| This unit introduces students to the theoretical foundations for physiological pregnancy, labour, birth, and the postpartum period. Students will cover in depth, anatomy and physiology specifically related to menstruation, conception, hormonal interplays during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postpartum period and how the maternal pelvis and fetal skull work together to progress the "mechanisms of labour". The phases of labour will be critically discussed from a contemporary, woman-centred perspective. The topic of epigenetics will be introduced and its relevance in physiological labour and birth discussed. The utilisation of digital health strategies is discussed in the context of midwives assisting women to make informed labour and birth choices. |
