APPPAH CENTRAL
P.O. Box 1398, Forestville, CA 95436.
Maureen Wolfe, C.N.M., Executive Director
Telephone/Fax: 707-887-2838
E-mail

More About APPPAH

The Association for Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health focuses attention on the life-changing discoveries being made in the first period of human development from preparation for pregnancy through the postpartum period and establishment of breastfeeding.

We find that prenatal and perinatal experiences have a profound impact on health and human behavior. We believe that life is a continuum which starts before conception, not at birth. During this formative period, mother and child are not isolated but fundamentally interconnected. A loving prenatal and perinatal experience inspires bonding and sensitivity to others which have long-term consequences for individual relationships and for society. Womb ecology eventually determines world ecology as the seeds of harmony or violence are sown by parents, educators, and caretakers.

APPPAH task forces publish The APPPAH Newsletter and the Journal of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health, hold regional and international conferences, promote research, serve the public with valuable directories and resources, work to enhance the pregnancy experience and prevent birth trauma. We encourage development of new methods for healing the psychological wounds of pregnancy and birth.

Congresses:

Since the first International Congress on Pre- and Perinatal Psychology held in Toronto in 1983, biennial congresses have been a major activity of the Association. Congresses were held in San Diego (1985), San Francisco (1987), Amherst (1989), Atlanta (1991), Washington D.C. (1993), San Francisco (1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003), San Diego (2005), Los Angeles (2007), and Pacific Grove, CA/Asilomar Conference Center. Recordings of all congresses from 1983 to 2007 are indexed, searchable by keywords, and available from Gold Key Recordings. The next International Congress will convene November Nov. 11-14, 2010 at Asilomar Conference Center on Monterey Bay, California. CLICK here for photos and archival information about the '09 congress at Asilomar.  Click here for archival records of our biennial congresses from 1995 to present.

 Publications:

The original quarterly, Pre- & Perinatal Psychology Journal, was founded and edited by Thomas Verny, M.D. in the Spring of 1985. Beginning with volume 12 (1) Fall, 1997 the title was changed to Journal of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health reflecting the Association's change of name. The Association owns and publishes the Journal and seeks leading edge articles in the field of prenatal and perinatal psychology and health. The Editor welcomes original papers on the psychological aspects of very early parenting, pregnancy, prenatal bonding and communication, childbirth, psychological factors in birth complications, birth losses and grief, adoption, the primal origins of health, birth and violence, the healing of birth trauma, and contrasting psychological experiences of birth in other cultures. The Journal is a benefit of membership and may be purchased by individuals, libraries and other institutions by annual subscription from the APPPAH office. Beginning with the Fall issue in 2009 the Journal will also be available in an electronic edition. To propose or to submit an article please contact the Editor-in-Chief, Bobbi Jo Lyman, Ph.D.

On a quarterly schedule, the Association publishes The APPPAH Newsletter edited by Marcy Axness, Ph.D. Special features include cover stories, "Media Watch", reviews of books, videos, and movies, advance notices of our regional and international conferences, announcements of activities of our Partners, and "Vision Into Action: Passion Into Policy." Printed copies are mailed to members but any interested person can access the electronic edition of the Newsletter on the Association website by going to www.birthpsychology.com/bits/newsletter. Please send news tips and suggestions to Marcy Axeness, Editor. 

Books & Videos in Birth Psychology is periodically updated and published on the website. This selected list is limited to books published in the last twenty five years and kept in print. An attempt is made to identify the dozen most influential books judged by their large circulation, multiple editions, and foreign translations. Purchasing your books from inside this bookstore will benefit both you and the Association. Thanks!  Click here for the Bookstore.

The APPPAH Website, Birthpsychology.com was founded in 1996 by David B. Chamberlain, Editor and Edward Goldberg, Webmaster. The number of persons visiting the website has steadily increased so that in 2009 we are receiving visits from 1,000 computers daily from over 100 countries. The purpose of the website is to share with the world the life-changing discoveries being made in the growing field of prenatal and perinatal psychology. The site is a unique and compact treasury of information about all activities of the Association. The website is a gift from the members of the Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health. Please lend your support!

Governance:

 APPPAH is a California public-benefit educational corporation, under Section 501(c)(3) of the revenue code and is exempt from state and federal taxes. The ten directors of the Association are elected by vote of the membership at each Congress. Directors elect a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Directors hold office for one year and may be nominated for reelection. The current officers are:  William Emerson and Wendy McCord, Co-Presidents; Barbara Findeisen, Vice-President; Carrie Contie, Secretary; and David Chamberlain, Treasurer.


                                                               Celebrating APPPAH Partners:

APPPAH honors and collaborates with the International Society of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Medicine (ISPPM), founded in Vienna, Austria in 1971. This society, like our own, focuses on the life-long importance of the first ecological environment of humans in the womb, holds both regional and international conferences, and, since 1989 has published the International Journal of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Medicine.  For much more information about this learned society (in either German or English) please check the name of the ISPPM above. To read a recent news bulletin on their current interests and activities, check HERE. 

APPPAH has supported the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) from its inception and joined in the ratification of The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative in 1996 announcing its mission to promote a wellness--rather than disease--model of maternity care. On the "Normalcy of the Birthing Process" APPPAH contributed two of the six statements that became part of the Initiative: "Women and babies have the inherent wisdom necessary for birth" and "Babies are aware, sensitive human beings at the time of birth, and should be acknowledged and treated as such." Since 1996, CIMS has built the nation's largest grassroots network of 2400 persons and organizations advocating for baby-friendly, mother-friendly, and family-centered hospitals and birthing centers. 
 
APPPAH cooperates with: OMAEP, the World Organization of Associations for Prenatal Education, which originated in France. With chapters in 17 countries, OMAEP holds conferences in Europe and South America emphasizing prenatal parenting. Recently, they have formed a vital educational link with the United Nations as a non-governmental organization (NGO). This work is being strongly led by APPPAH member, Julie Gerland, who resides in France.

APPPAH prizes its partnership with Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, the only school in the world offering full M.A. and Ph.D curriculums and certificate programs with a pioneering faculty in the field of prenatal and perinatal psychology. Members of the Association inspired, nourished, and led in founding the school, while others attend as graduate students and are members of the faculty. SBGI has a global mission, offering a variety of  courses and flexible programs to meet the needs of aspiring professionals around the world. A recent copy of the SBGI monthly newsletter from SBGI can be seen HERE.  For breaking news, click HERE.

APPPAH is an Affiliate of the Alliance for Transforming the Lives of Children (aTLC) which seeks to work synergistically with organizations and individuals to support optimal human development from preconception through early childhood. Since the late 1990's it has constructed a systematic and evidence-based "Blueprint for Transforming the Lives of Children," and a document of (15) "Essential Truths" to guide parents in the journey of honoring and celebrating their children. A unique experiment in mentoring is the "WarmLine," a service offered by two highly qualified experts who are available (on attractive terms) to coach parents in applying the principles and actions contained in the "Blueprint."  (Email or telephone 888-574-7580 for mentoring details.) All documents are available on the website above.