Module Descriptors

Module Aim:

To apply knowledge and skills within the practice context to provide safe, respectful, holistic, person-centred care.

Module Content:

This module has a focus on essential midwifery, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential midwifery care.  This will be achieved by introducing the foundation of theoretical knowledge and fundamental skills, initially in a simulated environment, followed by consolidation in clinical placement. It will provide and promote childbirth as a normal physiological process. The module will include the following theory and essential skills:

• Normal physiological childbirth (including anatomy and physiology) Preconception, antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal and neonatal care (including epigenetics) Models of maternity care Impact of race and culturally competent care Manual Handling Communication, Infection control (SIPCEP package) First aid Basic life support Vital signs Antenatal examination of the woman Postnatal Examination of the woman Examination of the newborn Urinalysis and fluid balance Vaginal examination Speculum examination Perineal suturing and perineal care Administration of medicines Venepuncture Breastfeeding Bed making Personal hygiene History taking and risk assessment Introduction to obstetric emergencies Simulation in the UWS Skills Laboratories using scenario-based learning. The SMOTs system will also be used in conjunction with simulation as a teaching and learning tool.


• This module also includes 3 practice placements (18 weeks) for the assessment of practice proficiencies at dependent level. Completion of the Midwifery Practice Assessment Document (MPAD) is a requirement of clinical placement. Proficiencies are defined in relation to application of academic knowledge to clinical practice and achievement is attained in performing clinical skills and the development and demonstration of professional behaviours (NMC Standards of proficiency for midwives, 2019).


• The student’s practice learning experience is guided, supported and monitored by the following (links): Practice Supervisors , Practice Assessor and an Academic Assessor - Standards For Student Supervision and Assessment (NMC, 2018) Standards For Pre-Registration Midwifery Programmes (NMC, 2019) UWS Work-Based And Placement Learning (UWS Regulatory Framework 1.68-1.79 2020-21) School Health and Life Science Practice Learning Statement, 2018 School Health and Life Sciences Learning Protocol, 2018. Full details of NMC Standards and UWS regulations that govern work- based learning are available in the module handbook The holistic promotion, support and maintenance of breastfeeding will be reviewed and assessed in relation to an overall, comprehensive and detailed knowledge and understanding of UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative University Standards (UNICEF,2019): Theme 1:Understanding breastfeeding; Theme 2:Support infant feeding; Theme 3:Support close and loving relationships; Theme 4:Manage the challenges; Theme 5:Promote positive communication. This module will support students to develop characteristics which can contribute to the UWS graduate attributes, which are Universal (critical thinker, analytical, inquiring, culturally aware, emotionally intelligent, ethically minded, collaborative, research-minded and socially responsible); Work-ready(knowledgeable, digitally literate, problem solver, effective communicator, influential, motivated, potential leader, enterprising and ambitious and Successful (autonomous, incisive, innovative, creative, imaginative, resilient, driven, daring and transformational (I am UWS ,2018). Module content maps to the Educational Framework for Pre-registration Midwifery adapted from the Framework for Quality Maternal and Newborn Care ,Renfrew et al., 2014) to levels: • Educational Content - Professional and Personal Development; Health and Wellbeing; Midwifery Knowledge and Practice and Complex Care. • Teaching and Learning Strategies • Student Values • Programme Philosophy • Students


• NMC Proficiencies (2019): 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.19, 1.20, 1.21, 1.22, 1.23, 1.24, 1.25, 1.27,2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.10, 2.11,3.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.12.1, 3.12.2, 3.12.3, 3.12.4, 3.13.1, 3.13.2, 3.13.3, 3.14, 3.15, 3.17.2, 3.17.3, 3.18, 3.19, 3.20, 3.21, 3.22, 3.23, 3.24, 3.25, 3.26, 3.27,4.5, 4.9, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.12, 5.13.1, 5.13.2, 5.13.3, 5.13.4, 5.13.5, 5.13.6, Domain 6.

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

L1. Demonstrate knowledge and skills when caring for women during the antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal periods, including care of the neonate.

L2. Demonstrate safe and effective practice in accordance with professional standards and regulations.

L3. Discuss infant feeding in accordance with UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative.

Exercising an awareness of the essential components of midwifery care such as safe, respectful, holistic, person-centred care.
Understanding of the physiological changes and management during preconception, antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal periods and in the healthy neonate.

Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of how to monitor and record maternal wellbeing from the theoretical principles related to the midwifery skills.

Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of theory and evidence-based research relating to normal midwifery care.

Adopting a range of strategies including utilising cognitive and psychomotor skills and applying knowledge of essential midwifery practices to provide optimal care to women, newborn infants and their families.
Practising with a understanding of UNICEF Breastfeeding Initiative Learning Outcomes to enable mothers to develop a close and loving relationship with their babies and successfully establish and maintain breastfeeding.
Applying and integrating learned theory with clinical practice in relation to performance of specified clinical skills in the practice placement setting.

Developing the skills required for assessing, planning, delivering and evaluating care delivered to women and their babies.
Understanding the rationale for normal midwifery care from both the physiological and management perspective.

Developing the skills of reflection on practice. Utilising TURAS platform for recording theoretical and practical reflections.

Demonstrating skills in a variety of communication methods such as oral presentation, writing academic essays, record keeping, searching and evaluating literature from a range of sources.

Recognising the verbal and non-verbal skills required for effective communication in midwifery practice. Awareness of potential barriers to effective communications and strategies to overcome them. Demonstrate effective communication skills for history taking and risk assessment.
Understanding of an adult learning approach to integration of theory and practice.
Demonstrating skills in analysis of numerical and graphical information. Develop skills in medicine administration.

Working collaboratively with peers and colleagues to deliver evidence-based care during preconception, antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal periods and in the healthy neonate.
Developing self-confidence, self-awareness, reflection, personal development planning and an ability to identify personal and professional boundaries to enhance employability.
Working in partnership with practice supervisors and practice assessors to acquire an understanding of current professional practice.

Complying with NMC and Royal Pharmaceutical Society guidelines carry out professional skills such as effective record keeping and safely administering medicines.

The following materials form essential underpinning for the module content and ultimately for the learning outcomes:

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time. Please refer to the Academic Engagement Procedure at the following link: Academic engagement procedure

Where a module has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:
In line with the Academic Engagement and Attendance Procedure,for the purposes of this module, academic engagement equates to the following:
Students are academically engaged if they regularly participate in timetabled on-campus and online teaching sessions, asynchronous online learning activities, course-related learning resources and complete assessments which are submitted on time (UWS Academic Engagement Procedure 2020.21; UWS Regulatory Framework, section 1.64 Academic Engagement and Attendance).

It is expected that students will attend all scheduled classes or participate with all delivered elements as part of their engagement with their programme of study.


Within this module, students are expected to attend for at least 75% of the synchronous core teaching activities to be assessed. Please refer to UWS Regulatory Framework Attendance Requirements.

Within this module 100% attendance is required for practice placements, although students who attend for at least 80% of the practice placement experience can be assessed. However, all absence in practice is required to be made up prior to exiting the programme to achieve 100% attendance to meet 2,300 hours required for registration as a midwife by NMC (NMC Standards for pre-registration midwifery, 2019; UWS Regulatory Framework, section 1.65 - specific attendance requirements).

1.03

1. More than one assessment method can be used to assess individual learning outcomes.
2. Schools are responsible for determining student contact hours. Please refer to University Policy on contact hours (extract contained within section 10 of the Module Descriptor guidance note).
   This will normally be variable across Schools, dependent on Programmes &/or Professional requirements.