Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description

CODE MID2012

 
TITLE Midwifery Clinical Practice 2

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
EQF/MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 14

 
DEPARTMENT Midwifery

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit prepares students for their initial clinical examinations on the maternity wards, focusing on pregnant women admitted with medical conditions during pregnancy. During the first month, students participate in lectures and tutorials that introduce the essential skills required for assessing pregnant women. The curriculum also emphasises effective communication, guiding students to provide holistic care that addresses not only physical health concerns but also the psychological, emotional, and social factors that influence maternal wellbeing.

Through this study-unit, students develop increased confidence in the observation, assessment, and examination of pregnant women. The unit covers in depth antenatal history taking, nutrition during pregnancy, and the teaching and performance of breast examination in pregnancy. Students also learn to carry out obstetric abdominal examinations and lower-limb assessments relevant to pregnancy. These clinical skills are complemented by guidance and appropriate advice related to health education throughout the antenatal period. Moreover, this study incorporates the theoretical knowledge pertaining to cardiotocography and fetal monitoring during labour.

At this stage, students will be able to recognise deviations from normal findings and support the midwife in assessing maternal and fetal well-being. Having an understanding of what is normal, will help them identify when a woman’s condition begins to deteriorate. As a result, the students will be prepared to accompany and assist a midwife in an ambulance setting and observe the clinical management of obstetric emergencies.

Study-unit Aims:

This study-unit aims to discuss when and how an antenatal examination should be undertaken. It also aims to describe the criteria used to assess CTG tracings.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Describe the different components of an antenatal examination;
- Gain knowledge on biophysical monitoring of low and high-risk pregnancies;
- Define methods of intrapartum fetal assessment with emphasis on electronic fetal monitoring;
- Discuss which factors the midwife needs to consider when interpreting a CTG tracing;
- Recognise the importance of accurate record keeping.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Take a detailed history of an antenatal mother;
- Perform an antenatal examination;
- Document findings and act accordingly;
- Interpret cardiotocographic traces;
- Communicate effectively with other health care professionals and with the mother and her family in order to give good antenatal care.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Bowen, R., & Taylor, W. (2022). Skills for Midwifery Practice (5th ed.) Edinburgh: Elsevier Health Sciences.
- Gibb, D., & Arulkumaran, S. (2023) Fetal Monitoring in Practice (5th ed) Edinburgh: Elsevier Health Scineces.
- Macdonald, S., & Johnson, G (2023). Mayes' Midwifery: A Textbook for Midwives (16th ed.) Edinburgh: Elsevier Health Sciences.
- Marshall, J. E., & Raynor, M. D. (2020). Myles' Textbook for Midwives (17th ed.) Edinburgh: Elsevier Health Sciences.

Supplementary Readings:

- National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (2021) Antenatal Care, Retrieved November, 16, 2023, from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng201
- National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (2022) Fetal Monitoring in Labour, Retreived November 16, 2023, from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng229

 
RULES/CONDITIONS Before TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST TAKE MID1018

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Please note that a pass in each assessment component is obligatory for an overall pass mark to be awarded.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Independent Study, Placement & Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Clinical Report [See Add. Notes] SP Yes 10%
Clinical Assessment [See Add. Notes] SP Yes 90%

 
LECTURER/S Nicole Borg Cunen
Nathalie Craus (Co-ord.)

 

 
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2026/7. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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