TİKA Supported the 5th International Congress on Childbirth and Postpartum Period

The 5^th International Congress on Childbirth and Postpartum Period was held by the Inherent Birth Association with the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, Private Koru Hospital, the Anatolia Midwives Association, UNFPA, and PUDER. The Congress was attended by Turkish and foreign physicians and midwives.

Held in Bolu from February 17 to 22, 2022, the Congress started with a workshop on the evaluation of the relational health outcomes of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period. During the workshop; pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum period, and medicolegal issues were discussed in 4 groups. Each group identified the relevant problems and their causes, proposed solutions, and developed strategies to adopt them.

At the Congress, in addition to the current scientific program, it was stressed that childbirth processes and maternity services are at the basis of a healthy society. Furthermore, the problems that may arise in the coming years in case the increase in C-section rates is not prevented, and potential solutions to these problems, as well as the past, present, and future of midwifery, its importance in childbirth processes, the changing roles of midwives, and scientific evidence were discussed.

8 separate training courses held for physicians and midwives as part of the Congress were successfully completed. These courses included the “Training Course for Midwives on the Use of Ultrasonography in the Delivery Room,” which was the first training course held on this matter in Türkiye and was attended by a large number of trainees.

A total of 483 Turkish and foreign people attended the congress, where 126 speakers provided information on the latest developments. 114 oral paper presentations, including 62 face-to-face and 52 online presentations, and 21 poster presentations were given at the Congress. Furthermore, a total of 13 sessions, 2 panels, and 4 satellite symposia were held.

Women’s health and childbirth processes in our country and around the world, fertility and pregnancy follow-ups in the migrant population, and the current problems and future of obstetricians and midwives were discussed on the first day of the congress.

Then, the Neurobiology of Motherhood, the Emotional Synchronization between Mothers and their Babies, Mental Preparation for Pregnancy and Parenthood, Support for the Connection between Mothers and their Babies during Pregnancy, and the steps to be followed for a healthy and functioning relationship between mothers, babies, and healthcare providers were emphasized.

On the second day, labor pain and psychosocial aspects of epigenetics were discussed, and the participants were informed about the latest developments in the prediction and management of high-risk pregnancies.

The current developments in vaginal birth after cesarean, which is now being discussed more frequently, were described under the title of “Once a Cesarean, Always a Cesarean?” Furthermore, midwifery approaches and their impact on maternal and infant health were examined.

On the third and fourth days, speakers held interactive panels to discuss labor induction and assistance for labor, the planning and management of labor induction, different approaches to cases at different centers, challenges in obstetrics, and the question of whether our approach is affected by the circumstances. Moreover, the participants were informed about current practices, evidence, and approaches.