FREE LIVE SEMINAR SERIES

The Cesarean Birth Cascade

Optimising Immune and Microbiome Development in Early Life

Thanks to our sponsors, this event is FREE! Limited places available.

The rise in Cesarean births presents a significant challenge to the development of the infant microbiome and the immediate establishment of robust immunity. Often referred to as the "immunity gap," this phenomenon requires a sophisticated, multidisciplinary approach to support infants during their most critical window of development.

Join us for this expert-led seminar as we move beyond the statistics to explore the clinical, nutritional, and developmental pathways that can bridge this gap. Our panel of specialists will dissect the "Cesarean Birth Cascade"—from the physiological impact of surgery to the immediate postpartum interventions—providing you with evidence-based strategies to optimise health outcomes for the C-section–born infant.

Seminar Objectives

By the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

  • Analyse the Immune Impact: Understand the physiological link between Cesarean birth, microbiome disruption, and increased susceptibility to common neonatal conditions.

  • Evaluate Clinical Risks: Identify the factors that contribute to NICU admissions and respiratory challenges in infants born via C-section.

  • Implement Best Practices: Review evidence-based "Golden Hour" interventions—including immediate skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping, and rapid breastfeeding initiation—that mitigate the effects of the surgical environment.

  • Integrate Nutritional Support: Gain actionable knowledge on how colostrum, specialised supplementation, and maternal nutrition can serve as primary tools in immune system programming.

  • Foster Collaboration: Develop a unified, multidisciplinary care model that improves communication and continuity of care between obstetric, pediatric, and neonatal teams.

Events

  • 16 May 2026
    Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre
    Fourways, Johannesburg

  • 23 May 2026
    Lagoon Beach Hotel & Spa
    Milnerton, Cape Town

  • 1 July 2026
    Online via Zoom

  • 25 July 2026
    Durban

Programme

09:00 - 09:15 Opening & Welcome

09:15 - 09:30 Word from the Sponsors

09:30 - 10:30 Optimising Immune & Microbiome Development in Early Life ~ Dr Fefekazi Mpisane-Jama

10:30 - 11:00 Tea & Coffee

11:00 - 12:00 The Nursing Role in Supporting Immunity, Microbiome Development and Early Adaptation of the Newborn ~ Dr Margreet Barnardt-Wibbelink

12:00 - 13:00 Nutritional Approaches to Support Immune and Microbiome Development in C-Section-Born Infants ~ Kath Megaw

13:00 - 14:00 Lunch

Who Should Attend

  • Midwives & Specialist Midwives

  • Maternity & Neonatal Nurses

  • Clinical Dieticians & Nutritionists

  • Lactation Consultants

  • Doulas & Perinatal Educators

Speakers

Dr Fefekazi Mpisane-Jama

Paediatrician and Sub-Specialist Neonatologist in Private Practice at Mediclinic Milnerton

Dr Mpisane-Jama’s medical career began with her undergraduate training at Walter Sisulu University, where she earned her MBChB and subsequently obtained a Medical Sciences degree in Physiology. In 2021, she obtained her Master’s in Paediatrics from the University of Cape Town and qualified as a Neonatologist at Groote Schuur Hospital in 2023.

Dr Mpisane’s expertise includes specialised care for complex medical conditions, comprehensive medical care and management for neonates, children and their families.

With extensive experience in several prominent hospitals, including Red Cross Children’s Hospital, Dr Mpisane-Jama also brings a personal perspective as a mother, an experience which enriches her understanding and empathy in her work.

Dr Margreet Barnardt-Wibbelink

Midwife Specialist (RM, MSc, PhD)

A passionate advocate for a better birthing culture, Dr Margreet Barnardt-Wibbelink's career began in the Netherlands, where she gained experience in a strong midwifery-led model of care. After relocating to South Africa, she became acutely aware of the local dynamics and challenges, which led her to establish the Healthy Mom and Baby Clinic in 2009. This non-profit organisation provides professional, private care to vulnerable and underprivileged women. At the same time, she also worked as an independent midwife in her own private practice.

Margreet holds a Bachelor's degree in Midwifery from Belgium's Artevelde Hogeschool, and she continued her education at Nelson Mandela University (NMU). There, she earned her BCur Honours (Advanced Midwifery & Neonatal Nursing Science 2012), a Master's (2014), and a PhD (2019) with a focus on scaling up clinical midwifery practices in South Africa. She maintains a professional association with NMU.

Following an extensive mentoring period, Margreet was chosen as the successor to the founder of the Sister Lilian Centre and became the General Manager of the Sister Lilian Centre and Sensitive Midwifery in 2019. This position allows her to champion the midwifery profession on a national and international scale and advocate for all pregnant women, babies, and families. She also founded the Sensitive Midwifery Online Academy to actively support and mentor midwives in their development.

Kath Megaw

Clinical Paediatric Dietitian

Kath Megaw is a renowned Clinical Paediatric Dietitian, who furthered her career with an international qualification in Paediatric Nutrition Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA. She has over 25 years of experience supporting children and families through every stage of development—from neonatal care to adolescence. As the founder of Nutripaeds, she has become a trusted voice in paediatric nutrition, known for her ability to translate the science of food into practical, accessible strategies for parents.

Kath is passionate about empowering families with evidence-based nutritional guidance, a commitment she brings to her role as consultant to the Parent Sense App. As part of this collaboration, she provides expert content on infant and toddler nutrition, feeding milestones, allergy prevention, and common concerns such as constipation, picky eating, and weight gain. Her guidance is rooted in clinical expertise and shaped by years of working alongside paediatricians, neonatologists, and developmental specialists.

Her career began with a strong focus on early childhood nutrition, speaking at the Baby Sense seminars with Meg Faure two decades ago and continuing to speak at Baby’s R Us parenting events across South Africa. Today, she sits on international working groups for neonatal nutrition and the ketogenic diet, and serves on the board of the International Ketogenic Society (INKS) and the dietary task force of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Kath also sits on the MD board for IBD Africa, with her portfolio being gut and paediatric nutrition.

Kath has co-authored six bestselling books, including Feeding Sense, Allergy Sense, Weaning Sense, and recently released Mindful Meals (2025), written with clinical psychologist Dr Jenny Rose. Her work bridges science and sensitivity, always keeping the child’s well-being and the parent’s journey at heart.

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