August 23rd 2011

All agree that every precious baby deserves the best possible start in life. But what is the best possible start and when does that start begin – before or after birth? With all that we already know and understand about pregnancy and infant development, do we truly understand the obstacles and opportunities at the heart of raising a child to its full potential?

This public lecture traces the journey of a child from the moments before conception to its first years as an infant. It considers the complex influences at work on mother and child such as fear, anxiety, social expectations and intergenerational parenting experiences. Insights will be offered based on cutting-edge research from which all would-be parents, infant care professionals and wider community would benefit.

Professor Maralyn Foureur
Maralyn is Professor of Midwifery at UTS and for the Central Coast and Northern Sydney Local Health Networks. She has led research in innovative models of midwifery care and the development of midwifery practice and education. Her research includes how birth unit design impacts on women and staff stress, communication, and ultimately birth outcomes. Maralyn co-leads the consortium called Birth After Caesarean Interventions which undertakes research promoting normal birth and raising the rate of vaginal birth after caesarean section.

Professor Cathrine Fowler
Cathrine is the UTS Professor for the Tresillian Chair in Child and Family Health. As a child and family health nurse, with qualifications in midwifery and adult education, she has gained extensive clinical and education experience working with families and their young children (0-5 years). Cathrine’s interests focus on parental learning, and working with families experiencing complex and challenging parenting situations. Her research includes practice innovation in child and family health; investigating a national approach to child and family health services; and integrating parenting support into an alcohol and drug treatment program for mothers and their children.

Resources

• flyer (PDF 229k)

UTSPEAKS: is a free public lecture series presented by UTS experts discussing a range of important issues confronting contemporary Australia