MW7055 Midwifery Practice 5 (5 ECTS)

Learning Outcomes

Following completion of this module the student should be able to:

• Practice core midwifery skills with competence and confidence whilst recognising their future learning needs;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to perform accurate assessment in all aspects of midwifery practice;
  
• Provide women with accurate factual information tailored to their individual needs;
  
• Obtain informed consent from women at all appropriate times;
  
• Begin to demonstrate decision making skills in relation to midwifery practice and care;
  
• Begin to demonstrate the ability to recognise and rationalise deviations from physiological processes and access appropriate referrals;
  
• Demonstrate the skills of appropriate referral when women require care other than that provided by a midwife;
  
• Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate actions, procedures and protocols to be followed in emergency situations;
  
• Show evidence of recognition of the boundaries between the midwifery and obstetric professions;
  
• Demonstrate a confident and competent approach to infection control in midwifery practice;
  
• Demonstrate an understanding of local practices and policies and begin to relate these to research and evidence based care;
  
• Display an awareness of the factors that influence access to and uptake of maternity services;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as a team member;
  
• Demonstrate an understanding of the factors that influence the scope of midwifery practice;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to address all aspects relating to the storage and administration of medications in practice;
  

Gynaecological placement

• Participate in the care of women experiencing varied gynaecological conditions;
  
• Identify available support systems for these women and their families and demonstrate the ability to access these support systems;
  
• Provide and participate in the care of women experiencing miscarriage or stillbirth.
  

Operating theatre

• Identify key features that contribute to positive midwife/doctor/woman interaction/communication in the operating room situation;
  
• Be aware of the mechanisms employed by all professionals and personnel in preserving and protecting a woman's privacy and dignity in the operating room setting;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to participate in the provision of information and psychological support prior to surgery;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to prepare women physically for surgery;
  
• Participate in and provide care to women undergoing elective and emergency surgery;
  
• Participate in the provision of care to women who are anaesthetised or unconscious;
  
• Participate in the provision of care to women immediately recovering from anaesthesia and surgery.

Module Learning Aims

For organisational purposes, this 6 week period of midwifery practice is made up of a four week placement in either an antenatal or postnatal area and a one week placement in gynaecology and one week placement in operating theatre. At the beginning of the 2nd half of the 18 month programme, midwifery students are expected to develop their core midwifery practice skills and knowledge. They are expected to rationalise practice, display an understanding of theory underpinning practice as well as begin to appraise their practice in a critical manner. Midwifery students are expected to display the ability to access salient research and evidence that support practices, procedures, policies and experiences. Exposure to pathophysiological conditions will begin the process of questioning practices and skills as well as reasoning and confirming physiological progression and disease prevention.

The gynaecological placement will afford students with the opportunity to care for women experiencing early pregnancy problems and loss and for women and their families who have been bereaved through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or disability.

In the operating theatre, midwifery students will to observe and participate in the care of women undergoing planned and emergency obstetric and gynaecological surgery and procedures.

Recommended Reading List

Indicative Resources

• An Bord Altranais (2000) Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework. An Bord Altranais, Dublin.
  
• An Bord Altranais (2007) Guidance to Nurses and Midwives on Medication Management. An Bord Altranais, Dublin.
  
• An Bord Altranais (2010) Practice Standards for Midwives. An Bord Altranais, Dublin.
  
• Chapman, V., (ed.) (2003) The midwife's labour and birth handbook. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford.
  
• Fraser D.M. and Cooper M.A.,(eds.) (2009) Myles Textbook for Midwives, 15th edn. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.
  
• Henderson C. and MacDonald S. (eds.) (2004) Mayes' Midwifery: A Textbook for Midwives, 13th edn. Bailliere Tindall, London.
  
• Kirkham, M., (ed.) (2004) Informed Choice in Maternity Care. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.
  
• Raynor M., Marshall J. and Sullivan, A., (eds.) (2005) Decision Making in Midwifery Practice. Churchill Livingstone, London.
  

* Additional readings will be given for each unit of learning.