NMHS41560 Midwifery Practice and the Concept of Normality

Academic Year 2022/2023

The aim of this module is to enable midwifery practitioners to critically apply theoretical insights to midwifery practice and promote physiological birth for women. This module reinforces the importance of embedding in-depth knowledge of physiology of pregnancy and childbirth for amidwifery practice. The module is rooted in evidence-based practice, women’s experiences, and the importance of ‘inner knowing’ and intuition to midwifery practice. Key concepts for exploration are the concept of ‘physiological birth' and ‘normal birth’, risk and choice, and how these competing concepts may be balanced in practice. The organization of maternity care is also critically examined, with particular emphasis on exploring the place for physiological birth in a medicalised maternity service. The importance of the mother- midwife relationship is explored. Women's birth narratives are also examined and evaluated and are central to the discourse's in this module. The potential and key concepts associated with hypnobirthing and alternative methods of pain relief and hydrotherapy during childbirth to enhance normal physiological birthare critically appraised. Finally strategies midwives can utilize such as labour hopscotch to enable physiological birth are also introduced.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Critically evaluate current philosophies, underpinning evidence and guidelines relating to labour and birth in contemproary maternity care
2. Critically evaluate and understand the existing evidence and literature pertaining to alternative definitions and practices related to the concepts of normality, and physiological birth in midwifery practice.
3 Understand the evidence and engage in critical discourse on the contextual, professional and organisational barriers and supports for physiological birth
4.Synthesise the international evidence related to physiological labour and birth, environment and relationships.
5.To critically explore the potential for promoting and facilitating physical birth from a variety of perspectives and in a range of contexts.
6.Construct and present arguments to change/develop issues in practice relating to informed consent and the capacity to critique current constructions of risk.
7. Develop further clinical skills and in-depth knowledge of normal physiologies of childbirth and alternative pain methodologies and strategies such as hydrotherapy, alternative pain methods and the labour hopscotch framework that enhance upon and support the physiological processes of birth.

Indicative Module Content:

Key concepts for exploration are the concept of ‘physiological birth' and ‘normal birth’, risk and choice, and how these competing concepts may be balanced in practice.
The organization of maternity care is also critically examined, with particular emphasis on exploring the place for physiological birth in a medicalised maternity service.
The importance of the mother- midwife relationship is explored. Women's birth narratives are also examined and evaluated and are central to the discourse's in this module.
The potential and key concepts associated with hypnobirthing and alternative methods of pain relief during childbirth to enhance normal physiological birth and strategies midwives can utilize to enable physiological birth are also introduced.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20

Conversation Class

10

Practical

16

Computer Aided Lab

6

Specified Learning Activities

40

Autonomous Student Learning

24

Placement/Work Experience

4

Online Learning

20

Cont Professional Development

10

Total

150

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Modified lecture: Introduction of learning objectives and key concepts through an interactive learning approach/ discussion
Blended/ connected learning approach - interactive online presentations/, with subsequent in-depth group discussions of the relevant literature/evidence, policy documents/ perspectives/ understandings
In- depth discussions/ demonstrations of clinical skills through workshops with Clinical practitioners
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Completion of level 8 (UCD 3) modules


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Midwifery Practice and the Con (MIDS40030)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: Assignment of 5000 words Week 12 n/a Graded No

100


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Following the assessment, I encourage you to make an appointment with me and I will do one to one feedback on your assignment including your writing style, approach to critical analysis and advise for your next written assignment. Written feedback will be provided to you.

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