Bachelor in Science in Midwifery Honours Degree programme

MW3501 -Pharmacology: Midwifery Practice (5 ECTS)

Learning Outcomes

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

• Demonstrate an understanding of the legal framework underpinning drug prescribing, administration and use in general and specifically in pregnancy, labour, the puerperium and neonatology;
  
• Demonstrate the ability to address all aspects relating to the storage and administration of medications in midwifery practice;
  
• Critically discuss the key components of a comprehensive drug history and the assessment and evaluation of a woman/baby in relation to the use of a drug(s);
  
• Critically discuss the role and responsibility of the midwife in relation to the use of common pharmacological preparations pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, labour and the puerperium, in neonatology, in gynaecology settings and in emergency situations and access information on preparations that are less common;
  
• Critically discuss the range of non-pharmacological approaches (to include alternative and complementary therapies) used in midwifery practice and relate these to the role and responsibilities of the midwife;
  
• Critically discuss the impact of current legislation on the scope of midwifery practice in Ireland.

Module Learning Aims

The aim of this module is to enable midwifery students to gain knowledge of the issues surrounding the
prescription, administration and use of medication within the context of normal childbirth. An
understanding of the main groups and the factors that need to be considered before any medication is
prescribed will be developed.

Recommended Reading List

• An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (2015) Practice Standards for Midwives. Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann, Dublin.
• An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (2007) Guidance to Nurses and Midwives on Medication Management. Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann, Dublin.
• Johnson R. and Taylor W. (2016) Skills for Midwifery Practice, 4th edn. Churchill Livingstone Edinburgh.
• Banister C. (2004) The Midwife's Pocket Formulary, 2nd edn. Books for Midwives, Edinburgh.
  
• Briggs G., Freedman R. & Yaffe, S. (2008) Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide toFetal and Neonatal Risk, 8th edn. Williams & Wilkins, London.
  
• Jordan S. (2010) Pharmacology for Midwives: the Evidence Base for Safe Practice, 2nd edn. Palgrave, Basingstoke.
  
• Lee A., Inch S. & Finnigan D. (2000) Therapeutics in Pregnancy and Lactation. Radcliffe, Oxford.

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