| CODE | MID4101 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Engaging with the Concept of Normality in Midwifery | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Midwifery | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is designed to encourage students to reflect on normality in childbearing. Students consider the subjective nature of the term ‘normal’, and what this term may mean to different women and in different contexts. Taking a wider focus than childbirth itself, the study-unit asks students to look at the childbearing period as a whole, building their awareness of how the attitudes of midwives and other health professional influence how this period is constructed by women and their families. The impact of society and the media on the way expectant and new parents perceive pregnancy and birth is also examined. Issues around maternal choice and autonomy are considered in the context of issues such as tocophobia. Further discussions focus on a how normal physiological birth can be promoted while still benefiting from the safety afforded by having medicalised care in close proximity. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims to: - Encourage students to reflect on the meaning of normality in childbearing; - Develop students’ understanding of how maternal constructs of childbearing are shaped; - Develop students’ understanding of issues that may interfere with physiological birth; - Encourage students to consider how normal childbearing is influenced by the medicalised model of care; - Facilitate discussion around issues of maternal choice and autonomy in childbearing; - Encourage students to think about how midwives can promote normality in childbearing. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply principles of evidence-based practice on the benefits of physiological childbirth - Articulate cultural, socioeconomic and other various factors influencing maternal attitudes towards physiological childbearing - Evaluate the threats to physiological childbirth posed by a medicalised care environment - Appreciate the value in facilitating aspects of ‘normality’ even in high-risk childbearing scenarios 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Engage critically in debates around the meaning of normality in childbearing; - Identify strategies that midwives’ can use to promote normality in childbearing; - Reflect on their own ways of thinking about childbearing Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Chenery-Morris, S., McLean, M. (2012) Normal Midwifery Practice. London: Sage Publications. - Downe, S. (2008). Normal Childbirth: Evidence and Debate (2nd ed.). Churchhill Livingstone, Elsevier. Supplementary Readings: - Downe, S., & Sheena, B. (2019). Squaring the Circle: Normal birth research, theory and practice in a technological age. Pinter & Martin Ltd. - Muscat, H., Passmore, H. Chenery-Morris, S. (2015). Contexts of Midwifery Practice. ISBN: 1446295362. - Spiby, H., Munro, J. (2009) Evidence Based Midwifery: Applications in Context. Hoboken: Wiley. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Seminar & Independent Study | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Josephine Attard Lesley Kay Rita Pace Parascandalo Georgette Spiteri (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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