Fundamentals of Midwifery (MJO110)

Learning outcome

The subject will include the following specific areas:

• Medical and scientific knowledge related to pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, and the newborn.
• Promotion of physiological birth, as well as midwife support during childbirth.
• Pain relief.
• Suturing.
• Midwifery skills and craftsmanship.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Social science and humanities knowledge in midwifery.
• Multicultural understanding of family formation and midwifery practice.
• Professional ethics, midwife responsibilities, and health and social legislation.
• The psychology of pregnancy.
• Theories and perspectives for midwifery I.

A candidate who has completed and passed the course will have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The candidate:

• Has advanced knowledge of the physiological development of pregnancy for mother and child and normal childbirth.
• Has advanced knowledge of the physiological birth process and an understanding of the woman’s inherent resources.
• Has advanced knowledge of normal pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, including anatomy, physiology, psychology, and pharmacology relevant to professional practice.
• Has advanced knowledge of the healthy unborn and newborn child, including advanced knowledge of anatomy and physiology as well as basic knowledge of genetics and embryology.
• Has knowledge of attachment-promoting interactions in the new family.
• Has in-depth knowledge of assessment tools, selection criteria, and the degree of monitoring, examinations, and treatments offered during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
• Has in-depth knowledge of how the pregnant woman’s and partner’s network, life situation, lifestyle, health literacy, physical, mental, and sexual health affect pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, family formation, attachment processes, and the health of the unborn or newborn child.
• Has advanced knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to breastfeeding, and factors that affect the establishment and maintenance of milk production, as well as the nutrition of newborns if the mother cannot/should not breastfeed and/or the child cannot receive breast milk.
• Has advanced knowledge of the reactions and needs of the healthy newborn child.
• Has advanced knowledge of the midwife’s function, responsibilities, professional ethics, and the legislation regulating midwifery services, as well as reporting and alert systems for adverse events.
• Can analyze professional issues based on the history, traditions, values, professional ethics, uniqueness, and place of the midwifery profession in society.
• Has in-depth knowledge of assessment tools, examinations, and treatments offered during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, including basic knowledge of prenatal diagnostics, including early ultrasound and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).
• Can apply knowledge and skills to take independent responsibility for the follow-up of normal pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, and the healthy newborn child, including facilitating continuity and comprehensiveness in the service.
• Has advanced knowledge of the significance of family formation as a biological and psychological process, social event, and cultural and existential occurrence.
• Has specialized insight into human rights, inclusion, equality, and non-discrimination, regardless of culture, language, ethnicity, religion and beliefs, functional level, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, and family form, relevant to midwifery. Includes indigenous peoples - can be listed after ethnicity.
• Has advanced knowledge of communication and relationship building.
• Has in-depth knowledge of how variations in health literacy affect different patient and user groups’ health behavior, understanding, management, and mastery of self-care.
• Has in-depth knowledge of health pedagogical methods relevant to midwifery.
• Has advanced knowledge of the midwife’s function and area of responsibility.
• Has advanced knowledge of key concepts and theories relevant to midwifery.
• Can use the midwife’s professional competence to recognize the woman’s autonomy and engage in an equal interaction with the woman, her partner, family, other professionals, and relevant stakeholders.

Skills

The candidate:

• Knows the principles of midwifery skills/craftsmanship.
• Can analyze and apply knowledge about their own and others’ roles in various forms of collaboration.
• Can apply knowledge and skills to ensure user participation at the individual, group, and system levels.
• Can apply knowledge and skills to create a safe and trusting relationship with the woman, partner, family, collaborators, and the public.
• Can work according to the principles of evidence-based practice and conduct relevant literature searches.

General Competence

The candidate:

• Has a thorough understanding of how pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period can be preserved as natural processes with the involvement of the woman and her family as service users.
• Analyzes ethical dilemmas in midwifery.
• Can discuss the connections between physical, psychosocial, and cultural aspects and their impact on pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
• Can apply knowledge and skills to guide and educate midwives in line with the profession’s autonomy, values, and uniqueness.
• Can apply knowledge and skills to facilitate respectful, predictable, and flexible care that meets the needs of the woman, child, and partner.
• Can communicate with indigenous peoples and minorities in a way that takes into account their linguistic and cultural background.

Required prerequisite knowledge

Exam

Coursework requirements

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Study Program Director:

Method of work

1. Lectures: Traditional teaching method where an instructor presents information to a group of students. Great for getting an overview of a subject.
2. Study Groups: Small groups of students working together to understand and discuss topics. This can promote collaboration and deeper understanding.
3. Self-Study: Individual learning where you study on your own. Offers flexibility and the ability to go at your own pace.
4. E-Learning: Use of digital resources and platforms for learning. Convenient and often interactive, with access to a wide range of materials.
5. Skill Training / Simulation: Practical training often involving simulations to develop specific skills. Very useful for professions that require hands-on experience.
6. Presentations: Sharing knowledge with others through presentations. Great for developing communication skills and confidence.

Course assessment

Literature