Complex Pregnancy and Birth 2

This unit builds on the content of "Complex Pregnancy And Birth 1" and introduces students to the more complex health problems that women may experience during labour, birth and the postpartum period. Students will be assisted to develop their existing knowledge and skills by working with women and other members of the healthcare team when problems arise during labour, birth and the first weeks after birth. Emphasis is given to the collaborative role of the midwife, referral mechanisms, use of medical technology and intervention, and the implications of these for the woman, her baby and the midwife. The understanding and application of evidence-based knowledge will be utilised related to midwifery practice. Specifically the content covered will include:

• Unexpected problems during labour and birth such as inco-ordinate uterine action, the intervention cascade, cord presentation and prolapse, fetal distress, primary postpartum haemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, maternal shock and collapse;
• Collaborative and referral role of the midwife;
• Maternal health problems in first weeks after birth such as breastfeeding problems, pyrexia, secondary postpartum haemorrhage, haematomas and post-caesarean section extra care;
• Medical technology and procedures such as ultrasound, cardiotocography, epidural analgesia, forceps & ventouse, caesarean birth and care and assisting with obstetrical interventions;
• Central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring;
• Magnesium sulphate infusion;
• Intravenous infusion pumps;
• Dynamap and blood pressure monitoring;
• Advanced CTG skills;
• Perineal suturing;
• Resuscitation and care of the sick woman.

Note: The level of information in the descriptor is that which is required by the external accreditation agency ANMAC for successful approval of the course.