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and (2) to assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the program and the virtual delivery format through a pilot study of postpartum women. 

Authors: Alexa Bonacquisti, PhD1, Ryanne Schaad, MS1, Elizabeth Greco1, Chloe Hriso1, Chavis A. Patterson, PhD2, Pamela A. Geller, PhD3 

1Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; 2Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3Drexel University 

Introduction: A growing body of research suggests that an infants’ admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is associated with adverse maternal mental health outcomes. Maternal attitudes, adjustment to motherhood, social support, and health behaviors may be important modifiable factors that could improve quality of life and well-being among NICU mothers. The current study examined the relationships among maternal attitudes, adjustment to motherhood, health behaviors, social support, and psychological functioning in NICU mothers. 

Authors: Peggy Burke, BS¹, Pamela A. Geller, PhD^1,2, John Chuo, MD, MPH², Chavis Patterson, PhD² 

¹Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Drexel University; ²Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia 

Authors: Danielle Cooke, Jessalyn Kelleher, Jack Dempsey, & Allison G. Dempsey 

Background: Parents of preterm or medically complex infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) experience intense disruption in their parenting role, which can adversely impact the parent-infant relationship and engagement (1). Parents report struggling with the loss of control and trauma associated with a NICU stay and can be hesitant to visit their infant (2). Interventions in the NICU that promote parental presence at bedside and care of infants have been shown to improve medical variables such as weight gain and successful breastfeeding (3-5), length of stay (4,6), and decreased mortality (5). 

Authors: Sarah Copple MSN, RNC-MNN, C-ONQS and Catherine Hill APRN, FNP-BC 

Background: Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) is an approach to care that emphasizes the fundamental rights of women, newborns, and families, promoting equitable access to evidence-based care while recognizing unique needs and preferences (Shakibazadeh et al., 2018). Attitudes and behaviors of health care providers are entrenched in cultural norms, and implicit and explicit bias may cause unintended harm during patient interactions (Howell et al., 2018). These factors may lead to harmful consequences and place patients at greater risk for not receiving appropriate attention to address individual concerns or quality of care, specifically in the intrapartum and postpartum periods (Levine & Lowe, 2015; Miller et al., 2016; Saluja & Bryant, 2021). 

Authors: R. Elgren PT, DPT; L. Conradt PhD; L. Liszka OTD, OTR/L; K. Athavale MD; M. Cotten MD, MHS 

Background: With the evolution of standardized NICU care over the past 10 years, there has been a significant improvement in survival rates among preterm infants born at early gestational ages. However, very preterm infants, infants born <32 weeks gestational age, remain at very high risk for neurodevelopmental challenges, including cerebral palsy, sensory processing difficulties, feeding difficulties, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Research has demonstrated that early experiences in the neonatal period impacts synaptogenesis and neuronal myelination, furthermore speaking to the impact of the neonatal intensive unit on early brain development. The Neonatal Integrative Developmental Care model emphasizes close attention to optimization and positivity surrounding experiences in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and has been found to improve both neonatal and neurodevelopmental outcomes. This theoretical model defines seven core neuroprotective measures that provide structure and organization to how a unit may carry-out neuroprotection practically in daily, clinical practice. 

Presenters: Deitre Epps, Lead Evaluator; Maya Jackson, Lived Experience Advisory Group member; Courtnie Carter, Lived Experience Advisory Group 

Introduction: The Maternal Telehealth Access Project (MTAP) aimed to increase access to virtual perinatal services during the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting women at greatest risk of maternal mortality and morbidity, including people who were pregnant and giving birth who are people of color, and people who live in rural and frontier communities. The lead evaluator, RACE for Equity, developed an equitable, results-based evaluation approach incorporating the Results Based Accountability framework and principles of Culturally Responsive Evaluation. These frameworks were applied to understand and to measure how well the MTAP met the needs of intended communities. A critical part of the approach included engaging community members in the Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG). The LEAG provided key information and recommendations to the evaluation and program teams to support program improvement and quality, useful, and credible evaluation findings. 

Authors: Sharon Ettinger¹, Margaret Kyle², Morgan Firestein³, Maha Hussain², Jennifer Barbosa³, Vanessa Babineau¹, Dani Dumitriu^2,3, Catherine Monk^1,3 

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY; ²Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY; ³Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 

Introduction: Maternal stress and postpartum bonding difficulties were elevated during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (Fernandes et al., 2021; Iyengar et al., 2021; Kornfield et al., 2021). The current study aims to examine whether (1) timing of birth (TOB) during the COVID-19 pandemic predicted maternal-reported postpartum bonding difficulties at 4 months postpartum, (2) maternal postpartum stress mediated this effect, and (3) prenatal pandemic-related experiences mediated the effect between TOB and postpartum bonding difficulties. 

Authors: Sharon Ettinger¹, Pamela A. Geller¹, Leah Sodowick¹, Barbara Posmontier², June Horowitz³ 

¹Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA; ²Jefferson College of Nursing, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA; ³College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA 

Introduction: Mother Baby Connections (MBC) is an interdisciplinary, intensive outpatient perinatal mental health program that was initiated in December 2015 at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to treat postpartum women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and their infants. Employing a theoretical framework based on the Social Energy Exchange theory for postpartum depression (SEED) (Posmontier & Waite, 2011), MBC integrates a range of therapeutic approaches to optimize maternal functioning and promote biopsychosocial and cultural wellbeing (Geller, Posmontier, Horowitz, Bonacquisti, & Chiarello, 2018). Previously published pilot outcome data has shown improvements in depressive symptoms, maternal functioning, parental stress, perceived stress, emotional regulation, and dyadic adjustment over the course of treatment in the program between December 2016 and August 2018 (Geller et al., 2018). With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, MBC has continued to provide treatment for perinatal women via telehealth services. Preliminary findings have shown that the transition from in-person to telehealth sessions increased accessibility and patient attendance, particularly for underserved women (Ma, Posmontier, Horowitz, & Geller, 2022). The purpose of this presentation is to present updated outcome data, inclusive of pandemic years, to further assess the efficacy of MBC in improving the health and wellbeing of mothers with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and their infants. 

Authors: Elizabeth Fischer, Amy Heffelfinger, Jennifer Koop, Katherine Carlton, Lauren Miller, Samuel Adams, Stacy Stibb, Andrew Foy, and Susan Cohen 

Background: Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization and discharge of medically complex infants is associated with increased risk for parental depression, anxiety, and trauma. Complex infants and their families are subsequently referred to NICU follow-up clinics for developmental screening and medical referrals. Over the last five years, follow-up clinics have started to incorporate screens for social determinants of health (SDoH) and mental health. Social and psychological risk factors create barriers to consistent follow-up attendance and limit access to optimal medical and psychological care. Clinic attrition may exacerbate known parental stress, distress, and mental health concerns associated with caring for a child with complex medical needs. 

Author: Ashley Flowers , MS, MHW 

Contact: Ashley Flowers, Program Manager / Lead, Service for Children with Disabilities, 2850 N. 24th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85008

Authors: Linda S. Franck, RN, PhD1; Caryl L. Gay, PhD¹; Thomas J. Hoffmann, PhD²; Rebecca M. Kriz, MS¹; Robin Bisgaard, MS³; Diana M. Cormier, DNP⁴; Priscilla Joe, MD5; Brittany Lothe, MA⁶; Yao Sun, MD⁷ 

¹Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA; ²Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Office of Research, School of Nursing, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA; ³Intensive Care Nursery, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA; ⁴NICU and Pediatrics, Community Regional Medical Center, Fresno, CA, USA; ⁵Division of Neonatology, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA, USA ; ⁶Will’s Way Foundation, Chicago, IL, USA; ⁷Division of Neonatology, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA 

Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03418870 

Background: Involvement in caregiving and tailored support services may reduce the risk of mental health symptoms for mothers after their preterm infant’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) discharge. We aimed to compare Family-Centered Care (FCC) with mobile-enhanced Family-Integrated Care (mFICare) on maternal mental health symptoms. 

Authors: Linda S. Franck, RN, PhD¹; Christine Hodgson, RN, PhD¹; Caryl L. Gay, PhD¹; Thomas J. Hoffmann, PhD²; Rebecca M. Kriz, MS¹; Robin Bisgaard, MS³; Diana M. Cormier, DNP⁴; Priscilla Joe, MD⁵; Brittany Lothe, MA⁶; Yao Sun, MD⁷ 

¹Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA; ²Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Office of Research, School of Nursing, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA; ³Intensive Care Nursery, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA; ⁴NICU and Pediatrics, Community Regional Medical Center, Fresno, CA, USA; ⁵Division of Neonatology, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA, USA ; ⁶Will’s Way Foundation, Chicago, IL, USA; ⁷Division of Neonatology, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA 

Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03418870 

Background: Family-centered care for preterm infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is widely acknowledged as the standard of care yet remains inconsistently implemented in NICUs in the United States. The objective of this study was to evaluate the experiences and degree of acceptance by registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians who used the mobile-enhanced Family Integrated Care (mFICare) program for preterm infants in their NICU. 

Abstract Title: Family Integrated Care Interventions May Improve Preterm Outcomes Compared with Family-Centered Care in U.S. NICUs 

Authors: Linda S. Franck, RN, PhD1; Caryl L. Gay, PhD¹; Thomas J. Hoffmann, PhD²; Rebecca M. Kriz, MS¹; Robin Bisgaard, MS³; Diana M. Cormier, DNP⁴; Priscilla Joe, MD⁵; Brittany Lothe, MA⁶; Yao Sun, MD⁷ 

¹Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA; ²Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Office of Research, School of Nursing, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA; ³Intensive Care Nursery, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA; ⁴NICU and Pediatrics, Community Regional Medical Center, Fresno, CA, USA; ⁵Division of Neonatology, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA, USA ; ⁶Will’s Way Foundation, Chicago, IL, USA; ⁷Division of Neonatology, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA 

Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03418870 

Background: Family Integrated Care (FICare) benefits preterm infants compared with Family-Centered Care (FCC), but research is lacking in United States (US) Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). We compared preterm weight and discharge outcomes between FCC and mobile-enhanced FICare (mFICare). 

Authors: Pamela A. Geller, PhD¹; June Andrews Horowitz, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN²; Bobbie Posmontier, PhD, CNM, PMHNP-BC, FAAN³; Mona Elgohail, PhD⁴; Tony Ma, MS⁴; Katie Chang, MS⁴; Kayla Alvares, MS, PhD Candidate² 

¹Drexel University; ²University of Massachusetts Dartmouth; ³Thomas Jefferson University; ⁴Benten Technologies 

Background: MommaConnect, a mobile health application, aims to reduce postpartum depression symptoms and improve mother-infant interaction. Without treatment, postpartum depression increases the risk for poor mother-infant interaction, reduced infant safety measures, decreased breastfeeding, chronic depression, maternal functional impairment, and suicide. Postpartum depression presents long-term risks to infant neurobehavioral development. Women with postpartum depression often face significant barriers to treatment access, such as stigma, childcare, and transportation. MommaConnect aims to provide accessible and effective delivery of tailored treatment. MommaConnect integrates two evidenced-based therapies (Interpersonal Psychotherapy and Mother Baby Interaction Therapy) to address postpartum depression and impaired mother-infant interaction. MommaConnect is being co-created with mothers and mental health providers to ensure that the design reflects their shared experiences and challenges. 

Authors: Imogen F. Gillgrass and Jasmine Graham, PhD 

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a general clinical term used to describe the impact of discontinued exposure to substances in utero, is among the key public health issues impacting perinatal well-being (Jilani, Davis, Jordan, & Jansson, 2021). This study explores the best practices related to neonatal health by examining the treatment of NAS after birth and how it affects the length of stay in hospitals. Recognizing the broad scope of NAS, this study specifically examines in-utero opioid exposure. 

Author: Jasmine Graham, PhD 

Introduction: Mental health issues are among the most common morbidities of pregnancy and childbirth and include perinatal substance use disorders and mood disorders such as perinatal anxiety and depression. Perinatal mental health concerns also contribute to maternal mortality. Overdose and suicide are the leading causes of death in the first year postpartum. Biospychosocial demands of pregnancy, childbirth, and mothering may exacerbate maternal mental health issues. Biological factors include genetic predisposition toward addiction or mental illness, physiological changes, and hormonal shifts that occur during the perinatal period. Psychological challenges include prolonged stress and trauma. Social considerations include community, the quality and frequency of prenatal care, perinatal or pre-existing medical issues, and intimate partner violence. In consideration of biology specifically, while genetic heredity can be an important predictor of mental health or substance use, genetics are not the sole determinant to maternal mental health outcomes. Rather, environmental contributions along with genetics provide a better indicator of maternal mental health outcomes. This study examined environmental factors believed to contribute to genetic expression of addiction among women within the perinatal period.

Authors: Sierra Kuzava, PhD; Agustina Bertone, PhD; Karolina Grotkowski, PhD; Catherine Mogil, PsyD 

Background: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) providers are tasked with both caring for the infant and preparing their caregivers to support and nurture their child. To complicate matters, more than 20% of parents with a medically ill child experience depression, anxiety, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder within the infant’s first year life (Hynan, Mounts, & Vanderbilt, 2013), which can have negative downstream effects on the child’s socioemotional development. To help infants and families thrive and set them up for long-term developmental success, NICUs must offer multi-tiered approaches to equip staff with education about parental mental health and support families using an accessible and flexible approach during this critical period. 

Author: Hisham Nsier 

Principal Investigator: Pamela Geller, PhD 

Introduction: The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is known to be a physically and psychologically stressful work environment. NICU staff are tasked with monitoring acutely ill infants while also providing support to each other and to parents, who are often traumatized by the reality of their infant requiring intensive care. The burden of providing such a range of support contributes to the experience of vicarious trauma and toxic stress by NICU staff. The aim of this scoping review is to explore the state of the current research literature regarding stress responses in NICU medical providers associated with job-related exposures. 

Presented by: Heather Olivier, LPC, PMH-C, CCTP, NCC 

*Heather is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of New Orleans. The abstract outlines the study currently being conducted. The dissertation study will be defended prior to March 1, 2023. 

Introduction: Perinatal loss (i.e., miscarriage, stillbirth, termination, and infant death) is commonly referred to in the literature as an invisible loss, non-loss, and even medical event. It is an ambiguous loss exhibiting the dialectical contradiction between the physical absence and psychological presence of the baby accompanied by disenfranchised grief, a reaction to a loss that is unacknowledged by society. Despite the likelihood of mental health clinicians working with clients who have experienced perinatal loss, there has yet to be a therapeutic model designed specifically for the unique grief and trauma reactions presented in this population. Existing grief models do not address the traumatic nature of the loss, and oppositely, trauma models do not address the life-long grief symptoms experienced subsequent to perinatal loss. Lack of clinical trainings and cultural norming processes that do not acknowledge the significance of the loss leave clinicians without resources, tools, and interventions to effectively work with this population. Thus, the purpose of the study is to co-construct a therapeutic model to utilize when working with perinatal loss clients. 

Authors: Heather Olivier, LPC, PMH-C, CCTP, NCC and Victoria Rodriguez, LPC, CCTP, NCC 

Background: Defined as the period of time from pre-conception through one year after birth, the perinatal period is shown to have a high correlation between physical health issues and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Medical trauma can occur after a medical crisis or event such as pregnancy, birth, termination, and loss with people socialized as women. Individuals within marginalized groups are more likely to report symptoms of PTSD related to traumatic medical experiences. Other risk factors, such as poor social supports, pre-existing physical and mental health issues, chronic pain, and low socioeconomic status can also be related to medical trauma. Those who experience a medical crisis are 12% more likely to develop PTSD while those who have stayed in the ICU could be 15% more likely to develop PTSD. Medical trauma experienced in the perinatal period extends beyond the traumatic event(s), appearing in the research as impacting the overall reproductive health of the family system. As such, it is vital to view reproductive health within the frameworks of the family system, cultural system, and societal system. 

Authors: Denise Marion B. Paed1; Katelyn Phan¹; Leah B. Sodowick, B.A.¹; Pamela A. Geller, PhD^1,2 

¹Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA; ²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 

Introduction: As more parents elect to have genetic testing, there is an increasing need to provide parents with resources and support to help them make informed decisions. Prenatal genetic testing has been described as “preference-based health care” (Parens and Applebaum, 2019). Trends have shown that about half of expecting parents chose to undergo testing whether it be noninvasive or invasive (Clark et al., 2022). Parents cite that they would like to be “prepared” as one of the main reasons they choose to have prenatal genetic testing (Michie, 2020). Studies have shown that parents would rather be informed about possible genetic abnormalities than not be informed (van Der Steen et al., 2016). 

Authors: Nicholas Powers¹, Sharon Ettinger², Pamela A. Geller² 

¹La Salle University, Department of Clinical Psychology; ²Drexel University, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences 

Introduction: Pregnancy loss can be a devastating experience that places individuals at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Kersting & Wagner, 2012). Researchers have noted the risk of miscarriage to be up to 15%, with approximately 23 million miscarriages occurring annually on a global scale (Quenby et al., 2021). Further, the prevalence of pregnancy loss varies by demographic factors, with Black women assigned female at birth (AFAB) being the most susceptible to pregnancy loss in comparison to any other racial group (Taylor et al., 2020). Given that Black women AFAB are twice as likely to endorse perinatal psychological conditions in comparison to White women (Taylor & Gamble, 2017), further research that explores variables that may buffer the development of PTSD after pregnancy loss for these women is warranted. 

Author: Ashley Schmuke, MSN, RNC-OB 

Introduction: Pregnancy-associated cancer occurs in approximately one per 1,000 pregnancies. Approximately 25% of those pregnancy-associated cancers are diagnosed during pregnancy. Although rare, the occurrence of cancer during pregnancy (CDP) represents a scientific and philosophical paradox; new life and the threat of death exist simultaneously. While researchers tend to focus on physiological maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes, the medical gaze does not address individual’s experience of CDP. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of those diagnosed with CDP, including how individuals take up becoming a mother/parent; how their concerns, priorities, coping skills, relationships, and sense of future are altered by the cancer diagnosis and treatment; and how health care professionals impact their experiences. 

Authors: Leah B. Sodowick, B.A.1; Alison R. Hartman, M.S.¹; Chavis Patterson, PhD²; & Pamela A. Geller, PhD ¹ 

¹Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA; ²Division of Neonatology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 

Introduction and Background: In 2021, Drexel University’s chapter of the National Perinatal Association Student Society (NPASS) was established as the first and only chapter of the national society that is based in a psychology department rather than a medical school. Drexel’s NPASS chapter functions as part of the Maternal and Child Health Student Organization at Drexel’s Dornsife School of Public Health, which has presented valuable opportunities for interdisciplinary student collaboration. In May 2022, Drexel’s NPASS chapter collaborated with the Maternal and Child Health Student Organization to host a film screening and discussion event for the documentary film Year One, by Erin Bagwell. Year One provides a firsthand look at postpartum depression and the motherhood journey. This poster will present details about this film screening event and highlight how film can be a useful tool for raising awareness about perinatal mental health and sparking the rich dialogue that is necessary for generating practice, policy, and research ideas and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Authors: Kristin P. Tully, PhD^1-2; Shilpa M. Darivemula, MD³; Alison M. Stuebe, MD, MSc^1-2; Kelley E.C. Massengale, PhD, MPH⁴ 

¹ Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of OBGYN, UNC Chapel Hill; ² University of North Carolina Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health, Chapel Hill, NC; ³ Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of OBGYN, UNC Chapel Hill; ⁴ Diaper Bank of North Carolina, Durham, NC 

Corresponding author: Kristin.Tully@unc.edu 

This is original research that has not been presented elsewhere. This research was supported by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) through grant R18HS027260. We thank Marina Pearsall for project management. We are grateful to participants for their time and willingness to share their experiences. Drs. Tully and Stuebe are inventors on a patented medical device, which is not addressed in this research study or abstract. The other authors report no conflicts of interest. 

Author: Sister Paula Ude, DSW, LMSW 

Background: Help-seeking reduces perinatal mothers’ risk of health and mental health complications (PSI, 2022; WHO, 2019). Although many mothers seek perinatal help during and after pregnancy, many are reluctant to return to help-seeking after they deliver their baby, especially to seek postpartum mental health help (Gardner et al., 2013; Park et al., 2017). This unwillingness to seek and return to help is prevalent among immigrant mothers (Blizsta et al., 2010; Gardner et al., 2013; Park et al., 2017). Among other contributing factors to the lack of help-seeking among perinatal mothers, the professional-client interpersonal relationship is highlighted as an overarching emerging theme (Blizsta et al., 2010; Mickelson et al., 2017). 

This presenter believes that integrating a model that would dismantle any factors that bridge the effective communication between healthcare professionals and perinatal mothers during the interaction will be valuable. With this, this presenter recommends Cultural Competemility and professionalism. This model was presented at Postpartum Support International 35th Conference on July 16, 2022 and was invited by one of the National Perinatal Association (NPA) staff executives to submit a poster presentation abstract for this upcoming NPA 2023 conference.