Previous Webinars and Study Days
Webinar & AGM - February 2024
We were delighted to hold our annual general meeting (AGM) alongside our first webinar of 2024. There was an incredible line up:
6.15-7pm: AGM: Further details here.
7-7.30pm: MTHFR protocol: Melanie McGrice
As the demand for understanding MTHFR grows among clients, this presentation aims to provide you with evidence-based insights, helping you to provide better guidance on MTHFR-related concerns. Melanie will explore the intricacies of the MTHFR gene and its implications for fertility and pregnancy, addressing key topics such as different folate types, the link between MTHFR and birth defects, and nutritional considerations for couples experiencing pregnancy challenges.
7.30-8.30pm: Folate, Folic acid and B12: Professor Helene McNulty
Contribution of folate to women’s health and challenges of translating the science into effective policy and practice
Over 30 years ago it was proved beyond doubt that folic acid supplementation of mothers in early pregnancy protects against neural tube defects (NTDs) in their babies. This conclusive scientific evidence led to clear recommendations for women of reproductive age, which are in place worldwide: to prevent NTDs, women are recommended to take 400 micrograms per day of folic acid, from before conceiving until the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. Implementing this recommendation in practice has, however, proved to be problematic. In September 2021, the UK government announced that flour will be fortified with folic acid on a mandatory basis. The evidence leading to this decision, and the challenges in relation to policy in this area, will be presented. What are the next steps in order to best ensure that the benefit of folic acid fortification can be achieved for mothers and their babies is a safe and effective way?
8.30-8.55pm: Fertility 2024 Conference Feedback: Eugenia & Laura.
Our Committee members Eugenia Grand and Laura Logan will give feedback on key learnings and areas of interest from their attendance at this year's Fertility Conference in Edinburgh. The dynamic and informative event had a strong focus on Rethinking Reproduction and brought together leading experts in the reproductive field to share latest findings and innovative techniques. As well as using this as a learning opportunity both Eugenia and Laura optimised the opportunities to network with other professionals in the field. We look forward to their feedback.
8.55-9.00pm: Q&A and Close.
Recordings of the sessions were sent to all delegates following the webinar.
Annual Study Day - June 2023.
The 2023 annual study day was virtual, in collaboration with Maternity Dietitians Ireland and kindly sponsored by Proceive. We had a fantastic line up to expand learning on topics across the maternal and fertility nutrition spectrum.
The line up included:
Dr Yealin Chung - The association between diet and miscarriage
Sarah Elder - Eating Disorders in Fertility and Pregnancy
Ro Huntriss - Nutrient deficiencies and what they mean for fertility
Komal Kumar - Nutritional management of endometriosis
Sinéad Curran (MDI) - Twins or more- Nutrition for Pregnancy with Multiples
Dr Sarah Louise Killeen (MDI) - The FIGO Nutrition in Pregnancy Checklist
PKU in Pregnancy
Recordings of the sessions were sent to all delegates following the study day.
Fertility & Obesity Study Session - March 2023
Hosted by BDA Obesity and Maternal and Fertility Specialist Group and British Psychological Society (BPS)
Speakers
- Dr Channa Jayasena, Consultant at Imperial College London and Consultant in reproductive endocrinology and andrology will present on the impact of obesity on male and female fertility.
- Ro Huntriss, Consultant Dietitian & Chief Nutrition Officer at Palta will present on fertility and weight management
- Sharon Campbell, Fertility Counsellor at UHCW will present on psychological aspects of fertility and obesity
Fertility Nutrition Webinar - 17th August 2022
This practical and informative webinar was led by members of the committee, providing information on the latest research in female fertility nutrition alongside experiences of setting up fertility nutrition services in the NHS.
The session was recorded and shared with registered delegates after the webinar.
MFNSG Nutritional Management in Pregnancy Course - May & June 2022.
This course ran successfully in May & June 2022.
For more information about the course & details of future dates (when available) please click here.
Study Day - Monday 21st March 2022.
We were delighted to host our second virtual study day in March 2022.
Thank you to all those who attended. Recordings of the sessions were sent to those who registered for the study day.
PCOS for Fertility and Pregnancy - Webinar 10th November 2021.
This webinar was delivered by Angela Grassi, founder of the PCOS Nutriton Centre and Author of "The PCOS Workbook: Your Guide to Complete Physical and Emotional Health". Angela is the founder of the PCOS Nutrition Centre where she provides nutrition counseling to women with PCOS. She is the recipient of the Award for Excellence in Graduate Research from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Having PCOS herself, Angela has been dedicated to advocacy, education and research of the Syndrome.
PCOS is the main cause of ovulatory infertility. Nutrition and lifestyle changes are the primary treatment recommendations for PCOS. This webinar will highlight an overview of PCOS plus a focus on nutrition and supplements to improve fertility. Including:
• Latest advancements in reproductive medicine for PCOS
• Foods to increase fertility
• Other lifestyle factors to increase fertility
• Beneficial supplements for fertility
• Increased pregnancy complications for PCOS women
• PCOS and breastfeeding: ways to maximize success
The recording of the webinar has been emailed to everyone who registered for the event. If you were unable to register and would like to access the recording, you can purchase the webinar recording here.
How to Create a Successful Business Care - Webinar 11th May 2021.
The session focused on how to create a successful business case for maternal and fertility nutrition services. Led by Louise Pritchard, the Chief Operating Officer at the BDA. Her role is to lead the strategy and delivery of BDA finance, operations and business development.
The session covered
- Making Your Case
- Understanding who to influence
- What a successful business case looks like
- Be able to identify and avoid common pitfalls
- Learn what will improve your business case
- Know about some of the key NHS strategies that will support cases in the field of maternal and fertility nutrition
Study Day - 24th February 2021. Presentation Access Available
If you were unable to join us on the day, for a limited time only, you can purchase the recordings here.
Once you have made your purchase, the links to view (not download) the recordings will be sent to you. Please allow up to five days to receive the links, as these are needing to be sent manually.
Please let us know ([email protected]) if any problems and thank you for your purchase.
Male Infertility: diagnostics, therapeutics and research. Webinar Recording - 4 November 2020
During this fascinating webinar Dr Sarah Martins da Silva discussed male infertility and the limitations in diagnostics and therapeutics for men. Giving an outline of the ground-breaking work that is being undertaken at University of Dundee and Ninewells Assisted Conception Unit and how this is beginning to increase understanding of how a sperm swims, finds and fertilises an egg. She also considered the contribution of oxidative stress to sperm dysfunction, and the role that nutrition and antioxidant supplements may play in overcoming this.
You can access the webinar recording here.
A copy of Sarah's presentation can be viewed here:
BDA Male Infertility Webinar Slides
Maternal Nutrition Webinar Recording - 28 July 2020
Thank you to all of our members who joined us for our first webinar entitled "Maternal nutrition during pregnancy:opportunities to positively impact the short and long term health of women and their offspring". We hope you all agree that Dr Paige van der Pligt was an excellent speaker and her presentation was very interesting and thought provoking. You can access the recording of the webinar to view again or if you missed it first time round here.
You can access Paige's answers to questions that she unfortunately ran out of time to answer on the night here:
Paige van der Pligt Question Answers