Learning Outcomes:
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.
Indicative Module Content:
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