Cultivating Presence in Perinatal Care: A Transformative Workshop at Mpekweni Beach Resort

From 10–13 March 2026, we had the privilege of presenting our workshop, Cultivating Presence in Perinatal Care: A DREAM-Guided Relational Workshop, at the 44th Annual Scientific Meeting for Priorities in Perinatal Care in Southern Africa, held at Mpekweni Beach Resort in the Eastern Cape.

The workshop was a resounding success, bringing together a dynamic multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals, including midwives, neurologists, gynaecologists, paediatricians, and district health representatives. It created a rich platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, meaningful engagement, and shared learning across diverse areas of practice.

A key outcome was the strengthening of partnerships between academic institutions and district health services, supporting the integration of relational practices into maternal and neonatal care. The session enhanced the capacity of healthcare professionals in relational and person-centred care approaches, while facilitating valuable knowledge exchange on improving teamwork and communication in perinatal care.

We also contributed to expanding awareness of presence-based practices and the practical application of the DREAM guideline as a framework for cultivating relational presence in healthcare. Importantly, the workshop fostered strong professional networks and opened doors for future collaborative initiatives, including further workshops and training programmes.

This experience reaffirmed the importance of presence in strengthening healthcare teams and improving outcomes for mothers, infants, and families.