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Program

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PRE-CONGRESS: October 14, 21 and 28, 2026
CONGRESS: November 5, 6 and 7, 2026
Venue Auditori L’illa

PRE-CONGRESS ONLINE SESSIONS

Three online sessions led by the congress organizing committee (Dr. Edwin Chandraharan, Dr. Susana Pereira, Dr. Anna Gràcia) focused on reviewing key concepts and establishing a shared foundation prior to the in-person meeting.
The pre-congress online sessions will be held on the three Wednesdays preceding the congress (14, 21 and 28 october), starting at 20:00 (Spanish time).

International reference times:
– 20:00 Spain
– 19:00 United Kingdom
– 15:00 Argentina / Uruguay
– 14:00 Chile
– 14:00 Colombia / Peru / Mexico (CDMX)

PRE-CONGRESS ONLINE COURSE

COURSE 1 - Fetal Surveillance Bootcamp for Intrapartum Lifeguards
Chair: Edwin Chandraharan
Thursday 5 November
From 10 to 12.30 am
Advanced interactive course based on case discussion: how is THIS fetus, how will it respond to the clinical context, and how to make the right decision at the right time.
Advanced level.
* Not included in the congress registration.

COURSE 2 - Intrapartum Physiological Simulation Course
Chairs: Susana Pereira, Anna Gràcia and team
Thursday 5 November
Hour: 11:00h
Hands-on course built around a simulated clinical case. Participants move through a circuit of stations, making the decisions and performing the techniques the case requires at each step. The stations include CTG interpretation, vacuum-assisted birth and the new OdonAssist.
Please note: Spanish simultaneous interpretation will not be available for this pre-congress course.
* Not included in the congress registration

How Is This Fetus 2026 – Programme

THURSDAY 5

12:00
Registration
14:30-15:00
Presentation
Dr. Edwin Chandraharan, Dr. Susana Pereira, Dr. Anna Gràcia
15:00-15:20
Keynote lecture Defining best time to deliver at term
Prof. Kypros Nicolaides. UK
15:20-15:35
Gestational Diabetes, the impact on the placental function and fetal wellbeing
Dr. Federico Migliorelli. Spain
15:35-15:50
Preeclampsia and Gestational diabetes: what do we expect to see on the CTG trace. What do we have to bear in mind during labour?
Dr. Edwin Chandraharan. UAE
15:50-16:15
Panel discussion.
Prof. Kypros Nicolaides, Dr. Federico Migliorelli, Dr. Edwin Chandraharan.
Moderator: Dr. Anna Gràcia. Spain.
16:15-16:45
Coffee break
16:45-17:10
Late onset of placental insufficiency and IUGR
Dr. Francesc Figueras. Spain
17:10-17:30
What do we expect to see on the CTG trace. The chronic hypoxia and RUPI spectrum
Dr. Susana Pereira. UK
17:30-17:45
Understanding oxytocin beyond the uterus: a fetal perspective
Dr. Anna Gràcia. Spain
17:45-18:15
Panel discussion and Q&A
Dr. Francesc Figueras, Dr. Susana Pereira, Dr. Anna Gràcia, Dr. Elisa Llurba.
Moderator: Dr. Edwin Chandraharan. UAE
18:15-18:27
Abstract elevated to presentation 1:
Oligohydramnios and intrapartum cardiotocographic criteria suggestive of fetal hypoxia: A retrospective analytical study.
Dr Clara Batlle Costa, Spain
18:27-18:40
Abstract elevated to presentation 2:
Changes in intrapartum management following implementation of physiological cardiotocography interpretation.
Dr Sophia Andres, Germany
18:40-18:50
Take-home messages of the day. Key ideas
Dr. Anna Gràcia. Spain

Friday 6 Morning

08:00-08:30
Registration
08:30-09:00
Physiological Breech: head last, physiology first!
Katrin Löser, Denmark
09:00-09:15
How is this fetus when the mother is over 35 years old and/or has a high body mass index? A practical approach
Prof. Ilenia Mappa. Italy
09:15-09:30
Fetal adaptation to maternal exercise: heart rate, placental haemodynamics and clinical translation
Dr. Rubén Barakat. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Spain
09:30-09:42
Abstract elevated to presentation 3:
Reducing hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy from CTG misinterpretation through physiology-based education and technology: a before–after study
Dr. Lucius Baltoaica.
09:42-10:00
Q&A
Moderator: Dr. Marta Rial. Spain
10:00-10:20
What are the current challenges in managing chorioamnionitis to frontline clinicians?
Prof. Tullio Ghi. Italy
10:20-10:35
Role of infection and preterm labour
Dr. Teresa Cobo. Spain
10:35-10:55
3 big risk factors to introduce bacteria into the cavity
Dr. Anna Gràcia. Spain, Dr. Edwin Chandraharan. UAE
10:55-11:12
Abstract elevated to presentation 4:
Early Cardiotocographic Changes Preceding Maternal Fever in Histologically Confirmed Chorioamnionitis
Dr. Joana Rodrigues
11:12-11:45
Coffee break
11:45-12:05
Fetal inflammation modifies physiological adaptation to intrapartum hypoxia in term fetus
Mikko Tarvonen, Midwife, Finland.
12:05-12:25
What do we expect to see on the CTG trace and bear in mind during labour?
Dr. Edwin Chandraharan. UAE
12:25-12:45
Input from the other side: management of neonatal encephalopathy
Prof. Divyen Shah, neonatologist. UK
12:45-13:15
Keynote on Chorioamnionitis
Prof. Roberto Romero. US. Remote connection
13:15-14:00
Panel discussion and Q&A
Prof. Roberto Romero, Dr. Teresa Cobo, Dr. Edwin Chandraharan, Prof. Tullio Ghi, Prof. Divyen Shah, Prof. Christophe Vayssière, Mikko Tarvonen.
Moderator: Dr. Susana Pereira
Recognition: CTG features of chorioamnionitis. Definition of subclinical and clinical chorioamnionitis. Optimising the management after diagnosis. Role of intrapartum antibiotics and fluids. Induction and augmentation of labour versus operative birth. Neonatal management implications of diagnosing subclinical chorioamnionitis
14:00-15:00
Break

Friday 6 Afternoon

MAIN AUDITORIUM
ROOM 2 MIDWIFERY TRACK
15:00-15:20
Using Doppler in labour: clinical scenarios and limitations
Dr. Mónica Cruz-Lemini. Spain
15:20-15:40
Changes of CTG and role of ultrasound in operative deliveries
Prof. Tullio Ghi. Italy
15:40-16:00
CTG in the preterm fetus: current evidence and knowledge gaps
Dr. Federico Migliorelli. Spain
16:00-16:15
Fetal ECG (STAN) as a second-line tool
Prof. Christophe Vayssière. France
16:15-16:40
Break
16:40-17:00
Fetal tachycardia, pyrexia and drugs on the CTG: avoiding overreaction and missed deterioration
Dr. Mareike Bolten. Germany
17:00-17:12
Abstract elevated to presentation 5:
Diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence applied to intrapartum cardiotocography for fetal acidaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Dr. Joana Cunha
17:12-18:15
How is THIS Abstract? The 7 best oral communications
Live audience voting. Presenting authors of the top-ranked abstracts
18:15-18:20
Take-home messages of the day. Key ideas
Dr. Anna Gràcia. Spain
15:00-15:15
Practical tips to make your birth room more physiological: experience from a midwife-led unit in Spain's public health system
Chiara Capece and Alba Alija García, midwives. Spain
15:15-16:15
Workshop on biomechanics during labour
Nazareth Olivera, midwife. Spain
16:15-16:30
Intelligent (and Intermittent) Auscultation: listening to the fetus with physiology in mind
Irene de la Blanca Martínez. Specialist midwife. UK
16:30-16:50
Break
16:50-17:30
Workshop on the rebozo technique
Alina Valdivia, midwife. Chile
17:30-17:55
Symposium on water birth: physiological approach and fetal surveillance
Chiara Capece, midwife. Spain
17:55-18:15
Born in calm: the science behind hypnobirthing
Carmen Moreno. Spain
18:15-18:50
Panel discussion and Q&A. The midwife as guardian of physiology: where do we stand today?
Chiara Capece, Alba Alija García, Nazareth Olivera, Alina Valdivia,
Moderator: Irene de la Blanca, UK.
18:30-18:50
SYMPOSIUM SATÉLITE
La obstetricia de los pequeños detalles.
Dr. Maria Carmen Medina, Spain
Patrocinado por ZAMBON
20:00-22:00
Casual networking dinner

Saturday 7

08:00-08:30
Registration
08:30-09:15
Symposium on obstetric emergencies and risk management considering physiology
Dr. Edwin Chandraharan. UAE
09:15-09:35
Anaesthesia for obstetricians and midwives: impact of epidural and general anaesthesia on fetal wellbeing
Dr.Andrew Tan, Obstetric anaesthetist, UK
09:35-09:55
Beyond the fetus: the perineum we leave behind
Malene Hegenberger, midwife. Denmark
09:55-10:15
PregnaDigit: remote digital care at home for pregnancy complications replacing admission to hospital
Prof Arie Franx, Netherlands
10:15-10:35
How AI can support clinical decisions in labour monitoring
Prof. Antoniya Georgieva. University of Oxford, Oxford Labour Monitoring Group. UK
10:35-10:45
Can AI recognise different types of Fetal hypoxic stress and abnormal patterns?
Dr. Luka Velemir, France
10:45-11:15
Coffee break and Official Congress Photo
11:30-12:40
Put the faculty on the spot! Interactive CTG discussion including bring your own cases
Dr. Edwin Chandraharan, Dr. Susana Pereira
Plenary session. No parallel track.
12:40-13:00
Moving from Silence to Sharing. What to do when things go wrong
Dr Rebecca (Becs) Winterborn. Vascular surgeon, Clinical director and coach. UK
13:00-13:40
Challenges, and solutions, of implementing physiological CTG interpretation
Dr. Edwin Chandraharan, Dr. Susana Pereira
13:40-14:00
Conclusions: how is the fetus? What we know, what we don't, and what's next
Dr. Edwin Chandraharan, Dr. Susana Pereira, Dr. Anna Gràcia
Preliminary program

ACCESS TO SESSIONS DEPENDS ON REGISTRATION TYPE.
Partial Registration: access to Room 2 only from 12:45 on Day 2, with dedicated sessions or live streaming of plenary hall sessions.
Full & Resident Registration: full access.

Speakers

  • Dr Ruben Barakat:

    Doctor en Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte. Catedrático de Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Spain.

  • Dr. Mareike Bolten.

    Specialist in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Germany.

  • Chiara Capece:

    Midwife, Head of the Birth Center, Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital. Spain.

  • Dr. Edwin Chandraharan:

    Director of the Global Academy of Medical Education & Training. UAE.

  • Dr. Monica Cruz-Lemini:

    Fetal Medicine Specialist / Clinical Researcher. Medicina Fetal Barcelona and Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. Spain.

  • Dr. Teresa Cobo

    Obsterician. Hospital Clinic Barcelona, MD, Ph.D. Spain.

  • Dr. Francesc Figueras:

    Head of Fetal and Maternal Medicine, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona. Spain.

  • Prof. Antoniya Georgieva:

    Associate Professor at the University of Oxford, Group Lead of the Oxford Labour Monitoring Group. UK.

  • Prof. Tullio Ghi:

    Head of the Obstetrics Unit at the Gemelli IRCCS Polyclinic Hospital in Rome. Italy.

  • Dr. Anna Gracia:

    Obstetrician. Director at icareCTG. Spain.

  • Dr. Elisa Llurba:

    Director of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. Spain.

  • Dr. Katrin Löser:

    Obstetrician. University of Southern Denmark

  • Prof. Ilenia Mappa:

    Obstetrician at Policlinico Umberto I teaching hospital of Sapienza University, Italy.

  • Dr. Federico Migliorelli:

    Obstetrician. Hospital Clínic de Barcelona. Spain.

  • Carmen Moreno:

    Communicator and author of the book Positive Childbirth. Indonesia.

  • Prof. Kypros Nicolaides:

    Founder and President of The Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF). UK

  • Nazareth Olivera:

    Midwife, book author. Spain.

  • Dr. Susana Pereira:

    Clinical Director of Obstetrics, The Royal London Hospital, Barts NHS Trust. UK.

  • Dr. Marta Rial:

    Obstetrician. Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo. Spain.

  • Prof. Roberto Romero:

    Head of the Pregnancy Research Branch (PRB) and Head of the Perinatal and Obstetric Research Program at the Intramural Research Division of the NICHD. US.

  • Prof. Divyen Shah:

    Neonatologist at The Royal London Hospital. UK.

  • Alina Valdivia:

    Midwife. Chile.

  • Prof. Christophe Vayssiere:

    Head of the Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Toulouse University Hospital. France.

  • Mikko Tarvonen :

    Midwife. Researcher at Helsinki University Central Hospital. Finland.

  • Alba Alija García :

    Midwife. Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital. Spain.

  • Irene de la Blanca Martínez:

    Martínez Specialist Midwife at The Royal London Hospital. UK.

  • Dr. Andrew Tan:

    Anaesthetic consultant at Kingston hospital. UK

  • Malene Hegenberger

    Midwife. Inventor of Hegenberger Retractor. Denmark.

  • Prof. Arie Franx:

    Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, the Netherlands

  • Dr. Luka Velemir:

    Gynecologist and obstetrician at Gynecology Institute of Nice (GIN). France.

  • Dr. Rebecca (Becs) Winterborn: :

    Vascular surgeon, Clinical Director BNSSG NHS@Home service, UK. Founder Becs Winterborn Coaching.