Programme content

• Element 1: Very Brief Advice on smoking for pregnant woman

  Element 1: Very Brief Advice on smoking for pregnant woman

  This session focuses on the delivery of very brief advice (VBA) on smoking to pregnant women, including carbon monoxide (CO) screening. NICE guidance recommends that all women are CO screened at antenatal appointments, with those having elevated levels referred for specialist support to stop smoking. This session is aimed at helping members of the midwifery team to deliver very brief advice (VBA) on smoking to their patients.

  By the end of the session participants will be able to:

  • Describe the main effects of smoking upon the health of mother and baby
  • Understand the patterns and prevalence of smoking among pregnant women
  • Provide an overview of VBA (ASK, ADVISE, ACT) and where this fits into the care pathway
  • Establish smoking status (ASK), including CO screening
  • Advise women on the best way of stopping smoking or managing their exposure to smoke (ADVISE)
  • Support women to quit or manage their exposure to smoke (ACT)
  • Deal with issues as they arise
  • Complete a short assessment to consolidate your knowledge

  Duration: 60 minutes

• Element 2: Detection and Surveillance of Fetal Growth Restriction

  Element 2: Detection and Surveillance of Fetal Growth Restriction

  This session is designed to accompany element 2 of the SBLCBv2. It will provide an understanding of the core principles of the stillbirth risks associated with Fetal Growth Restriction and the element’s suggested measures to reduce this by improving detection and management.

  By the end of the session participants will be able to:

  • Describe the difference between Small for Gestational Age and Fetal Growth Restriction
  • Describe different features of early and late onset Fetal Growth Restriction
  • Explain how pregnancies are assessed for the risk of Fetal Growth Restriction using risk factors and findings in pregnancy
  • Describe the different risk surveillance strategies once pregnancies have been risk assessed
  • Describe how fetal growth and wellbeing can be monitored when early and late FGR have been diagnosed
  • Discuss intervention in the form of early delivery for fetal growth restriction

  Prerequisites:

  Before commencing this session you should have:

  • Read ‘Element 2′ of the Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle Version Two, including appendices C and D [1]
  • Familiarity with Symphysis Fundal Height Measurement and antenatal care aimed at Fetal Growth Restriction detection
  • An understanding of how ultrasound can be used to assess fetal size
  • An understanding of what is meant by estimated fetal weight centile and birthweight centile

  Duration: 30 minutes

• Element 3: Reduced Fetal Movements

  Element 3: Reduced Fetal Movements

  This session will provide maternity healthcare professionals with knowledge to understand the association between reduced fetal movements (RFM) and late stillbirth (≥28 weeks’ gestation) and information about the impact of different management strategies.

  By the end of the session participants will be able to:

  • Describe the association between reduced fetal movements (RFM) and late stillbirth by understanding physiology and pathophysiology
  • Demonstrate awareness of evidence about the contribution of suboptimal care of RFM to late stillbirth
  • Describe the recommended management plan for women presenting with RFM after 28 weeks’ gestation
  • Evaluate care given for RFM from a multidisciplinary perspective

  Prerequisites:

  Before commencing this session you should have:

  • The standard pathway (recommended by NICE) for antenatal care in low-risk and high-risk pregnancies
  • The maternal perception of RFM
  • The interpretation of antenatal cardiotocography (CTG) and late pregnancy ultrasound scanning for fetal biometry, liquor volume and umbilical artery Doppler with reference to growth centiles

  Duration: 20 minutes

• Element 4: Effective Continuous Fetal Monitoring during Labour

  Element 4: Effective Continuous Fetal Monitoring during Labour

  This session provides an introduction to key principles of risk assessment at the onset of labour in order to determine the optimum method of fetal monitoring in labour. The session also addresses the reassessment of risk factors and use of ‘fresh eyes’ as an opportunity for risk assessment at regular intervals in labour.

  By the end of this session you should be able to:

  • Describe a risk assessment at the onset of labour to decide the recommended mode of fetal monitoring in labour
  • Explain the significance of regular reassessments of risk in labour
  • Identify the risk factors that appear in labour and recommend continuous fetal monitoring in labour
  • Identify the factors to consider when cardiotocograph (CTG) changes are noted in labour
  • Explain the role of buddy system/‘fresh eyes’ in intrapartum fetal monitoring

  Prerequisites:

  Before commencing this session you should have:

  • Completed annual training in fetal monitoring within your maternity unit
  • Basic knowledge of fetal physiology
  • Knowledge of local guideline for CTG interpretation

  Duration: 20 minutes

• Element 5: Reducing Preterm Birth

  Element 5: Reducing Preterm Birth

  This session provides guidance on the effective prediction, prevention and preparation for preterm birth, all key aspects of the Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle version 2 (2019).

  By the end of the session participants will be able to understand:

  • Demonstrate awareness of the incidence, causes, and consequences of preterm birth
  • Describe the ways in which effective prediction and prevention can be incorporated into clinical practice
  • Explain how to optimise care for mothers presenting in preterm labour

  Prerequisites:

  Before commencing this session you should have:

  • Basic knowledge of the causes and treatment for preterm birth

  Duration: 20 minutes