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Curricular information is subject to change
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
● Identify promptly ‘at risk’ infants in the neonatal period, and the factors that may pre-dispose them to a deviation from the expected norm, and communicate this information effectively to parents and relevant members of the multidisciplinary team.
● Develop the ability to identify, prevent, and ameliorate feeding challenges where a baby’s condition is complicated or the baby is unable to feed.
● Recognise symptoms of the major congenital, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic and endocrine disorders that can occur in the neonatal period, and initiate timely referral to senior midwifery and medical personnel for specialised care & treatment.
● Recognise signs of respiratory or circulatory compromise, and can initiate resuscitation measures
● Develop & implement an evidence-based, family-integrated plan of midwifery care for an unwell or at-risk neonate, in collaboration with the baby's parents/caregivers and the multidisciplinary team.
Role of the midwife in the provision of neonatal care and monitoring neonatal health and well-being.
The role and responsibilities of the midwife within the Neonatal Unit (NICU/HDU/SCBU) multidisciplinary team.
Promotion of parent/family-infant relationship and facilitating 'family-integrated' care when families are separated from their baby being cared for in a neonatal unit.
Specialised assessment of foetal and neonatal well-being. Non-invasive and Invasive methods of foetal testing and screening- Chorionic Villus sampling/Amniocentesis. Other methods of foetal assessment and treatment -Ultrasound/Biophysical profile/Doppler studies/Anomaly Scan/Intrauterine Growth Centiles; Intrauterine transfusion; Intrauterine surgery; Diagnostic Imaging- Echocardiography, MRI, CXR, PFA, Barium studies.
Birth trauma; Birth asphyxia; The Shocked/Compromised Baby; Neurological Disorders: recognition of signs and symptoms of neurological dysfunction; Cord pH values and interpretation of blood gases/acid-base balance/metabolic acidosis/respiratory acidosis/buffers; Passive and Therapeutic Hypothermia; Follow-up care of the compromised baby; Recognition of neonatal pain; Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief.
The low-birth weight baby; The Preterm Baby- ethical aspects of resuscitation and care; Intrauterine growth restriction; Twins and multiples; Characteristics of prematurity- investigations, care and monitoring.
Pathological Jaundice- recognition, pathophysiology, care & treatment required; Rhesus incompatibility; role of Anti-D Immunoglobulin for Rhesus D prophylaxis; ABO incompatibility; Biliary obstruction; Metabolic disorders; breast milk jaundice.
Congenital and chromosomal disorders- Discuss the recognition and midwifery care advised for the most common congenital abnormalities/birth defects including emotional support for parents.
Congenital infections- Group B strep, HIV/hepatitis/Syphilis/ TORCH infections/Rubella; Pregnancy disorders e.g. diabetes in pregnancy, pre-eclampsia; drug/alcohol exposure and their effects on the foetus and neonate;
Neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality. Midwifery care for the following: The Stillborn Baby; Sudden Unexpected Postnatal Collapse; Early Neonatal Death; Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); Critically appraise the Irish and international data and trends around perinatal morbidity and mortality and consider the role of midwife in the prevention and/or care of those affected- legal requirements, palliative care, spiritual support, bereavement care.
Neonate and Infant Safeguarding- Children's First Legislation; Legal aspects of care- consent for treatment, legal parents and guardians,
Theory and skills of neonatal resuscitation.
Critically appraise national and international evidence-based guidelines and original (primary) research regarding neonatal care.
BSc Midwifery students ONLY: Four hours of research-focused, didactic lectures and an interactive online workshop will build upon knowledge of the research methods and activities midwives employ to develop and promote evidence-based midwifery care of the neonate. This 4-hours builds upon 4-hours of research-focused theory delivered in Stage 2 (NMHS20690 The Newborn Infant) and an additional hours of research-focused theory in Stage 1 (shared module NMHS10360 Scholarship of Enquiry).
Higher Diploma in Midwifery students ONLY: attend a full-day neonatal resusciation workshop/OSCE, adhering to the AAP 'Newborn Resuscitation Programme, 8th edition' textbook. Theory pre-requisites to be completed prior to workshop attendance.
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 36 |
| Practical | 4 |
| Specified Learning Activities | 5 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 76 |
| Online Learning | 4 |
| Total | 125 |
Not applicable to this module.
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | % of Final Grade | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment: Chose from one of four/five assignment titles. Prepare a written submission in the style of a journal article, following the 'Guidelines for Authors' of a chosen maternity-focused healthcare journal. | Coursework (End of Trimester) | n/a | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 60 |
| Practical Examination: OSCE assessing core skills for midwifery practice, including resuscitation of the neonate. | Unspecified | n/a | Pass/Fail Grade Scale | Yes | 10 |
| Examination: A one-hour, multiple choice questionnaire examination. Focus of questions: anatomy, physiology, and disease processes underpinning the major neonatal disorders. | End of trimester MCQ | No | Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% | No | 30 |
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Spring | No |
• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities
- Online Feedback individually to students, post-assessments via Brightspace - Online Group/class feedback, post-assessment - Online automated feedback - Self-assessment activities
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Ms Mary Curtin | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Deirdre O'Donnell | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Lisa Rogers | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Online Learning | Offering 1 | Week(s) - -1 | Fri 09:00 - 13:50 |
| Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - -1 | Mon 09:00 - 12:50 |
| Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 0 | Mon 09:00 - 12:50 |
| Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - -1 | Mon 14:00 - 15:50 |
| Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 0 | Mon 14:00 - 15:50 |
| Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - -1 | Thurs 09:00 - 12:50 |
| Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 0 | Thurs 09:00 - 12:50 |
| Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - -1 | Tues 09:00 - 12:50 |
| Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 0 | Tues 09:00 - 12:50 |
| Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - -1 | Wed 09:00 - 12:50 |
| Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 0 | Wed 09:00 - 12:50 |
| Laboratory | Offering 2 | Week(s) - 0 | Fri 09:00 - 13:50 |
| Laboratory | Offering 2 | Week(s) - -1, 0 | Tues 14:00 - 15:50 |
| Laboratory | Offering 3 | Week(s) - -1, 0 | Wed 14:00 - 15:50 |