University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 1 | Credits: 5

The aim of this module is to explore the needs of the healthy newborn infant and the role of the midwife in providing safe, competent, kind, compassionate and respectful care to support these needs. This module will provide the evidence, knowledge and skills necessary to support the needs of the healthy newborn infant and to support families to meet these needs. Normal anatomy, physiology and behavioural responses of the newborn and infant will be addressed. This module will prepare students with the level of knowledge and skills required to implement evidence-based midwifery care for healthy newborns as they adapt to extra uterine life and during the days after birth. This immersion in normal adaptations will support students‟ recognition of the need, on occasions, to escalate care for newborn infants. The philosophy underpinning this module recognises that the healthcare of infants does not exist in a vacuum and all care will be placed in the context of family development.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Discuss, in-depth, the changes in anatomy and physiology of the fetus and newborn infant and describe successful adaptation to extra uterine life
  2. Identify the normal adaptations of the newborn infant to extra uterine life, the appropriate strategies to support them and recognize when escalation of care is required
  3. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and skill (underpinned by the evidence) required to successfully complete an assessment of the wellbeing of the newborn infant (immediately after birth and during the early postnatal days)
  4. Identify the knowledge and skills required to assess, plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based care, in partnership with women / families, for healthy newborn infants
  5. Apply the principles of health education and health promotion to support women / families in their safe care of the newborn infant
  6. Articulate the importance of working collaboratively with other health care professionals to plan and implement care for newborn infants
Assessments
  • Written Assessment (50%)
  • Oral, Audio Visual or Practical Assessment (50%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "Skills for Midwifery Practice" by Johnson, R. & Taylor, W.
    Publisher: Elsevier
  2. "Examination of the Newborn: An evidence-based guide" by Lomax, A.
    Publisher: Wiley Blackwell
  3. "Care of the Newborn by 10 Teachers." by Lumsdon, H. & Holmes, D.
    Publisher: Hodder Arnold Publications
  4. "Mayes' Midwifery, A Textbook for Midwives" by Macdonald, S. & Johnson, G.
    Publisher: Elsevier
  5. "Myles Textbook for Midwives" by Marshall, J. & Raynor, M.
    Publisher: Churchill Livingstone,
The above information outlines module NU6555: "Care of the Well Neonate" and is valid from 2019 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.