Dates & Location

Next course info coming soon!

Course Overview

This course is broken into 3 parts. The Certificate of Achievement in Obstetric (CAPP-OB) is awarded to licensed Physical Therapists (PTs) who complete a series of comprehensive evidence-based education courses, written and clinical testing at each level and a written case report rigorously reviewed by the CAPP Case Reflection Committee.

To achieve the certification, you must attend and successfully pass the three levels of the Pregnancy & Postpartum Physical Therapy track hosted by the Academy IN ANY ORDER.  You must pass the CAPP Scenario Testing at the end of each course and pass the Post-Course Exam (multiple-choice) after attending each course with an 80% score or higher.

• OBF – Fundamental Topics of Pregnancy & Postpartum Physical Therapy (lecture + lab)

• OBA – Advanced Topics of Pregnancy & Postpartum Physical Therapy (lecture + lab)

• OBI – Intrapartum Topics of Obstetric Physical Therapy (lecture + lab)

Then Successfully “Pass” a completed Case Reflection within 1 year from the date you completed your last OB course.

Upon successful passing, recipients are featured in the Academy’s distinguished directory (if they are an Academy member), and receive a Certificate of Achievement they can display in their office to patients and employers to demonstrate the caliber of their accomplishment.

Part 1: Fundamental Topics of Pregnancy & Postpartum Physical Therapy (OBF)

Course Description

The Fundamental Topics of Pregnancy & Postpartum Physical Therapy course is a two-part course series composed of a Webinar course and a Lab course:

1. OBF Webinar: The Webinar is a prerequisite for the Lab. The Webinar is conducted 100% virtually through a live webinar format. This course will provide practical, evidence-based knowledge and skill in physical therapy evaluation and intervention with the pregnant and postpartum patient. Instruction includes: anatomical and physiologic changes in pregnancy; differential diagnosis in peri-partum; pregnancy-specific changes in posture and gait; postpartum recovery and scar tissue assessment and intervention; modalities during pregnancy, biomechanical strategies; exercise and wellness in pregnancy and postpartum. Additionally, advanced clinical decision making with these populations is discussed.

2. OBF Lab: In this Lab course, instructors teach you skills that are immediately applicable in your clinic and include: modifications of the pregnant examination; lumbopelvic examination and special tests (particularly for pelvic girdle dysfunctions); diastasis rectus abdominis assessment and intervention; external pelvic floor assessment and exercise (NO internal pelvic floor taught at this course); exercise in pregnancy and postpartum; scar assessment and mobilization techniques. All participants will participate in comprehensive situational lab scenarios to integrate all of their learned skills. Participants will be working in groups of 2-3 during labs. All participants will participate in labs as both “clinician” and “patient.” These labs are appropriate for all participants to fully participate, including pregnant, post-partum and male participants.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Examination/Evaluation

1. Describe the anatomic and physiologic changes related to pregnancy and postpartum and how they affect evaluation and intervention.

2. Perform an appropriate evaluation of a pregnant or postpartum patient with musculoskeletal dysfunction or pain.

3. Assess for diastasis rectus abdominis with objective measurement skills

Diagnosis/Prognosis

1. Differentiate between musculoskeletal and medical diagnoses based on the subjective and objective evaluation of a pregnant or postpartum patient.

2. Differentiate between low back, pelvic girdle and hip pain/dysfunction.

3. Develop functional goals for musculoskeletal impairments in pregnancy and postpartum based on a systematic interview and examination of the patient.

Intervention

1. Develop an evidence-based plan of care for physical therapy intervention of pregnant or postpartum patients with musculoskeletal impairments or dysfunction.

2. Perform selected manual therapy interventions for the treatment of pregnant and postpartum patient.

3. Prescribe an appropriate wellness exercise program for a variety of skill levels for a pregnant or postpartum client.

   
   

Part 2: Advanced Topics of Pregnancy & Postpartum Physical Therapy (OBA)

Course Description

The Advanced Topics of Pregnancy & Postpartum Physical Therapy course is a two-part course series composed of a Webinar course and a Lab course:

1. OBA Webinar: The Webinar is a prerequisite for the Lab. This didactic webinar provides practical, evidence-based knowledge and skill in physical therapy evaluation and intervention with advanced topics in pregnancy and postpartum. Didactic instruction includes: high risk pregnancy medical diagnoses and interventions; special populations and disability in pregnancy; traumatic injuries during pregnancy; maternal birth injuries; considerations; the pregnant athlete; exercise class design; and psychosocial issues in pregnancy and postpartum. Additionally, advanced clinical decision making with these populations is discussed.

2. OBA Lab: In this Lab course, labs will offer skills that are immediately applicable in your clinic and include: refinement of the lumbopelvic examination and special tests; modification of the examination and physical therapy interventions in high risk pregnancy; examination and intervention of thoracic spine, rib cage and external coccyx pain/dysfunction; and various kinesiology taping techniques in pregnancy and postpartum. At the end of the course, all participants will participate in comprehensive situational lab scenarios to apply all skills learned. Participants will be working in groups of 2-3 during labs. All participants will participate in labs as both “clinician” and “patient.” These labs are appropriate for all participants to fully participate, including pregnant, post-partum and male participants. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Examination / Evaluation

1. Describe the anatomic and physiologic components of high risk pregnancy medical diagnoses.

2. Perform an appropriate examination of a patient in a high risk pregnancy and pregnant patient with traumatic injuries.

3. Perform an examination of the patient with thoracic, rib cage, or coccyx pain or dysfunction during the peripartum period.

4. Describe common and infrequent maternal birth injuries, their impact on neuromuscular function and rehabilitation techniques.

Diagnosis / Prognosis

1. Differentiate between musculoskeletal and medical diagnoses based on the subjective and objective evaluation of the patient in high risk pregnancy or acute postpartum.

2. Develop functional goals for musculoskeletal impairments during high risk pregnancy based on a systematic interview and examination of the patient.

3. Describe considerations and resources for the peripartum patient with disability, or with neurologic, cardiac, endocrine, arthritic, rheumatic or other systemic medical diagnoses.

4. Describe considerations for pregnancy and postpartum in the female athlete, such as training concerns, biophysical concerns, and different levels of athletes participating in different sports.

5. Describe the impact of psychosocial factors on the pregnant or postpartum patient, such as high risk pregnancy, perinatal loss, postpartum depression, or intimate partner violence.

Intervention

1. Develop an appropriate plan of care for physical therapy intervention for patients with a high risk pregnancy or traumatic injury during pregnancy.

2. Perform selected manual therapy interventions for the treatment of pregnant and postpartum patient with thoracic spine, rib cage, or coccyx pain or dysfunction.

3. Develop a basic postpartum Mom-and-baby exercise class that incorporates rehabilitation for pelvic floor and abdominals, general resistance training, and aerobics.

4. Select and perform kinesiology and rigid taping techniques to address pain and dysfunction related to the coccyx, rib cage, diaphragm, posture, and abdominal soft tissue.

   
   
   
   

Part 3: Intrapartum Topics of Obstetric Physical Therapy (OBI)

Course Description

The Intrapartum Topics of Obstetric Physical Therapy course is a two-part course series composed of a Webinar course and a Lab course:

1. OBI Webinar: The Webinar course is a prerequisite for the Lab course. The Webinar course conducted 100% virtually through a live webinar format. The Webinar course is didactic and provides the physical therapy professional with an in-depth understanding of how specific physical therapy interventions during the antepartum and intrapartum periods may affect birth outcomes and postpartum maternal health. Practical, evidence-based knowledge and advanced skills in providing therapeutic and educational support are included. Didactic instruction includes: maternal pelvis anatomic characteristics and biomechanical considerations for childbirth, orthopedic diagnosis considerations, causes and management of dysfunctional labor, psychosocial considerations in childbirth, labor and vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery, and early postpartum interventions.

2. OBI Lab: The Lab course offers skills that are immediately applicable and include: preparation for childbirth, positions for promoting efficient labor, hands-on interventions for dysfunctional labor and labor with orthopedic considerations, physical and mental coping including hands-on techniques. All participants will participate in comprehensive standardized patient lab scenarios to demonstrate skills integration competency. Upon completion of this lab course, participants will have expanded therapeutic and educational strategies to support the pregnant client in optimizing labor, delivery, and acute postpartum recovery. Participants will be working in groups of 2-3 during labs. All participants will participate in labs as both “clinician” and “patient.” These labs are appropriate for all participants to fully participate, including pregnant, post-partum and male participants. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Cognitive Domain

1. Learners will value their unique qualifications and position to provide therapeutically focused education to the antepartum client in support of the intrapartum period

2. Learners will examine numerous variables involved in providing education for therapeutic support of the antepartum and intrapartum client

3. Learners will select and support appropriate methods of providing therapeutic support for the antepartum and intrapartum client

Psychomotor Domain

1. Learners will demonstrate appropriate integrated biomechanical and psychosocial strategies for therapeutic and educational support of the antepartum and intrapartum client

2. Learners will adapt strategies in response to numerous variables when providing therapeutic and educational support of the antepartum and intrapartum client, as demonstrated through simulation

3. Learners will create a basic educational marketing resource aimed at promoting the physical therapist’s role providing therapeutic and educational support of the antepartum and intrapartum client

Affective Domain: As demonstrated through simulation activities

1. Learners will display cultural competence toward all those in attendance during simulation of therapeutic and educational support of the antepartum and intrapartum client

2. Learners will favor the client’s autonomy during therapeutic and educational support of the antepartum and intrapartum client

3. Learners will weigh the client’s right to a safe and healthy birth as defined by the client