Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
-Demonstrate an understanding of what the discipline of sociology is.
-Identify the complex factors surrounding the health of mother and their children
-Critically discuss the impact of the wider social context on the health of mothers and their families
-Critically discuss the influence of health policies on the current provision of maternity services in Ireland.
-Demonstrate knowledge of the rights and entitlements of women during pregnancy and childbirth
-Demonstrate knowledge of specific health and social issues and discuss the role of the midwife in relation to these particular issues.

Indicative Module Content:

Structure and provision of healthcare and social services in Ireland
-Structure and provision of maternity care in Ireland and International - past and present
-The development of maternity services in Ireland - issues of women-centered care, quality, equity, accessibility, accountability and safety
-Role of the consumer and voluntary services in the development of maternity services
-Legislation relating to employed pregnant women
-Rights and entitlements of women during pregnancy and childbirth
-National health strategies/Policies and their influence on Maternity Services

Sociology syllabus
-Fundamental sociological concepts, the nature of society
-Health and social policy in the area of pregnancy, childbirth, and family health
-Fundamental sociological concepts, the nature of society
-Reproduction and the role and status of women in society
-The sociology of assisted reproductive technologies
-The politics of breastfeeding - sociology view
-The sociology of assisted reproductive technologies
-The socialization of midwives
-Social policy and its effect on maternity care provision

Maternity care and...:
-The impact of poverty on women accessing maternity services
Women with disabilities accessing maternity services in Ireland
-Supporting women affected by prostitution and human trafficking
-Care of a woman who has experienced a sexual assault
-The 8th amendment
-Teenage pregnancy
-Fostering and adoption and the role of the social worker in maternity care
-Domestic abuse in pregnancy
-Caring for a woman suffering from domestic abuse - a midwife perspective
-Gender and Sexual minority care
-Gender, sex and Birth

Student Effort Type	Hours
Lectures	34
Specified Learning Activities	36
Autonomous Student Learning	55
Total	125

Not applicable to this module.

Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  

Description	Timing		Component Scale		% of Final Grade
Assignment: Poster - 500 words drawn from a review of the literature	Coursework (End of Trimester)	n/a	Standard conversion grade scale 40%	Yes	80
Assignment: Abstract 200 - 250 words	Coursework (End of Trimester)	n/a	Standard conversion grade scale 40%	Yes	20

 

Remediation Type	Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit	Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

Not yet recorded.

Reading List

Bryar R. and Sinclair M. (2011) Theory for midwifery practice: where the future meets the past. Palgrave MacMillan, London.

Begley C., Devane D. and Clarke M., (2009) An evaluation of midwifery led care in the Health Service Executive North Eastern Area. In The Report of the MidU Study. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin

Deery R, Denny E and Letherby G. (2015) Sociology for Midwives. Wiley, Australia
Department of Health (2016) National Maternity Strategy – Creating a Better Future Together 2016-2026.Dublin: Stationery Office.

Health Service Executive (2008) HSE Policy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence. Dublin

Kennedy P. (2008) Moving towards consumer involvement in maternity services in the north-east of Ireland. International Journal of Consumer Studies 32 (1): 27-33

Kennedy, P. (2004) Motherhood in Ireland. Dublin: Mercier Press Cork

Kirkham M. (2003) Informed Choice in Maternity Care .Palgrave, Edinburgh

Kingdon C. (2008) Sociology for Midwives. Mark Allen Publishing Ltd. England

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2010) Pregnancy and complex social factors: A model for service provision for pregnant women with complex social factors. NICE, London.

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) Practice standards for Midwives Dublin, Nursing and
Midwifery Board of Ireland.

Ryan, Salvador (2021) Birth and the Irish - a miscellany. Wordwell Publishing

Squire C. (2009) The Social Context of Birth. (2nd Ed) Radcliffe Publishing: Oxford.


Further suggested reading/sources of knowledge will be provided throughout the module.

Name	Role
Dr Paula Cornally	Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Jennifer Dempsey	Lecturer / Co-Lecturer