Required in stage
Optional in stage
Second term
Both terms
This year
Next year
Alternating years
External
Prerequisites
Identical coursesPhysiological labour and confinement (B-TM-Z12131)
Lippens Kristien (coordinator) | Peeters Marie | N. Aims
Learning Objectives
The student:
names and describes the anatomy of the bony and soft birthing canal as well as the foetal skull.
names and describes the hormones that affect parturition.
describes in his own words the physiological processes that take place during the different phases of parturition.
assesses an obstetric case and draws up an appropriate policy from a holistic approach.
performs and explains the following obstetric skills: inspection, palpation, auscultation, vaginal examination, observation of contractions, taking a medical history, manual pelvic examination, partus in head position, placental examination, sterile dressing and preparation of sterile instrument table
interprets maternal and foetal well-being during parturition and establishes appropriate policies.
possesses the knowledge and skill of reporting.
Previous knowledge
To be admitted to the first year, candidates must hold a secondary education certificate issued by the Flemish, French or German Community of Belgium. These certificates give access to all forms of higher education. For candidates with only a foreign diploma, a proficiency level of the Dutch language is required, issued by a recognised language institute. You can find more information on the website of Thomas More or contact the Thomas More university college by telephone.
The OPO 'physiological birthing (VR-Bridge)' can only be followed by students who already have a bachelor degree in nursing.
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
4 ects. Physiological labour and confinement (VR-Brug) (B-TM-Z54610)
DutchFormat: Lecture-practical-assignment
6 
First termPeeters Marie | N. Content
The OPO includes the following sections:
The anatomy of the female and male genitalia, the bony and soft birthing tract, irrigation and innervation of the small pelvis. The content and expectations are explained during the first K-Lab anatomy. During K-Lab 2 and 3, the basics will be taught. Students can always ask Kristien Lippens for clarification during the semester by e-mail. Questions about the study material can also be asked during the monitoring session (see class schedule).
The physiology of normal childbirth. The lecture dwells on 'what is physiology and what is a normal parturition'. Furthermore, the student acquires knowledge about the hormones during pregnancy and parturition (progesterones, oestrogens, CRH, prostaglandins, oxytocin, catacholamines, endorphins), how parturition starts and which phases there are during parturition, each with their own physiological processes. This part will be taught by Kristien Lippens. For each lesson you are asked to prepare yourself before the start of the lesson.
The methodology of normal parturition, in other words the practical actions in the context of admitting the pregnant woman, following up a labour, carrying out a normal partus and the task of the midwife during the placental and post-placental phase (miv midwifery skills). In addition to physiological obstetrics, the focus is on supporting the client. This part is taught by Kristien Lippens and Marie Peeters. Here too, you are asked to come prepared for the class.
Course material
Study cost: 26-50 euros (The information about the study costs as stated here gives an indication and only represents the costs for purchasing new materials. There might be some electronic or second-hand copies available as well. You can use LIMO to check whether the textbook is available in the library. Any potential printing costs and optional course material are not included in this price.)
-Handbook (mandatory): Bogaerts, A., Geerdens, L., & Gooris, F. (2019). Obstetrics. Normal parturition and puerperium. Antwerp-Apeldoorn: Garant.
Powerpoint presentations, step-by-step plans, checklists, processing exercises: see Canvas.
-Film material skills/knowledge clips: see Canvas
-Reference books (not compulsory):
Handbook: P. Joep Dörr ea (2017). Obstetric interventions. Reed Business Education
Handbook: Y. Jacquemyn ea (2015). Handbook of obstetrics. Acco
Format: more information
This group of students acquires the material by guided self-study. The learning platform of the regular course is available.
The students can contact the lecturer during the semester in case of ambiguities. The initiative for this lies with the student.
Evaluation
(B-TM-Z82131)
Explanation
| Assessment | Grading scale |
|---|---|
| TOTAL | 1-20/20 scale |
The exam consists of three parts:
- One obstetric skill (birthing mechanism with partus handles, vaginal examination, Leopold handles, auscultation, pelvic examination, sterile dressing, preparation of sterile field, placenta examination, taking an anamnesis, surgical hand disinfection) without preparation time.
- Two written questions on the 'anatomy' section
- Two oral questions (teaching contents physiology and methodology) with written preparation time and a statement of midwifery term
The exam will be scheduled in the first exam period
The midwifery skill is marked out of 10, the written part anatomy is marked out of 10 and the oral part is marked out of 30. The total of 50 points is reduced to one point out of 20.
Criteria for passing the OPO 'Physiological parturition': If the student obtains 3/10 (competency and written part) or 6/20 (oral part) or less for one part of the exam (parts see above), he can still obtain a maximum of 9/20 for the total of the course unit.
Restriction of tolerance credit:
Students are allowed to use a maximum of half of their tolerance credit in learning line 1-2-3 of which this OPO is a part.
Information about retaking exams
This course unit does not allow partial mark transfers.
Examination form EP3 is completely identical to examination form EP1. The three parts (skill, written part anatomy and oral part) are examined in EP3 on 1 day.