Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Articulate the midwife’s role in the care and management of women who experience complications, whether pre-existing or arising in pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period.
Demonstrate knowledge of and utilisation of best practice in the provision of midwifery care for women experiencing complications during pregnancy, intrapartum and postnatal periods.
Articulate the boundaries of midwifery practice in caring for women with complications, and discuss the referral, consultative and collaborative pathways midwives utilize, in conjunction with midwifery colleagues (AMP, CMS), medical colleagues and other members of the multidisciplinary team in the provision of care.
Critically discuss the appropriate management in acute situations, which may compromise the well-being of woman, fetus or both.
Critically evaluate the value and limitations of technology in the care of women with complications during the childbearing cycle;
Appreciate the possible psychosocial effects of the experience of complexities in and of pregnancy, birth and puerperium and altered health states on the woman and her family, which may require specialist referral.
Critically evaluate the effectiveness of midwifery care in the context of the care provided by the multidisciplinary team
Indicative Module Content:
Infertility
Infections in pregnancy and childbirth: Sexually Transmissible Infections, streptococcal infections, Influenza, Hepatitis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Pertussis, Varicella, Shingles, Cytomegalovirus, Listeriosis, Toxoplasmosis, Parvovirus B19, Malaria
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Bleeding in Early Pregnancy: Implantation bleeding, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, gestational trophoblastic disease
Intrauterine death and stillbirth
Hypertensive Disorders: Chronic Hypertension, Gestational Hypertension, Pre-Eclampsia
Renal Disorders: Cystitis, Pyelonephritis, Renal Failure
Cardiac Disorders
Rhesus Disease
Haematological Disorders: Anaemia, haemoglobinopathies, thalassaemia, thrombocytopenia, von willebrand disease
Placental Complications: Placenta Praevia, Morbidly adherent placentae, Vasa Praevia
Complications of Amniotic Fluid: Oligohydramnios and Polyhydramnios
Ultrasonography in complex pregnancies: Monitoring of complex pregnancy, prenatal diagnosis
Vascular Disorders: Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism
Endocrine Disorders: Pathophysiology of Diabetes, Type I Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, Gestational Diabetes.
Endocrine Disorders: Abnormalities of Thyroid Function
Hepatic Complications: Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy, Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy, Gallstones, Viral Hepatitis
Respiratory Disorders: Asthma, Tuberculosis, Acute bronchitis, Cystic fibrosis
Neurological Disorders: Epilepsy, Peripheral Nerve disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Myasthenia Gravis, Headache/migraine, Cerebrovascular accident, subarachnoid haemorrhage
Autoimmune Disorders: Rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Antiphospholipid syndrome
Obesity
Prolonged Pregnancy
Prolonged Rupture of Membranes at term
Induction of Labour
Preterm: Preterm Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes, Preterm Labour and Birth
Multiple Pregnancy: Diagnosis, antenatal care and management, intrapartum care and management
Malpositions and Malpresentations: Occipito posterior position, Face and brow presentation, Oblique, transverse and unstable lie, Breech presentation, Obstructed Labour
Delay in first stage of labour: Active management of labour, artificial rupture of membranes, safe use of oxytocin in labour, precipitate labour
Delay in second stage of labour: Recognition and management of delay in second stage of labour
Operative Delivery: Ventouse, Forceps, Caesarean Section
Vaginal Birth after Caesarean Section
Delay in the Third stage of labour: Retained placenta, manual removal of placenta
Severe Perineal Trauma
Perineal Suturing
Urinary Complications: Urinary retention, urinary incontinence
Fetal Monitoring: Application of fetal scalp electrode, Fetal Blood Sampling and Interpretation of results, K2 training elearning modules: cord blood gas, errors and limitations in fetal monitoring , CTG interpretation case studies
Intravenous Cannulation: HSELand elearning, online quiz
Associated Clinical Skills and Simulations: Hypertensive disorders, perineal management workshop, diabetes, application of fetal scalp electrode, Twins in labour and birth, breech birth, IV cannulation, miscarriage and stillbirth