Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
● Demonstrate a clear understanding about the nature of midwifery and the concept of woman centred care.
● Outline the historical development of midwifery and legislation that influences midwifery practice.
● Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the core professional and regulatory documents that impact on midwifery
practice in Ireland.
● Develop an understanding of the anatomy and physiology associated with midwifery practice.
● Integrate knowledge of physiological changes of pregnancy to midwifery practice.
● Apply the knowledge gained in this and supporting modules to provide holistic midwifery care for women, their partners and
families.
● Identify and demonstrate the principles of infection prevention and control in the maternity services.
● Demonstrate the skills required in providing safe midwifery care to a woman during pregnancy, labour and following birth
Indicative Module Content:
Indicative Content
Professional and Personal Issues
- History of Midwifery
- Philosophy of Midwifery
- Role and Functions of the Nursing, Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)
- Professional conduct and accountability
- Domains of Competence
- Scope of Midwifery Practice
- NMBI documents and guidance
- Midwifery Values- Compassion, Care and Commitment
Anatomy and Physiology associated with midwifery care
- Menstrual Cycle
- Fertilisation
- Normal growth and development of the fetus
- Physiological changes in pregnancy
- Maintaining health and well-being and managing common disorders arising from adaptations to pregnancy
Midwifery Practice
- Terms & Abbreviations used in Midwifery Practice
- Signs & Symptoms of Pregnancy
- Diagnosis of Pregnancy
- Calculating Expected Date of Delivery (EDD)
- Infection Control and Prevention
Assessment of Fetal Well-being
- Abdominal Palpation and Auscultation
- Auscultation using a pinard stethoscope and doptone
- Methods of Fetal assessment and monitoring-auscultation, amniotic fluid, ultrasound
- Introduction to electronic fetal monitoring
Assessment of Maternal Well-being
- Vital signs in Midwifery Practice
- ISBAR Communication Tool
- Collecting urine specimens & urinalysis
- Documentation in midwifery practice-IMEWS, intake and output
Introduction to maternity services in Ireland
- The Booking visit and subsequent care
- Bloods and schedule of care
- Scope of midwifery practice/aim of midwifery care/aims of antenatal care
Postnatal
- Introduction to physiology of puerperium
- Postnatal examination of mother
Infant Care Practices
- Introduction to Breastfeeding
- Introduction to Bottle feeding
- Infant care practices-bathing, eye care, umbilical cord care, nappy care
Clinical Skills:
- Hand Hygiene
- Application of Personal Protective Equipment
- Sharps Handling and Disposal
- Linen and Waste Management
- Enabling/helping clients to achieve activities of daily living – Dressing, Washing, Vulva toileting, Bowel care, and pressure area
care, commode, bedpan
- Abdominal examination and auscultation
- Clinical Skills for taking and documentation of vital signs
- Collection of urine samples and urinalysis
- Postnatal examination of the mother
- Infant care practices-bathing, eye care, umbilical cord care, nappy care
- Breastfeeding
- Bottle-feeding