NMHS33060 Pregnancy, Labour and Birth

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module will focus on the provision of midwifery care for women experiencing uncomplicated pregnancy, labour and birth. The module will critically examine the provision of antenatal and intrapartum care and the role of the midwife, as expert practitioner in physiological childbirth, in the provision of this care. Students will be encouraged to critically examine the evidence underpinning midwifery care provided in the antenatal period, during labour and at the birth of the baby. An exploration of concepts relating to the well-woman, normal midwifery, partnership, informed choice and the options available for maternity care will be introduced. Development of clinical skills integral to the provision of effective midwifery care will be incorporated into the module. Safe medication management and patient safety issues will be integrated into the module content.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

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

Define the role and scope of practice of the midwife, with reference to current and possible future provision of midwifery services in an evolving maternity service.

Examine the role of the midwife in the provision of antenatal care.

Demonstrate an awareness of the individualised nature of midwifery practice.

Discuss the choices for maternity care currently available to women and their partners, in the Irish context.

Integrate knowledge of physiological changes in pregnancy and labour and the application of this knowledge to midwifery practice.

Critically assess the role of the midwife in the provision of safe, effective midwifery care to women and their partners during uncomplicated labour.

Evaluate how the midwife facilitates women’s informed choice in relation to analgesia, nutrition in labour, electronic fetal monitoring, positions for labour and delivery, and third stage management.

Critically examine evidence based guidelines for provision of antenatal and intrapartum care.

Indicative Module Content:

UNIT ONE: Antenatal Care
Introduction to the role of the midwife in antenatal care
Models of maternity care available in Ireland
Terms and abbreviations used in maternity
Pre-conceptual care and preparation for pregnancy
Signs and symptoms of pregnancy
Diagnosis of pregnancy and calculating the EDD
Evidence-based guidelines for antenatal care
Aims of antenatal care
Antenatal care: the booking visit
Subsequent schedule of antenatal care
Assessment of maternal well-being in pregnancy
Vital signs in midwifery practice: IMEWS
Assessment of fetal well-being in the antenatal period
Abdominal palpation and auscultation
Introduction to ultrasound in pregnancy: Gestational age assessment, assessment of fetal well-being
Common disorders in pregnancy
Venepuncture
Infection prevention and control, HSEland Hand hygiene

Associated Clinical Skills:
Physical examination of the pregnant woman
Assessment of fetal well-being in pregnancy
Venepuncture

UNIT TWO: Intrapartum Care
Introduction to the role of the midwife in intrapartum care
Medication management: e-learning, patient safety, drug calculation, risk management
Evidence-based care and management in the first stage of labour
Assessment of maternal-well being in the first stage of labour
Assessment of fetal well-being in the first stage of labour
Support and comfort measures in labour
Non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods of pain relief in labour
Assessment of progress in the first stage of labour
Evidence-based care and management in the second stage of labour
Transition to the second stage of labour
Assessment of maternal well- being in the second stage of labour
Assessment of fetal well-being in the second stage of labour
Assessment of progress in the second stage of labour
Facilitating birth, including perineal protection strategies
Reception and immediate care for the baby at birth
Evidence-based care and management in the third stage of labour
Physiological third stage and active management of the third stage of labour
Examination of the placenta and membranes
Assessment of the genital tract after birth
Hour of vigilance after birth
Assessment and care of the newborn immediately after birth

Associated Clinical Skills:
Assessment of the pregnant woman in labour including vaginal examination
Asepsis and infection control practices in labour
Support and comfort measures in labour
Preparation and skills for birth of the baby
CTG interpretation workshop: Identifying the normal CTG
Third stage of labour clinical skills including reservation of cord blood

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Conversation Class

18

Laboratories

7

Specified Learning Activities

48

Autonomous Student Learning

177

Total

250

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Online lectures, online quizzes, classroom lectures, class discussion, small group work, directed study, flipped classroom, simulation. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) as Registered General Nurse 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
Continuous Assessment: Online Quiz No. 3 Throughout the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

5

Assignment: Mandatory eLearning and certifications
Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

5

Continuous Assessment: Online Quiz No. 2 Throughout the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

5

Examination: 'Take-Away' Examination
Unspecified Yes Graded No

50

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

10

Continuous Assessment: Online Quiz No. 1 Throughout the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

5

Continuous Assessment: Online Quiz No. 4 Throughout the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

5

Practical Examination: Objective Structured Clinical Examination Video Submission - Hand Hygiene
Unspecified n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

5

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

10


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
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Online Quizzes: Group feedback via Brightspace within 20 days after due date Take-away exam: Individual feedback within 20 days of examination via Brightspace OSCE: Individual feedback within 20 days of examination via Brightspace. No feedback will be given on day of the exam Video OSCE: Individual feedback within 20 days of due date via Brightspace

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.

Chapman, V. and Charles, C. (2013) The midwife's labour and birth handbook. 3rd edn. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons.

Gibb, D.M.F. and Arulkumaran, S. (2017) Fetal monitoring in practice. 4th edn. Edinburgh: Butterworth-Heinemann/Elsevier.

Baston, H. and Hall, J. (2017) Midwifery essentials: Labour. 2nd edn. Edinburgh: Elsevier Health Sciences.

Baston, H. and Hall, J. (2018) Midwifery essentials: Antenatal. 2nd edn. Edinburgh: Elsevier Health Sciences.


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 Lorraine Carroll Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Paula Cornally Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Jennifer Dempsey 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) - 28, 30 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 26 Fri 11:00 - 12:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 27, 29, 31 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 Thurs 11:00 - 12:50
Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 35 Tues 08:00 - 15:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 Tues 11:00 - 12:50
Spring