Course Syllabus ©National College of Midwifery 2012
01/2012
Course Title: Newborn Pharmacology
Credits: 0.5
Course Description: This course covers the various allopathic and non-allopathic medications
that might be used for the care of a newborn in the postpartum stage. The student will learn
about the use of oxygen and medications that aid in the resuscitation of a newborn. The
various options for ophthalmic and vitamin K prophylaxis are covered in detail. This course
uses current research in midwifery and obstetrics to broaden the student’s understanding of
the following NARM skills and MANA core competencies learned under clinical supervision:
NARM Skills
I. Midwifery Counseling, Education and Communication
(3)I C. Provides education and counseling based on maternal health/reproductive/family
history and on-going risk assessment
(7)-I G. Applies the principles of informed consent
(8)-I H. Provides individualized care
(I J. Provides education, counseling and/or referral, where appropriate for:
(19)-I J 10. Newborn care including normal/abnormal newborn activity, responses, vital signs,
appearance, behavior, etc
II. General Healthcare Skills
II D. Demonstrates the use of instruments and equipment including:
(25)-II D 2. Bag and mask resuscitator
(28)-II D 5. Cord clamp and/or cord tape
(37)-II D 14. Needle and syringe
(59)-II K 4. Prescriptive ophthalmic prophylaxis ointment (e.g., erythromycin)
(112)-IV F 6. Administering eye prophylaxis
VII. Well-Baby Care
(149)-VII A. Provides well-baby care 2-6 weeks
(151)-VII C. Provides treatment for common newborn conditions such as cradle cap, diaper
rash, thrush and colic
MANA Core Competencies:
II. General Knowledge and Skills
The midwife provides care incorporating certain concepts, skills and knowledge from a variety
of health and social sciences including, but not limited to:
2 C. Community standards of care for women and their developing infants during the
childbearing cycle, including midwifery and bio-technical medical standards and the rationale
for and limitations of such standards
2 M. The ability to develop, implement and evaluate an individualized plan for midwifery care.
2 O. Knowledge and application of various health care modalities as they apply to the
childbearing cycle
IV. Care During Labor, Birth and Immediately Thereafter
The midwife provides health care, support, and information to women throughout labor, birth
and the hours immediately thereafter. She determines the need for consultation or referral as
appropriate. The midwife uses a foundation of knowledge and/or skill which includes the
following:
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Course Syllabus ©National College of Midwifery 2012
01/2012
4 L. Understanding of and appropriate support for the newborn's transition during the first
minutes and hours following birth.
VI. Newborn Care
The entry-level midwife provides health care to the newborn during the postpartum
period and support and information to parents regarding newborn care. She determines
the need for consultation or referral as appropriate. The midwife uses a foundation of
knowledge and/or skill which includes the following:
6 A. Anatomy, physiology and support of the newborn’s adjustment during the first days and
weeks of life
6 B. Parameters and methods for evaluating newborn wellness including relevant historical
data and gestational age.
6 D. Community standards and state laws regarding indications for, administration of, and the
risks and benefits of prophylactic bio-technical treatments and screening tests commonly used
during the neonatal period.
6 E. Causes of, assessment of, appropriate treatment and emergency measures for neonatal
problems and abnormalities.
Learning Activities:
A. Student reads appropriate sections from the Learning Materials/Resources.
B. Student answers the questions listed in the Learning Objectives by researching the
Learning Materials/Resources for the course and correctly cites the sources and page
numbers for each of their answers.
C. Student presents answers the questions listed in the Learning Objectives for review by
preceptor.
D. Student participates in preceptor elaboration/discussion of Learning Objectives.
E. In the case that the required texts are more than 5 years old, the student must research,
prepare & present a summary of current best midwifery care/practices appropriate to a
topic covered in this course from a current journal article/study, less than 5 years old.
F. Recommended Role-playing and/or Clinical Interactions
Note: The clinical requirement of NARM /Clinical Skills is completed at any time
throughout the ASM apprenticeship during actual clinical practice and is NOT a
requirement to complete this academic course.
Activities specific to NARM skills learned in this section:
1. Talk through or role play how you would educate the parents about newborn eye
prophylaxis, and how you would administer it.
2. Talk through or role play how you would educate the parents about newborn Vitamin
K options, and how you would administer it.
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Course Syllabus ©National College of Midwifery 2012
01/2012
3. Practice giving injections into a small lime.
4. Practice preparing the parent to hold the baby skin to skin while giving an injection.
5. Observe a neonatal resuscitation at a hospital or a video online through the
American Heart Association/American Pediatric Associaton. Discuss with staff
afterward.
6. Practice setting up all the equipment for neonatal resuscitation, including setting
oxygen at levels safe for the newborn.
7. Make a handout for parents on all the known benefits of colostrum.
8. Interview a local herbalist about remedies for newborn colic, diaper rash and thrush.
Learning Materials / Resources:
Please use textbooks less than 5 years old or most recent edition.
1. Thureen, et al. Assessment and Care of the Well Newborn. 2nd ed. Elsevier Saunders.
2005.
2. Fraser, DM, et al. Myles Textbook for Midwives. 15th ed. Churchill Livingstone Press.
2009.
3. Varney, Helen. Varney’s Midwifery. 4th Edition. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. 2004
rd
4. F. Cunningham, et al. William’s Obstetrics. 23 Edition. McGraw-Hill Professional. 2009.
5. Frye, Anne. Holistic Midwifery: A Comprehensive Textbook for Midwives in Homebirth
Practice, Vol. 2: Care of the Mother and Baby from the Onset of Labor Through the First
Hours After Birth. Labrys Press. 2004.
th
6. Weaver, Pam and Evans, Sharon K. Practical Skills Guide for Midwifery, 4 Edition.
Morningstar Publishing Co. Wasilla. 2007.
7. MEAC Abbreviated NARM Skills Form.
8. MANA Core Competencies for Midwives
9. Midwives Model of Care®.
10. Students must find 1 article/study less than 5 years old. Recommended internet links
as needed for latest developments in midwifery care:
The Cochrane Collaboration
EBSCO
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Course Syllabus ©National College of Midwifery 2012
01/2012
National Library of Medicine
PubMed
Medline
SCIRUS
Medscape
World Health Organization
Evaluation Tools / Methods:
Minimum passing grade for each course is a cumulative 80% / B-. Students and preceptors
are encouraged to work together until the student masters the information.
Final grade for the course is based on preceptor evaluation of the following:
A. Learning Objectives count for 80-90% of the final grade.
The preceptor evaluates each answer based on three elements:
1. Answers should reflect a thorough review of current literature regarding best
current practices in midwifery care.
2. Each answer should be formed in the student’s own words or paraphrased
from the text. The answer should be minimal, not a re-write of the entire text,
but enough to show appropriate comprehension of the learning objective.
3. Student identification of sources and page numbers for each of the Learning
Objectives. (Preceptor should do a random check to determine that sources
cited are correctly identified.)
B. Summary of current journal article / study counts for 10% of the final grade in the case that
other scholarly resources used are more than five years old.
C. Exam counts for 10% of the final grade.
Course credit:
One Academic credit equals approximately 15 hours of formal time plus 30 hours of additional
study or homework. Formal time is defined as the amount of time taken to answer the Learning
Objectives to the level of 80% and to complete any learning activities to the preceptor's
satisfaction, including any time spent face to face with the preceptor. Informal time includes
any time spent actively reading relevant sources and textbook/s, researching Learning
Objectives, and studying for examinations.
Learning Objectives:
A. The student must research, prepare & present a summary of an aspect of current best
midwifery care/practices appropriate a topic from this course from a current journal
article/study.
B. Student answers the questions below and cites the sources and page numbers.
1. Describe the use of ophthalmic prophylaxis in the newborn.
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Course Syllabus ©National College of Midwifery 2012
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2. Discuss the use of silver nitrate on the newborn.
3. How and when should silver nitrate be administered and at what dosage.
4. What are the adverse effects and contraindications for the use of silver nitrate?
5. Discuss the use of erythromycin ointment on the newborn.
6. What are the adverse effects and contraindications for the use of erythromycin?
7. Discuss the use of tetracycline on the newborn.
8. What are the adverse effects and contraindications for the use of tetracycline?
9. Describe the use of vitamin K prophylaxis for the newborn.
10. Describe the use of injectable vitamin K prophylaxis and its expected effect on
preventing vitamin K deficient bleeding.
11. Discuss the dose, route, and timing of injectable vitamin K prophylaxis.
12. Discuss any side effects or contraindications for the use of injectable vitamin K
prophylaxis.
13. Describe the use of oral vitamin K prophylaxis and its expected effect on preventing
vitamin K deficient bleeding.
14. Discuss the dose route and timing of oral vitamin K prophylaxis.
15. Discuss any side effects or contraindications for the use of oral vitamin K prophylaxis.
16. Describe the uses and composition of colostrum.
17. Review the benefits of each of its components, how it should be administered and how
often.
18. Describe the uses of oxygen for the neonate.
19. What are the known risks of oxygen overdose in the neonate?
20. Why is room air now recommended for use in neonatal resuscitation?
21. Explain when epinephrine is indicated during resuscitation.
22. What concentration, preparation and dosage of epinephrine are given?
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Course Syllabus ©National College of Midwifery 2012
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23. Discuss the expected effect, follow-up, and special attributes to keep in mind when
using epinephrine.
24. Explain when sodium bicarbonate is indicated during neonatal resuscitation.
25. Give the concentration, dosage and route of sodium bicarbonate used.
26. Dicuss the expected effects, signs, and follow-up procedures when using sodium
bicarbonate.
27. Discuss an herbal or homeopathic remedy that can be used for an infant with thrush.
28. Discuss the expected action for the use of the above remedy and any follow-up that is
necessary.
29. Discuss an herbal or homeopathic remedy that can be used for an infant with colic.
30. Discuss the expected action for the use of the above remedy and any follow-up that is
necessary.
31. Discuss an herbal remedy for diaper rash.
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