Midwifery

UCAS code: B720

Here's what De Montfort University says about its Midwifery course.

Midwives are fully accountable as the lead professional for the care and support of women and birthing people, and their families. They provide evidence informed care and work as part of the multidisciplinary team, liaising closely where necessary with obstetricians, general practitioners, health visitors/public health practitioners and maternity support workers/maternity care assistants.

Midwives have a public health role aiming to meet the challenges of reducing inequities and improving maternal and family health. Midwifery education, whilst rooted in promoting physiological birth, prepares midwives to care for all women and birthing people including those with complex medical, obstetric and social needs. It prepares and develops midwives to be skilled and safe, empathetic and trustworthy, developing skills of autonomy and accountability within multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams.

Midwives provide holistic care, which requires them to be ‘with woman’. The 21st century midwife needs to understand and value the importance of one-to-one care, continuity and the critical importance of the midwife-woman relationship.

During the course you will work with women and birthing people from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that the care provided focuses on their individual needs, views and preferences at each stage of the child bearing journey.

Key Features

• NMC accredited: Our course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) with eligibility to register with the NMC upon graduation enabling extensive career opportunities in the UK and worldwide (subject to country-specific criteria)

• Boost your employability: The course is split evenly between theoretical teaching and practical placements, giving you the chance to develop your skills in NHS hospitals, midwifery-led units and community areas including the home birth team, with support from practicing midwives

• Become career ready: Our graduates thrive in roles as midwives - making an impact at organisations like Barts Health NHS Trust, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.

• Build key skills: You will study a range of topics to meet the NMC standards for midwifery education. This will enable you to be proficient in providing universal care to women with uncomplicated pregnancies and to care for women and babies with additional care needs. You will qualify with the NIPE qualification (Newborn and Infant Physical Examination), also known as SPEN (Systematic Physical Examination of the Newborn)

• Hone your skills: Benefit from an established breastfeeding clinic hosted by students and staff, where you can put theory into practice working alongside lecturers who are all qualified midwives

• Recognised excellence: Awarded UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation, acknowledging DMU’s high standard of breastfeeding education and equipping you with the skills needed to support new mothers

• Global experience: Gain international experience related to your studies through our DMU Global programme, which has enabled students to understand the healthcare provision in Amsterdam.

Year One: Module 1: Principles of Universal Midwifery Care Module 2: The Social Context of Childbearing Module 3: Biological Sciences and Child bearing Module 4: Practice Module One

YEAR TWO: Module 1: Appreciating Research and Evidence in Midwifery Practice Module 2: The Newborn Infant Module 3: Additional Care Needs and Midwifery Module 4: Practice Module two

YEAR THREE: Module 1: Influencing and Advancing the Midwifery Profession Module 2: Preparation for Professional Midwifery Practice Module 3: Developing and Shaping Midwifery Practice Module 4: Practice Module Three

A wide variety of teaching and learning methods are used, putting you at the centre of learning. This includes enquiry-based learning which encourages thinking and application of theory to practice.

You maintain an electronic professional portfolio throughout the course, which assists with your continuous assessment in practice. Theory is assessed by exams, assignments, case studies and presentations throughout.

You must attend all theoretical and practice-based teaching. The theoretical teaching is normally 30 hours per week but varies as the course progresses with more self-directed learning and additional reading.

Clinical practice placements are currently based on a 37.5 hour week, typically 3 x 12.5 hour shifts when in the hospital, or 5 x 7.5 hour shifts when in the community setting.