Module overview
This module enables you to build on the knowledge and skills from previous modules and experience to empower you to contribute effectively to the provision of safe and effective care for the woman and her fetus, with complex health challenges during the antenatal and intrapartum periods.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Discuss the policies (local, national and international as appropriate) and maternity services systems that influence the provision of maternity care to women with complex needs
- Evaluate the role of the midwife, in facilitating holistic woman centred care and transition to motherhood for women with complex pregnancies and diverse needs
- Demonstrate a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology and the psychosocial factors that predispose the woman to an increased risk of complexity during pregnancy and birth
- Analyse the evidence base for the care and management of the woman and her fetus/neonate where variations occur during the childbirth continuum
- Examine the care required for women with specific health or social needs and know how to effectively refer to other professionals or agencies where appropriate
Syllabus
A range of pre-existing, current or emerging conditions will be covered. Students will explore how additional care needs relate to physical, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual factors. Interprofessional/inter agency referral and working is encompassed throughout the module.
This list of syllabus content is not exhaustive but will include:
Infertility and assisted conception
Obesity
Polycystic ovaries
Endometriosis
Unplanned pregnancy/Termination of Pregnancy / Miscarriage/ectopic pregnancy
Hydatiform mole
Bleeding in early pregnancy
Medical and surgical conditions (pathological and co-morbidities)
Diabetes and other endocrine disorders such those of the thyroid
Other pre-existing conditions such as Cardiac disease, Asthma, Epilepsy, Acute Kidney Injury, Haemoglobinopathies
Maternal infection – Sexual Transmitted Infection, human immunodeficiency virus, sepsis, Hepatitis A B C, Covid-19
Red flags for non-pregnancy related medical conditions
Pregnancy Related Conditions
Hyperemesis gravidarum
Hypertensive disorders – pre eclampsia, Pregnancy induced hypertension, essential Hypertension, HELLP syndrome
Cholestasis/ Fatty Liver disease
Anaemia
Multiple pregnancy
Abnormal placental implantation
DVT / VTE assessment
Intrapartum Conditions
Mal-presentation, Mal-position
Pre-term labour - diagnosis and management
Post term labour/induction of labour/augmentation of labour
Fetal distress and fetal heart monitoring / CTG interpretation
Caesarean Section and Instrumental birth
End of life care and bereavement support
Skills
Perineal repair
Cannulation
Physiological breech
Programme threads are linked throughout and include:
Infant feeding principles
Medicines management
Mental health and well-being
Values Based Enquiry Journey
Making every contact count
Continuity of carer
Leadership
Coaching
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures
Group work
Practical /skills workshops
Self-directed learning
Technology Enhanced Learning
Online education using both synchronous and asynchronous sessions
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Wider reading or practice | 40 |
| Revision | 71.5 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 8 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 40 |
| Lecture | 27 |
| Tutorial | 1 |
| Total study time | 187.5 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Williamson A and Crozier K (2008). Neonatal Care: A Textbook for Student Midwives and Nurses. Banbury: Lantern Publishing Ltd..
Rankin J (2017). Physiology in Childbearing. Edinburgh: Elsevier.
Jackson K and Wightman H (2017). Normalizing Challenging or Complex Childbirth. London: McGraw Hill.
Hall M, Smith S, Noble A. (2009). A Foundation for Neonatal Care: A Multi-Disciplinary Guide. Radcliff Publishing.
Lapham R (2015). Drug Calculations for Nurses: A step-by-step approach. Routeledge.
Robson S and Waugh J (2013). Medical Disorders in Pregnancy. A Manual for Midwi. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons.
Knight M, Kenyon S, Brocklehurst P, Neilson J, Shakepearce J, Kurinczuk JJ (2019). Saving Lives, Improving Mother’s care; lessons learned to inform maternity care from the Uk and Ireland Confidential enquiries intyo Maternal deaths and Morbidity 2015-17. Oxford: National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit.
James DK; Steer PJ; Weiner CP; Gonik B (2018). High Risk Pregnancy: Management Options. London: Saunders.
Hollins C and Forrest E (2013). Bereavement Care for Childbearing women and their Families: An Interactive workbook. Abingdon: Routledge.
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Short answer questions
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Formative written paper feedback will be via model answers for self-directed learning, or via peers and tutor after peer assessed formative questions.
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Exam | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Exam | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: External