MODULE SPECIFICATION KEY FACTS Module name Module code School Department or equivalent UK credits 15 ECTS 7.5 Level 6 Biological Basis of Pregnancy and the Puerperium MW3003 School of Health Sciences Division of Applied Biological, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences MODULE SUMMARY Module outline and aims The nature of nursing and midwifery practice requires strong foundations in the applied biological sciences. Knowledge in the disciplines of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutics will enable you to gain an appropriate understanding of human processes in health and illness. These processes are fundamental in your ability to make informed, rational assessments of an individual s needs in health and illness within the maternity care setting. The aim of this module is to build upon your prior knowledge of applied human biological theory and facilitate new knowledge and learning to underpin acquisition of midwifery skills for practice Content outline Fertilisation and implantation Biological basis of maternal adaptation in pregnancy Biological basis of placentation and the foetal circulation Immunology of pregnancy Genetics and the biological basis of multiple pregnancy Biological basis of assisted reproductive technologies Biological basis of labour Pain Anaesthesia Review of acid base balance and shock Newborn adaptations (including hypoglycaemia and hyperbilirubinaemia) The breast and lactation Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics of Pregnancy induced hypertension Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics of Pregnancy and Diabetes
Depression in Pregnancy Sexually transmitted infections including HIV Hypercoagulopathy in pregnancy and the puerperium Blended Learning : Wound healing Dangers of smoking and pregnancy WHAT WILL I BE EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE? On successful completion of this module, you will be expected to be able to: Knowledge and understanding: Critically evaluate the key biological principles and concepts underpinning normal physiological processes of the human body in health with particular emphasis on reproductive health Demonstrate how detailed and reliable knowledge of applied biological sciences informs midwifery practice, where deviations in normal parameters may occur Skills: Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in a professional manner concepts and complex problems that affect women and their babies in your care Identify, retrieve, organise evaluate and store data related to biological sciences and demonstrate understanding of its relevance to midwifery practice using evidence based practice Interact and effectively make judgements by the application and critical evaluation of appropriate biological knowledge Values and attitudes: Apply detailed knowledge of biological principles to demonstrate sensitivity to individuals in health and childbirth Demonstrate an awareness of your limitations in understanding of biological sciences knowledge and use your initiative to seek new and appropriate knowledge by appraising the evidence base to provide up to date care
HOW WILL I LEARN? A range of activities may be used during modules to support your learning. These activities include lectures, e learning and self guided study. This varied approach to the modules learning activities will help you to learn at your own pace and at different depths of learning dependent upon your own individual needs. Learning Activities A range of activities may be used by you during modules to support you directed learning hours. These activities include: Lectures, seminars and student led learning activities, e-learning, workbooks, and self-guided study. This varied approach to the module s learning activities will help you to learn at your own pace and at different depths of learning dependent upon your own individual needs. Teaching pattern: Teaching component Teaching type Contact hours (scheduled) Self-directed study hours (independent) Placement hours Total student learning hours Lectures 22 88 0 110 E learning 0 40 0 40 Totals: 22 128 0 150 WHAT TYPES OF ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK CAN I EXPECT? Assessments You will be required to sit a 1 ½ hour exam consisting of a mixture of short and medium length questions relating to topics covered on this module Assessment pattern: Assessment component Assessment type Weighting Minimum qualifying mark Biology exam Written exam 100% 40% N/A Assessment criteria Pass/Fail? Assessment Criteria are descriptions of the skills, knowledge or attributes you need to
demonstrate in order to complete an assessment successfully and Grade-Related Criteria are descriptions of the skills, knowledge or attributes that you need to demonstrate to achieve a certain grade or mark in an assessment. Assessment Criteria and Grade-Related Criteria for module assessments will be made available to you prior to an assessment taking place. More information will be available from the module leader. Feedback on assessment Following this assessment, you will be given a mark and overall feedback in line with the Assessment Regulations and Policy. More information on the timing and type of feedback that will be provided for each assessment will be available from the module leader Assessment Regulations The Pass mark for the module is 40%. Any minimum qualifying marks for specific assessments are listed in the table above. The weighting of the different components can also be found above. The Programme Specification contains information on what happens if you fail an assessment component or the module. INDICATIVE READING LIST Blows W (2011) Biological Basis of Mental Health, 2 nd Chapter 11 Depression edition London: Routledge, Coad J & Dunstall M (2011) Anatomy and Physiology for Midwives 2 nd Edinburgh: Mosby edition Colbert B, Ankney J, Less K, Steggall M and Dingle M (2010) Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing and Allied Health Professionals 1 st edition Harlow: Pearson Education McDonald S & Magill Cuerden J (eds) (2011) Mayes Midwifery: A Textbook for Midwives 14 th edition London: Elsevier Porth C (2011) Essential Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health states 3 rd edition London: Liippincott, Williams and Wilkins Stables D & Rankin J (eds) (2010) Physiology in Childbearing with Anatomy and related Biosciences 3 rd edition London: Elsevier Websites: www.nice.gov.uk www.geneticseducation.nhs.uk
Version: 1.0 Version date: May 2014 For use from: 2014-15 Appendix: CODES HESA Code Description Price Group 05 Nursing and Paramedical C Studies JACS Code Description Percentage (%) B720 100
NMC Domains (NMC, 2009:23) Effective midwifery practice Professional and ethical practice Developing the individual midwife and others Achieving quality care through evaluation and research NMC Competency (NMC, 2009:5) Sound, evidence-based knowledge of facilitating the physiology of childbirth and the newborn, and be competent in applying this in A knowledge of psychological, social, emotional and spiritual factors that may positively or adversely influence normal physiology, and be competent in applying this in practice Appropriate interpersonal skills (as identified in the Essential Skills Cluster Communication) to support women and their families Skills in managing obstetric and neonatal emergencies, underpinned by appropriate knowledge Being autonomous practitioners and lead carers to women experiencing normal childbirth and being able to support women throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal period, in all settings including midwife led units birthing centres and the home Being able to undertake critical decision-making to support appropriate referral of either the woman or baby to other health professionals or agencies when there is recognition of normal processes being adversely affected and compromised. Module Learning Outcomes Knowledge and understanding 1 2 Skills 1 2 3 Values and attitudes 1 2