Integrative Obstetrics Certification
Transforming Dyadic Obstetrics
Course duration: 44 Weeks (300 hours, 6-7 hours per week)
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Overview
Explore the integrative pathways of pregnancy care with the advanced Integrative Obstetrics Certification, under the guidance of Dr Leah Hechtman (PhD). Designed for health professionals and students, this certification bridges traditional obstetrics with holistic health approaches, rooted in the latest research.
The curriculum focuses on the triad of pregnancy care: obstetrics, for maternal health; embryology, addressing the development of the growing child; and placentology, studying the critical role of the placenta. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of pregnancy are addressed, enhancing the wellbeing of both mother and child.
This certification delves into sophisticated strategies and tools aimed at transforming obstetric care. Participants will emerge from this experience not just with deeper knowledge, but with practical skills to implement transformative care practices in their professional environments. This certification is crafted to transform the future of integrative obstetrics supporting the health of mothers and the next generation. This integrative framework ensures every dimension of pregnancy is addressed with precision and depth. Transforming obstetric care to transform your practice.
True to Leah’s teaching style, each lecture will address the psychological, physiological, nutritional, and spiritual aspects at every stage. Complementing the core lectures, thought-provoking podcasts will provide deeper insights into pivotal developments for this dynamic triad, encouraging a holistic understanding of obstetric care.
Course Inclusions
Video Lectures
Weekly video lectures and accompanying slides
Office Hours
Engage directly with Dr Leah Hechtman (PhD) with a weekly 60 minute group Q&A session
Podcast Lectures
Learn on-the-go with podcast-style lectures
Assessments
Regular assessments to validate your progress
Extra Resources
Get access to extensive reference lists and essential supplementary material
Lecture Schedule
| Week | DD/MM/YY | Module | Lecture |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15/02/27 | Foundational | Creating obstetric care practice |
| 2 | 22/02/27 | Assessments throughout pregnancy | |
| 3 | 01/03/27 | Nutritional medicine (dietary) | |
| 4 | 08/03/27 | Nutritional medicine (supplemental) | |
| 5 | 15/03/27 | Herbal medicine | |
| 6 | 22/03/27 | Lifestyle medicine and emotional wellbeing | |
| 7 | 29/03/27 | Integration and safe prescriptions | |
| 8 | 05/04/27 | Singleton vs multiple pregnancies | |
| 9 | 12/04/27 | Break | |
| 10 | 19/04/27 | First Trimester | Creating life – how do we actually make a baby? |
| 11 | 26/04/27 | Weeks 0–6: Developments and nutritional requirements | |
| 12 | 03/05/27 | Maternal and fetal immunology | |
| 13 | 10/05/27 | Trimester 1: Developments and nutritional requirements | |
| 14 | 17/05/27 | Nausea, vomiting and hyperemesis gravidarum | |
| 15 | 24/05/27 | Reflux, GORD, electrolytes and biochemistry | |
| 16 | 31/05/27 | Break | |
| 17 | 07/06/27 | Second Trimester | Trimester 2, part 1: Developments and nutritional requirements |
| 18 | 14/06/27 | Placentology and complications | |
| 19 | 21/06/27 | Trimester 2, part 2: Developments and nutritional requirements | |
| 20 | 28/06/27 | Anaemia and haemodilution | |
| 21-22 | 05/07/27 12/07/27 |
Break | |
| 23 | 19/07/27 | Thrombocytopenia and HELLP | |
| 24 | 26/07/27 | Methylation in pregnancy, embryology and placentation | |
| 25 | 02/08/27 | Fetal growth restriction (IUGR/FGR) | |
| 26 | 09/08/27 | Third Trimester | Trimester 3, part 1: Developments and nutritional requirements |
| 27 | 16/08/27 | Blood sugars, GDM, weight and endocrinology | |
| 28 | 23/08/27 | Liver, gall bladder and cholestasis | |
| 29 | 30/08/27 | Histamine and PUPPP | |
| 30 | 06/09/27 | Trimester 3, part 2: Developments and nutritional requirements | |
| 31 | 13/09/27 | Labour preparation | |
| 32 | 20/09/27 | Hypertension, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia | |
| 33 | 27/09/27 | Pregnancy infections | |
| 34 | 04/10/27 | Break | |
| 35 | 11/10/27 | Trimester 3, part 3: Developments and nutritional requirements | |
| 36 | 18/10/27 | Pregnancy microbiome | |
| 37 | 25/10/27 | Birth preparation and support | |
| 38 | 01/11/27 | Labour | |
| 39 | 08/11/27 | Fourth Trimester | Postpartum support: Developments and nutritional requirements |
| 40 | 15/11/27 | Breastfeeding | |
| 41 | 22/11/27 | Neonatology | |
| 42 | 29/11/27 | Maternal brain and identity in the fourth trimester | |
| 43 | 06/12/27 | Break | |
| 44 | 13/12/27 | Integration | Putting it all together |
A note from Leah
Whilst preconception care and fertility support lay the foundation for life, obstetric management nurtures and shapes it, influencing development from conception to birth. The quality of care during pregnancy profoundly impacts both maternal and foetal health, as well as the future well-being of the child.
The Integrative Obstetric Certification complements Traditional Obstetrics through a functional lens, combining the latest research and strategies with integrative and holistic approaches. This comprehensive program equips health professionals with a deeper understanding of the synergy between maternal health, foetal development, and placental function, enabling them to optimise these systems and provide thorough support throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and early neonatology.
Designed for those seeking to elevate their clinical practice, this certification provides evidence-based insights and proven protocols, building confidence in managing complex scenarios safely and effectively. It equips clinicians with the tools to support women and babies using an integrative functional medicine approach grounded in the latest research and best practices.
By mastering these principles, practitioners can set new standards in obstetric care—ensuring better outcomes and transforming the future of maternal and foetal health. This certification is an invitation for us all to shape the future of obstetric practice together.
My intention is for practitioners to understand the holistic synergy of pregnancy, so they can offer care that nurtures well-being and transforms outcomes. Together, we can establish a new standard that optimises pregnancy experiences and health outcomes for generations to come.
Course FAQs
Who is eligible and are places limited?
The certifications are for practitioners or students in health/medicine or aligned fields, with a capped number of enrolments to keep the sessions intimate.
Can I enrol in more than one certification in the same year?
Yes. All three run concurrently on the same 44-week calendar, with separate lectures and Office Hours for each (back-to-back on Tuesday mornings). Practitioners taking two should allow 12–14 hours a week.
Do I need AFC or FFC before enrolling in IGC or IOC?
No. Each certification is a standalone program and is open to practitioners or students in health, medicine or aligned fields.
What if I’m not advanced enough?
You don’t need to be. The program builds you step-by-step.
Time commitment
Around 6–7 hours: a 60–90 minute pre-recorded lecture, the weekly 60-minute Office Hours, and reading, case work and assessment preparation. Total training is 300 hours over 44 weeks.
Falling behind
There is no “behind”. You go at your pace. You have two years access to content. Please note, deferrals are only possible in exceptional circumstances and incur a $500 admin fee.
Delivery
Circle is used for lectures, replays, Office Hours, community chat.
Live sessions
Weekly 60-minute Office Hours with Dr Leah and fellow clinicians. Recordings are provided within 48 hours.
Access duration
Ongoing access for two years and then Alumni access pathways are available.
When are lectures released?
Each week’s lecture is released Monday morning, Sydney time, ahead of Tuesday Office Hours, and remains available, together with all Office Hours recordings, for the duration of your enrolment.
Is the training recognised for CPD?
Most associations accept these certifications under self-directed or independent CPD. A certificate of hours (300) is issued on completion for your CPD record.
What do the assessments involve and when are they due?
Assessments are applied and practice-based: two case analyses submitted at the end of each module block. They are not graded; they are reviewed for completion and clinical reasoning and are required for certification.
Are there payment plans available?
Yes. See the fee table for payment options and dates. Enrolling in more than one certification? Please enquire about multi-course discounts.
Support
Community chat and structured Office Hours are times to gain extra support.
Course Duration
44 Weeks
(300 Hours, 6-7hrs per week)
Next Intake
15 February 2027
Training in Fertility, Gynaecology and Obstetrics
Three flagship certifications.
Advanced Fertility Certification (AFC), Integrative Gynaecology Certification (IGC), and Integrative Obstetrics Certification (IOC) form the cornerstone of integrative reproductive medicine education.
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