Accessibility statement

Skilled Companionship in Midwifery - HEA00140H

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  • Department: Health Sciences
  • Module co-ordinator: Miss Becky Beggan
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
B Spring Term 2023-24

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.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 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.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.