To facilitate the student to draw upon the biological, psychological and sociological perspectives to gain a deeper understanding of pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period and how this knowledge may be used to inform appropriate and effective midwifery management and care.
Module learning outcomes
This module will enable the student to:
Explain the maternal physiological changes which occur in pregnancy, labour and puerperium.
Examine the physiological adaptation of the newborn to extra-uterine life and the normal development of the healthy newborn.
Discuss the concept of emotional health and psychological adaptation to pregnancy and motherhood.
Discuss from a biological perspective the role and function of pharmacological agents that may be used in treating and caring for a woman in normal pregnancy, labour and postnatal periods.
Apply knowledge and evidence from the biological and psychosocial sciences to inform the midwifery management and care of the woman and fetus in uncomplicated pregnancy and labour and of the mother in the postnatal period.
Discuss how knowledge and evidence from the biological and psychosocial sciences can be used to inform the midwifery management and care of the normal healthy newborn in the post-natal period.
Assessment
Task
Length
% of module mark
Essay/coursework 3000 Word Essay
N/A
100
Special assessment rules
Non-compensatable
Reassessment
Task
Length
% of module mark
Essay/coursework 3000 Word Essay
N/A
100
Module feedback
Students are provided with collective exam feedback relating to their cohort, within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.
Indicative reading
Baston, H. (2010). Examination of the newborn: a practical guide. London: Routledge.
Fraser, D.M. and Cooper, M.A. (Eds.). (2009). Myles' textbook for midwives. 15th edn. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Holmes, D. and Baker P. (Eds.). (2006). Midwifery by ten teachers. London: Hodder Arnold.
Jordan, S. (2010). Pharmacology for midwives. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillian.
Kingdon, C. (2009). Sociology for midwives. London: Quay Books.
Lumsden, H. (2010). Care of the newborn by ten teachers. London: Hodder Arnold.
Raynor, M.D. (2010). Psychology for midwives: pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Squire, C. (Ed.). (2009). The social context of birth. Abingdon: Radcliffe Medical Press.
Stables, D. and Rankin, J. (Eds.). (2010). Physiology in childbearing. London: Elsevier.