BMidwif Midwifery / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Additional Midwifery Care - Part 2

Course unit fact file
Unit code NURS24102
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 5
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This unit continues the concept of complexity and additional needs and the key complications associated with birth with an emphasis on complicated intrapartum care. It will also enable learners to develop the knowledge, skills & values needed to identify and assess needs and risks and provide appropriate midwifery care for postnatal women and people, babies and families with complex health and social issues.

There is a focus on neonatal health problems and conditions that may be encountered by the midwife in the postnatal period.

Learners will explore how to help women and people overcome breastfeeding challenges which will enable them to demonstrate their achievement of a number of Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) learning outcomes as specified in the BFI higher education institution accreditation requirements.

Aims

This unit aims to: (shared aims with Additional Midwifery Care Part 1)

  • develop and enhance learners’ knowledge, skills and understanding of the impact of medical, obstetric, psychosocial and neonatal complications on birthing and postnatal women and people, babies and families.
  • enable learners to explore and critically analyse the evidence-base for the care of those with complex needs, including drug therapeutics where applicable

Teaching and learning methods

 

The 

intended learning outcomes (ILOs) and aims are all constructively aligned to ensure the teaching and assessment methods support the learners’ achievement of these to the highest standard. The assessment ensures that all aims and ILOs can be demonstrated as met during the assessment task and in order to facilitate learners’ understanding of the ILOs the following teaching methods will be used:

Synchronous classroom-based / synchronous online and asynchronous

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Small group tutorials
  • Workshops
  • Debate
  • Peer review
  • Quizzes
  • Case studies

Knowledge and understanding

  • Analyse pertinent complications that may affect intrapartum and postnatal women and people and their neonates and examine the role of the midwife in assessment, referral and provision of care.
  • Explore and critically analyse the evidence base surrounding the care of women and people and neonates with complex medical conditions or complications during the intrapartum and postnatal/neonatal period.
  • Consider the different forms of infant feeding and explore strategies to address the common challenges and complications that women and people may encounter when feeding their neonate.

Intellectual skills

  • Apply knowledge and critical understanding to the care of intrapartum and postnatal women and people, neonates and their families with complex needs.
  • Critically analyse the delivery of intrapartum, postnatal and neonatal care in the light of current evidence.

Practical skills

  • Apply knowledge of assessment of the wellbeing of women and people and neonates with complex needs in the intrapartum and postnatal period and take appropriate action when deviations from normal are detected.
  • Apply understanding of the role of the midwife and other healthcare professionals in planning and providing appropriate care for women, neonates and their families who are sick or with additional needs.
  • Critically analyse the complex circumstances that can affect lactation and breastfeeding (e.g. prematurity, maternal diabetes, at-risk babies) and use this knowledge to be able to support birthing women and people to overcome the challenges.
  • When breastfeeding is difficult or not possible, use alternative methods of infant feeding in a way that will maximise breastfeeding or enhance the likelihood of a later transition to breastfeeding.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Demonstrate self-awareness, sensitivity and effective communication with women and people, partners, families and colleagues, especially at times of stress or when discussing difficult issues and demonstrate a commitment to team-working.
  • Display full recognition of accountability for their own practice, in accordance with the Code (NMC 2018) and practice within the limitations of their own knowledge and expertise.
  • Demonstrate effective interdisciplinary communication and team working.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written assignment (inc essay) 100%

Feedback methods

Formative

Small group tutorial to present case and gain feedback from peers and academic staff.

Recommended reading

 

  • Bick D, McArthur C, & Winter H (2011) Postnatal Care: Evidence and Guidelines for Management. 3rd Edition, Edinburgh, Elsevier.
  • Blackburn S (2018) Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Physiology A Clinical Perspective 5th Ed. Philadelphia, Saunders
  • Both D & Frischknecht K (2008) Breastfeeding; an illustrated guide to diagnosis and treatment. Elsevier, Australia.
  • Boyle, M (2016) Emergencies Around Childbirth 3rd Edition, Oxfordshire, Routledge.
  • Boxwell G, Petty J, Kaiser L. (2020). Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. 3rd Edition. Oxon, Routledge.  
  • Bunston W & Jones S (2019) Supporting Vulnerable Babies and Young Children: Interventions for working with Trauma, Mental Health, Illness and Other Complex Challenges, London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers
  • Cadwell K et al (2006) Maternal & infant assessment for breastfeeding and human lactation. 2nd Edition Jones & Bartlett Massachusetts
  • Clarke E (2015) Law and Ethics for Midwifery, Oxfordshire, Routledge
  • Edwards A (2020) Postnatal and neonatal Midwifery Skills: Survival Guide, Oxfordshire, Routledge

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 26
Practical classes & workshops 6
Seminars 6
Work based learning 30
Independent study hours
Independent study 132

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Catherine Anders Unit coordinator

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