To equip the learner with the knowledge, skills and professional attitudes required to provide safe, evidence based, respectful and culturally appropriate midwifery care to a woman experiencing a normal pregnancy, labour, birth and puerperium, and to her healthy newborn, and to recognise and promptly refer deviations from normal.

CLO 1: Explain the historical evolution, philosophy, definition and scope of practice of the midwife within  national and international regulatory frameworks.

CLO 2:  Describe the anatomy and physiology of the female and male reproductive systems and relate each structure to its function in reproduction and childbearing

CLO 3: Explain the menstrual cycle, fertilisation, implantation, and embryonic and fetal development from conception to term.

CLO 4: Describe the structure and functions of the placenta, fetal membranes, amniotic fluid, umbilical cord and fetal circulation, including the changes that occur at birth.

CLO 5: Analyse the anatomy of the female pelvis and the fetal skull and explain their obstetric significance in the mechanism of labour.

CLO 6:  Discuss the physiological, endocrine and psychological adaptations of the woman to pregnancy.

CLO 7: Perform a comprehensive antenatal assessment, including history taking, abdominal examination and routine screening, and interpret the findings.

CLO 8: Provide evidence-based health promotion, nutritional counselling and birth-preparedness education to a pregnant woman and her family

CLO 9: Describe the physiology of normal labour and demonstrate the principles of monitoring and supporting a woman through the four stages of labour using the WHO Labour Care Guide

CLO 10: Provide care to a woman during the normal puerperium and to a healthy newborn, including support for early and exclusive breastfeeding.

CLO 11: Apply legal, ethical, professional and cultural principles, including respectful maternity care, to midwifery practice.

CLO 12:  Recognise deviations from normal in pregnancy, labour, the puerperium and the newborn, and initiate timely referral.

BNU 110 introduces the learner to the scientific, clinical and professional foundations of obstetric nursing and midwifery. The course covers the historical development and philosophy of midwifery; the anatomy and physiology of the male and female reproductive systems; the menstrual cycle, conception and embryonic and fetal development; the placenta, fetal membranes, amniotic fluid and fetal circulation; the female pelvis and fetal skull; maternal physiological and psychological adaptation to pregnancy; the diagnosis of pregnancy and the provision of quality antenatal care; health promotion, nutrition and birth preparedness; the physiology and management of normal labour; the normal puerperium, immediate newborn care and breastfeeding; and the professional, ethical, legal and cultural framework of midwifery practice. Emphasis is placed throughout on normal physiology, on woman-centred and respectful maternity care, and on the early recognition of deviation from normal.