NMHS33050 Maternal Health and the Newborn

Academic Year 2023/2024

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the key components of evidence-based postnatal midwifery care. Throughout this module the student is actively encouraged to critically reflect upon key concepts and issues pertaining to the provision of evidence-based midwifery care for women, their new-born babies, and their families following childbirth and throughout the puerperium. A focal point of these discussions is the important role of the midwife in the provision of evidence-based midwifery care to women and their babies following normal physiological childbirth. Additionally the module aims to develop student’s capacity to prepare for clinical midwifery practice following normal physiological birth in the postnatal setting. Included in this module is a suite of clinical and interpersonal skills to support the student meet the learning objectives. These include: postnatal clinical examination of the woman following childbirth and clinical examination of the newborn following birth. Key concepts presented to the student throughout the module include: Assessment of maternal and neonatal well/being, the importance of accurate history taking, documenting and communicating clinical findings. A central focus throughout each aspect of this module is the importance of developing quality relationships, particularly the mother- midwife relationship, which is positioned as central to quality multidisciplinary relationships. The module also includes content of UNICEF/WHO Breastfeeding Promotion and Support in a Baby-Friendly Hospital breastfeeding course and assesses the significance of midwifery practice for the establishment and maintenance of lactation and critically examines childbirth practices which adversely impact on successful breastfeeding. The module also considers issues such as availability of contraception and services for women’s health and wellbeing following physiological childbirth. The module explores the transition of the foetus to neonate, and the needs, responses and subsequent development of the infant. The health and wellbeing of the neonate is considered within the context of a family centred approach to care. The student is introduced to neonatal resuscitation measures, which may be required in the hospital or community setting.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Discuss the principles of evidence-based midwifery care for women, their babies and their families during the puerperium, utilising core concepts of compassion, caring and shared-decision-making.

Make use of the literature/ evidence provided and develop a capacity for synthesis of evidence–based midwifery practice during the puerperium.

Demonstrate evidence and knowledge application throughout the module and in the formative, end of semester assessment.

Develop a capacity for engaging in on-going critical discussion based on an in-depth understanding of evidence- based midwifery practice in the puerperium.

Educate and support women who chose to breastfeed, supporting the establishment and maintenance of lactation, providing care which is based on best available evidence as per BFHI course.

Critically evaluate women’s health and wellbeing following childbirth, sharing appropriate information and advice regarding strategies to optimise health and wellbeing after childbirth.

Skilfully assess the new-born infant at birth and during early neonatal life, with reference to knowledge of new-born anatomy, and common disorders of the new-born.

Recognise and understand the need to report deviations from normal that require medical intervention, and intervene appropriately.

Indicative Module Content:



Maternal Health Content:
Physical examination and assessment of the woman in the immediate postnatal period
Subsequent care of the woman in postnatal period
Medication Management- Drug Calculations
Principles of infection control - breaking the chain of infection, donning/doffing of PPE
Role of partner in supporting the woman in the postnatal period
Family planning and contraception
Postnatal examination at end of puerperium
Postnatal support groups in the community
Role of the Public Health Nurse
Postnatal mental health: assessment of mental health

Clinical Skills:
Physical examination of the postnatal woman

Newborn Content:
Children's First Programme
Evidence based care of the infant / infant care practices
Physical examination of the baby and care of the baby in the immediate postnatal period
Initial Steps of Neonatal Resuscitation
Subsequent care of the new-born
Hygiene Practices
Security and the new-born infant-identification practices
Preventing infection in the new-born
Common disorders in the new-born
Physiological jaundice
Inborn metabolic disorders and metabolic screening
Developmental dysplasia of the hip
Prevention of hypoglycaemia in the new-born
Safe Sleep Programme
National Healthy Childhood Training Programme
Immunisation/vaccination;
Skin to skin contact and its importance in care of the new-born

Clinical Skills:
Physical examination of the baby
Initial Steps of Neonatal Resuscitation
IM injections neonates
Heel prick (metabolic screening)

Content of UNICEF/WHO Breastfeeding Promotion and Support in a Baby-Friendly Hospital
(BFHI– 20 hour Course):
Composition of breastmilk
Supporting women to breastfeed - promoting skin to skin contact
Talking to mothers about breastfeeding and supporting women to breastfeed
Supporting women to breastfeed-positioning and attachment
Assessment of breastfeeding
Strategies to promote successful breastfeeding
Early breastfeeding challenges and management of common problems
Hand expression / pumps, cup feeding and storing EBM
Breastfeeding in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Pharmacology in pregnancy and lactation
Discharge planning and community support for breastfeeding mothers
Nutritional needs of the new-born: composition of formula milks, preparation and feeding, follow-on milks and weaning.

Clinical Skills:
Breastfeeding clinical skills

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Conversation Class

12

Laboratories

12

Specified Learning Activities

48

Autonomous Student Learning

166

Online Learning

12

Total

250

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, Online Lectures, critical discussion, clinical skills/practical demonstrations and simulation, e-learning , directed study, small group work.

 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) as Registered General Nurse and Student Midwife Candidate is required


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Practical Examination: Objective Structure Clinical Examination- Newborn Assessment Skills Unspecified n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

30

Practical Examination: Objective Structured Clinical Examination, Video Submission- Postnatal Care Skills Unspecified n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% Yes

30

Continuous Assessment: Online Quiz

Throughout the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

10

Practical Examination: Objective Structured Clinical Examination Video Submission- Breastfeeding Skills Unspecified n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% Yes

30


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Core Texts:

Marshall, J.E. and Raynor, M.D. (eds.)(2020) Myles textbook for midwives, 17th edn, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.

Johnson, R. and Taylor, W. (2022) Skills for midwifery practice. 5th edn. Edinburgh: Elsevier.

Rankin, J. (2017) Physiology in childbearing: with anatomy and related biosciences. 4th edn. Edinburgh: Elsevier.

Davey, L. and Houghton, D. (2020) The Midwife's Pocket Formulary. 4th edn. Edinburgh:Elsevier.


Recommended Reading:

Jordan, S. (2010) Pharmacology for midwives: the evidence base for safe practice. 2nd edn. Basingstoke:Palgrave Macmillan.

Baston, H., Hall, J (2017) Midwifery Essentials: Postnatal, Volume 4. 2nd Edition. Volume 4. Elsevier: Edinburgh.

Bick, D. MacArthur C. Knowles H. and Winter H. (2011) Postnatal care: Evidence and Guidelines for Management Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.

Bick, D. (2010) ‘Contemporary Postnatal Care in the Twenty-first Century’. In Byrom, S., Edwards, G. and Bick, D. (eds.) Essential midwifery practice: postnatal care. Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell, 27-48. (available as an ebook)

Bowden, J, Manning, V (2017) Health promotion in midwifery: principles and practice CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group

Department of Health (2016) National Maternity Strategy – Creating a Better Future Together 2016-2026.Dublin: Stationery Office.

Dixon, A. (2010) ‘Nurture and Nature: the Healthy New-born’. In Byrom, S., Edwards, G. and Bick, D. (eds.) Essential midwifery practice: postnatal care. Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell, 211-235.

England, C. (2010) ‘Care of the Jaundiced Baby’. In Lumsden, H. and Holmes, D. (eds.) Care of the new-born by ten teachers. London, Hodder Arnold, 99-112.

Health Information and Quality Authority (2016) ‘National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services’ Dublin: Health Information and Quality Authority

Johnston P G B. (2002) The New-born Child (9th ed.) Churchill Livingstone, London.

Lumsden, H. and Holmes, D. (2010) Care of New-born by Ten Teachers. Holder Arnold. London

Jordan, S (2011) Pharmacology for Midwives: The Evidence Base for Safe Practice (2nd Edition). Palgrave MacMillan London

Holmes, D. (2010) ‘Transition to Extra uterine Life’. In Lumsden, H. and Holmes, D. (eds.) (2010) Care of the new-born by ten teachers. London, Hodder Arnold, 11-22.

Lewis, L (2015) Fundamentals of midwifery [electronic resource]: a textbook for students Wiley-Blackwell (available as an ebook)

Lumsden, H. (2010b) ‘Thermal Care of the Newborn’. In Lumsden, H. and Holmes, D. (eds.) Care of the newborn by ten teachers. London, Hodder Arnold, 89-98.


Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland Publications:

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (2021) Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives. Dublin: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (2022) Practice Standards for Midwives. Dublin: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (2015) Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework. Dublin: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (2015) Recording Clinical Practice: Professional Guidance. Dublin: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (2020) Guidance for Registered Nurses and Midwives on Medication Administration. Dublin: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Name Role
Dr Paula Cornally Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Sally Horton Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Ciara Kirwan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
     
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 27, 29, 31 Mon 10:00 - 11:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 26 Thurs 09:00 - 10:50
Clinical Skills Labs Offering 1 Week(s) - 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 Thurs 09:00 - 10:50
Clinical Skills Labs Offering 1 Week(s) - 30 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 35 Tues 08:00 - 15:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 26 Wed 09:00 - 10:50
Spring