Perinatal Substance Use Webinar Series

This series was designed to meet the needs of a broad range of perinatal stakeholders who work with people affected by perinatal substance use. Specific topics are drawn from suggestions submitted to WAPC and from current trends in perinatal health. If you have suggestions for presentations, please use this form.

The interactive live sessions will be held via Zoom; recordings will be available. Continuing education for attending both live or recorded sessions will be available for both CNE and CME. These presentations are intended for perinatal care stakeholders. The presenters have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Suggest a Topic in Perinatal Substance Use

2025 Session Schedule

All sessions are held live on the dates below from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. CT via Zoom. More topics and session dates will be released throughout 2024.

January 21 | Confidential, Anonymous Assessment of Substance Use in Perinatal Persons in Southeastern Wisconsin

Presented by Alexa A. Anderson (Lopez), PhD

Substance use is often underreported and varies by substance used, even among those who self-report SU. Stigma and legal ramifications may contribute to the underreporting. This presentation will examine the acceptability of confidential and anonymous screening to determine prevalence and characterize the need for substance use prevention and interventions.

February 13 | Benzodiazepines During the Perinatal Period

Presented by Ann Ebert, PharmD

Many pregnant people take benzodiazepines. This presentation focuses on the impact of benzodiazepines throughout the perinatal period.

March 27 | Care of the Pregnant Person with Substance Use Disorder

Presented by Sreevalli Atluru, MD

Care for pregnant people with substance use disorders requires a comprehensive approach. This presentation will describe important and necessary components of care to promote optimal perinatal outcomes.

April 29 | Improving Obstetric Outcomes for Pregnant Patients with Substance Use in Pregnancy

Presented by AJacquelyn Adams, MD, MSCI

This talk will emphasize the need for multidisciplinary care for pregnant and postpartum individuals. It will also focus on the importance of harm reduction as a way to prevent maternal mortality.

May 29 | Understanding the Legal Environment Cradling Alcohol Use During the Perinatal Period

Presented by Felice Borisy-Rudin, JD, PhD; Bernestine Jeffers

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are preventable developmental conditions caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. Wisconsin’s heavy drinking culture and permissive laws increase the risk of alcohol use during pregnancy, while punitive perinatal substance use laws discourage self-reporting and treatment. This creates challenges for providers and pregnant individuals. This presentation follows a composite case study to explore the public health impact of Wisconsin’s legal and alcohol policies on perinatal alcohol use.

June 18 | What NOWS? The Latest Updates on Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome

Presented by Sarah Walder, APNP

Management of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) evolves continuously as we learn more about its impact on infants and families. This webinar will discuss the latest updates on the management of NOWS.

2024 Session Schedule

Continuing Education

Learners will have three weeks following each session to complete the evaluation. Those that meet that deadline will receive their CE certificate within 1 month of the session date.

To receive credit, participants must attend the entire session and complete the evaluation.

Nursing Continuing Professional Development

The Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care (WAPC) is an approved provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Wisconsin Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 

This internet live course meets the criteria for a maximum of 1.0 contact hours.

Continuing Medical Education

The Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care is accredited by the Wisconsin Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

The Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care (WAPC) designates this internet live course for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Certificate of Participation

Participants can also request a certificate of participation not associated with an accrediting body. To receive the certificate, participants must complete the evaluation and request the certificate.

Continuing Education

Planning Committee

Eva Fassbinder Brummel, MPH

Ayanda Crispin, BA

Erin Cronn, BSN, RN

Jessica Ewing, CNM

Charlene Galston, RNC-OB, BSN, ME-PD, IBCLC

Kate Gillespie, DNP, RN, CPH

Maria Green, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, C-ONQS

Megan Hardy, BSN, RN

Teresa Lass, BSN, RNC-MNN

Janet Letter, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM

Nichole Logan, BSN, RN

Marissa Meagher, MPH

Laura Megna, MSN, IBCLC, RNC-NIC

Kyleigh Menke, RN, BSN

Kyle Mounts, MPH

Sara Onitsuka

Courtney Pickar, MS, RNC-OB, ACNS-BC, C-ONQS, C-EFM

Jeanne Rosendale, MSN, BSN, RN

Charles Schauberger, MD

Eileen Zeiger, MA

No one in control of content has any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies (ineligible companies are those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, reselling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients).

Planning Committee