| CODE | MID2014 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Physiotherapy in Pre-Natal and Post-Natal Women | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Midwifery | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is targeted to second year midwifery students to help them develop competence (knowledge, skills and attitudes) at point of registration in providing women with uncomplicated pregnancies, with effective and safe exercises that may enhance normal birth, prevent or decrease incidences of back pain, pelvic pain and urinary incontinence. Midwives need to be competent in assessing situations through practical sessions, where mothers would need referral to physiotherapy. Midwives are at the forefront of care of postpartum mothers and timely referral can do a lot to improve quality of life of women under their care. Expanding the midwives鈥� role beyond the core competencies to incorporate additional skills and procedures may be a new way to promote normal birth practices while improving the health and wellbeing of child-bearing women as poor health may ultimately have an impact not only on women鈥檚 lives but also on the general population. Study-Unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to engage midwifery students to properly assess and educate pregnant women in effective and safe exercises that promote health and fitness during pregnancy. Midwives need to be aware of when simple general exercises are not sufficient and where mothers would need more specific attention. Midwives have a major role in preparing a mother for birth, as well as in helping them to attain health and fitness after childbirth, by advising them on ways to prevent back pain, pelvic pain and urinary incontinence 鈥� throughout their pregnancy and post-partum period. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate knowledge of the basic anatomy and physiology of hormonal control on the musculoskeletal features of the abdomen, pelvis, vertebral column and upper limb to include: bones, muscles, ligaments, nerves and the female genital systems; - Demonstrate knowledge of an effective and safe exercise programme to attain health and fitness for women during pregnancy and the post-partum period; - Develop an understanding of the mechanisms of back and pelvic pain during pregnancy and post-partum; - Develop knowledge of pathologies impacting women during childbearing such as changes in the abdomen with accurate assessment of presence of diastasis recti; - Demonstrate understanding of the mechanisms of continence, incontinence and pelvic rehabilitation; - Instruct on perineal massage and exercises with aim of preventing perineal tearing; - Evaluate the contribution of the multidisciplinary team; and - Evaluate the conditions that require early referral to physiotherapy. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Screen women to ensure they could safely participate in an exercise program applying the principles of personalised approach to care; - Individualise care to assess women for posture, strength, flexibility, balance as well as any musculoskeletal issues that could have a bearing on pregnancy; - Recognise contraindications to exercise and the dangers of exercises that are not carried out properly; - Provide compassionate care to women sustaining pathology due to childbirth in the reproductive and urinary system; - Demonstrate understanding of the impact of childbirth traumas on women and their physical, social and psychological well-being; and - Refer appropriately to members of the multidisciplinary team (when deemed necessary). Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Bo, K., Berghmans, B., Morkved, S., Van Kampen, M. (2015) 鈥楨vidence-Based Physical Therapy for the Pelvic Floor鈥�. 2nd Edition Bridging Science and Clinical Practice, Churchill Livingston. - Clapp, J.F., Cram, C. (2015) 鈥楨xercising Through Your Pregnancy鈥� Addicus Books, Inc. US. Supplementary Readings: - Mantle, J., Haslam, J.,Barton, S. (2004) 鈥� Physiotherapy in Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2nd Edition, Butterworth-Heinemann, US. - Bourcier, A., edited by; McGuire E.J & Abrams P. (2004) 鈥楶elvic Floor Disorders鈥� Elsevier Saunders. - Sapsford, R., Bullock-Saxton, J & Markwell, S. (2006) 鈥榃omen鈥檚 Health 鈥� A textbook for physiotherapists鈥� W.B Saunders. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Carolyn Sultana |
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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 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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