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During this module you will develop the knowledge and skills required to give care to women, birthing persons and their families during birth and the immediate post-partum period. You will learn about the anatomical, physiological, psychological and epigenetic adaptations of both the mother and baby during labour and birth. You will also learn about the significance of providing compassionate evidence-based woman/person-centred care, appropriate to the needs of the woman/person and her baby.
Key areas:
Birth - Anatomy and physiology and its application in labour and birth.
The midwife’s role in caring for of a woman/person and her family. Maternity triage.
Introduction to fetal heart rate monitoring.
Supporting women with the pain of labour.
Movement and positions in labour.
Fetal circulation/physiological adaptation of the neonate.
Giving emotional support to birthing women/persons and their families.
Administration of intravenous therapy.
Injection technique.
Vaginal examinations.
Procedures and practical skills in midwifery – episiotomy, suturing and care of the perineum.
Introduction to pre-operative and post-operative care.
Introduction to the operating theatre environment.
Examination of the placenta.
Neonatal care -
Care of the neonate at birth and in the initial postnatal period - midwives role.
Neonatal resuscitation.
Infant nutrition - introducing the principles and practices immediately after birth that ensure knowledge and practice of the Baby Friendly Initiative enabling women/persons to breastfeed.
Programme strands included in this module:
Introduction for research evidence and ethics around labour and birth.
Academic skills.
Working within a multidisciplinary team.
Clinical skills for midwives for labour and birth.
Patient safety agenda.
An introduction into pharmacology and medicines management.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:
LO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of normal changes to anatomy, physiology, psychology and epigenetics of women/people during birth and in the initial twelve hours postpartum.
LO2: Outline the key elements of compassionate evidence based woman/person-centred midwifery care during labour and birth.
LO3: State the extra-uterine physiological adaptations made by the baby in the perinatal period and conduct the initial newborn examination.
LO4: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the importance of optimising normal physiological processes, supporting safe psychological, social and cultural situations, and working to promote positive outcomes and to anticipate and prevent complications.
LO5: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of pharmacology and the ability to recognise the positive and adverse effects of medicines across the continuum of care.