MDWF 2020

Course Description

This course focuses on various elements of promoting a healthy pregnancy and caring holistically for clients. Students will create client educational materials or prenatal care plans which address nutritional, physical, environmental, emotional, social and sexual needs, changes and risks during pregnancy. Students will develop practice guidelines for several common disorders, diseases and infections during pregnancy. Case studies are utilized to demonstrate the application of clinical judgment and management within the scope of care of the Certified Professional Midwife. The following topics are examined as they relate to pregnancy: exercise, weight gain, herbs, tobacco exposure and cessation, optimal fetal positioning, glucose metabolism, and gestational diabetes screening. The course also introduces students to some complications of pregnancy they will revisit in later courses. Other topics explored include late term and postterm pregnancy, urinary tract infections, environmental hazards and illnesses caused by environmental exposures, fifth disease, infectious disease reporting, unintended or mistimed pregnancies, abuse during pregnancy and substance use. Additional consideration is given to adolescent pregnancy, advanced parental age, grand multiparity, excess weight, and care of persons from populations on the margins such as those impacted by racism, xenophobia, religious intolerance, homophobia, transphobia, sizism, classism or other differentisms. Students will explore how to help foster their client’s wellbeing and resilience through a focus on emotional health, psychosocial care, cultural humility, and structural competency (Midwives Community College, 2021).

Prerequisites: MDWF 2010 - passed Winter 2021 term

3.5 credits

References