Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to:
● Discuss the choices for intrapartum care currently available to women and their
partners, in the Irish context.
● Critically assess the role of the midwife in the provision of safe, effective
midwifery care to women and their partners during uncomplicated pregnancy and
labour.
● Evaluate how the midwife facilitates women informed choice in relation to non-
pharmacological and pharmacological methods of analgesia during labour,
nutrition in labour, fetal monitoring in labour, positions for labour and birth,
second stage labour care and management.
● Critically examine evidence based guidelines for provision of intrapartum care
● Recognise normal findings and provide appropriate information to the woman
regarding findings.
• Describe the care required for a woman requiring a vaginal examination in labour
● Differentiate between normal findings and deviations from normal, and
report/refer/respond appropriately.
Indicative Module Content:
History taking in midwifery practice
Physical assessment of the pregnant woman and assessment of maternal wellbeing in the intrapartum period
Anatomy & Physiology:
Anatomy of female pelvis
Anatomy of fetal skull
Anatomy of external genitalia- for Vaginal Examination theory and skills
Relationship of the presenting part to the female pelvis
Mechanism of normal labour
Observational signs of labour progression and full dilation of the cervix
Physiology of labour-all stages
Structure and function of placenta, cord and membranes
Amniotic fluid composition
3rd Stage of labour – physiological and managed
Care and Management (Including Evidence base)
Evidenced based guidelines for intrapartum care
Assessment of fetal well-being in labour (intermittent and electronic fetal monitoring)
Review "application of CTG and basic interpretation of CTG lecture and skills, and interpretation NICE guidelines, and K2 chapters already completed i.e. Intrapartum Intermittent Auscultation; aspects of Antenatal CTG; aspects of Fetal Physiology"- theory and skills covered in autumn trimester "Essence of Midwifery Practice" module.
Relevant aspects of K2 chapters to be completed by students: Intrapartum CTG; Errors & Limitations in Fetal Monitoring; Cord Blood Gas.
Care of the woman in labour-all stages
Assessment of progress in labour
Support and comfort measures for the woman in labour
Supporting the birthing partner in labour
Promoting active birth
Non pharmacological and pharmacological methods pain relief in labour
Introduction to theory regarding oral, sub-cutaneous, and intramuscular routes of administration of medications relevant to physiological Labour & Birth (shared lecture content for all Stage 1 midwifery & nursing students).
Clinical skills:
Initial midwifery assessment of a woman presenting in labour including:
Diagnosis and assessment of progress in labour skills-Vaginal examination
Birthing positions for labour and birth
Preparation for birth
Assisting with birth of infant in alternate birthing positions
Review application and interpretation of a CTG
The third stage of labour – physiological and managed