Management of Childbearing with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders
- Duration: 60 Mins
- Credits: 1 CERP, 1 R-CERP, 1 Nurse Contact Hours, 1 CME, 0.1 Midwifery CEU, 1 ACM CPD Hours, 1 ACNM
- Handout: Yes
Abstract:
It is thought that hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) are not rare, and yet they are rarely diagnosed. As these conditions affect connective tissue throughout the body they can have a profound impact upon those childbearing, where the human body goes through a multitude of changes in response to pregnancy and birth. They can also impact on the newborn. In order to provide guidance where currently there is none, an international group of patients and academic and clinical experts came together to co-create evidence-based international guidelines for the management of these conditions in pregnancy, birth and beyond. Guidelines include the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods, and touch on a range of evidence in this field. The lived experiences of those childbearing with hEDS/HSD also demonstrate how clinicians can make a real difference to outcomes and experiences, yet clinicians often express a need for more knowledge and education in this area. It is hoped that these guidelines will be used by clinicians and birthing people to facilitate evidence-based decision making in this area for improved outcomes and experiences overall.
Learning Objectives:
1. Define hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) and their prevalence.
2. Explain 2 ways hEDS/HSD may affect those childbearing and their infants.
3. Identify 3 key research findings pertaining to childbearing with hEDS/HSD.
4. Describe how childbearing with hEDS/HSD may be managed in line with newly co-created evidence based guidelines.
