Skilled Companionship in Midwifery - HEA00140H

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  • Department: Health Sciences
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2025-26

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
B Spring Term 2025-26

Module aims

  • To analyse the meaning and value of midwifery practice, focusing on the role of the midwife and the development of skills needed to provide effective, holistic, woman-centred care in a dynamic social and professional climate.
  • To further explore the meanings of pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood from multi ethnic/cultural perspectives and analyse the attitudes, beliefs and value systems of women, midwives and society in relation to effective maternity care.
  • To critically reflect on the role of professional communication in providing safe and effective care in complex social and clinical settings.

Module learning outcomes

This module will enable the student to:

  1. Critically reflect on the role of professional communication in providing safe and effective midwifery care in more complex social and clinical settings.
  2. Examine differing attitudes, values and belief systems between cultural/ethnic groups in relation to childbirth, parenthood, kinship and social support.
  3. Analyse the socio-political influences upon childbirth in complex situations, the needs and expectations of women and their families, and the provision of maternity care.
  4. Reflect on the skills and abilities required by the student to undertake the role of skilled companionship and examine their own professional developmental needs, when caring for women with complex care requirements.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Written feedback within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.

Indicative reading

  • Byrom, S. and Downe, S. (eds.) (2015) The Roar Behind the Silence. London: Pinter & Martin Ltd.
  • Deery, R., Denny, E. and Letherby, G. (2015) Sociology for Midwives. Cambridge: Polity Press
  • Hunter, B.and Deery, R. (2008) Emotions in Midwifery and Reproduction. Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan
  • Kirkham, M. (2010) The Midwife-Mother Relationship (2nd Ed). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
  • Leap, N. and Hunter, B. (2016) Supporting Women for Labour and Birth. Abingdon: Routledge
  • Page, L.A. and McClandlish, R. (eds) (2006) The New Midwifery: Science and Sensitivity in Practice. (2nd Edition) Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  • Squire C (ed) (2009) The Social Context of Birth. (2nd edition) Abingdon: Radcliffe Medical Press.
  • Campbell, A.V. (1984) Moderated Love: A theology of professional care. London, SPCK.