On completion the students will be able to:
• Discuss the key general principles and concepts that underpin maternity care, including informed consent and woman-centred care.
• Identify and describe the key physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period.
• Discuss the provision of preconceptual care, including infertility and artificial reproductive technologies.
• Discuss the provision of antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care for the woman, fetus and neonate.
• Identify and describe the key maternal and fetal complications that can arise during pregnancy, labour and birth.
• Identify and describe the key maternal and neonatal complications that can arise during the immediate postnatal period.

UNIT ONE: PRECONCEPTION, CONCEPTION AND EARLY PREGNANCY

1.1 Related anatomy and physiology: The menstrual cycle; Embryology and fetal development including multiple pregnancy and fetal circulation; Placenta, membranes and umbilical cord; Physiology of pregnancy

1.2 Preconception care; Preparing and planning for pregnancy; Artificial reproductive technology; Diagnosis of pregnancy

1.3 Complications and obstetric emergencies: Bleeding in early pregnancy; Pregnancy loss <12 weeks; Ectopic pregnancy; Critical illness in pregnancy

UNIT TWO: ANTENATAL

2.1 Physiological pregnancy: Physiology of pregnancy; Care and management during pregnancy; Supporting women during pregnancy

2.2 Supported and specialised care during pregnancy; Prenatal diagnosis and fetal assessment in complex pregnancy; Obesity; Diabetes mellitus; Haemotological disorders; Autoimmune disorders; Neurological disorders; Infections; Cardiovascular disease

2.3 Complications and obstetric emergencies; Pregnancy loss > 12 weeks; Antenatal haemorrhage; Hyperemesis gravidarum; Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy + HELLP syndrome; Maternal-fetal blood incompatibility; Premature, preterm rupture of membranes

UNIT THREE: INTRAPARTUM

3.1 Physiological labour and birth: Physiology of first, second and third stage of labour; Care and management during the first, second and third stage of labour; Supporting women during the first, second and third stage of labour

3.2 Supported and specialised care in labour and birth: Pharmacological analgesia and anaesthesia; Operative birth (instrumental and caesarean section) + episiotomy; Induction of labour; Delay in labour incl. amniotomy, malposition, malpresentations, and treatments to accelerate labour; Electronic fetal monitoring; Preterm labour and birth; Multiple birth

3.3 Complications and obstetric emergencies of labour and birth: Shoulder dystocia; Uterine rupture; Breech birth; Cord Prolapse; Primary postpartum haemorrhage; Retained placenta; Uterine inversion

UNIT FOUR: POSTNATAL

4.1 Physiological Puerperium and transition to extrauterine life: Physiology of puerperium; Physiology of transition from fetus to neonate; Care and management during the immediate postnatal period; Supporting families during the immediate postnatal period

4.2 Supported and specialised care during the postnatal period: Care after operative birth; Supporting recovery of the damaged pelvic floor after birth; Supporting those with a history of mental disorders; The high-risk newborn: preterm, large/small for gestational age, diabetic mother, drug-exposed

4.3 Complications and obstetric and neonatal emergencies: Secondary postpartum haemorrhage; Puerperal infection and sepsis; Thromboembolic disorders; Recognising illness in the neonate; Pathological jaundice

Students considering taking this module (elective or international) should be in at least Stage 3 of an undergraduate nursing programme. Please contact the module co-ordinator for further information

• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities

Feedback on the 4 online quizzes will be made available within 20 days after due date. Students will be able to view their answers, and whether they were correct or not, and also an explanation.