Midwifery

Course Details

KTO KARATAY UNIVERSITY
Faculty of Health Sciences
Programme of Midwifery
Course Details

Course Code	Course Name	Year	Period	Semester	T+A+L	Credit	ECTS
02270022	Natural Birth Awareness, Support and Alternative Birth Methods	4	Autumn	7	2+0+0	2	2

Course Type	Compulsory
Course Cycle	Bachelor's (First Cycle) (TQF-HE: Level 6 / QF-EHEA: Level 1 / EQF-LLL: Level 6)
Course Language	Turkish
Methods and Techniques	-
Mode of Delivery	Face to Face
Prerequisites	-
Coordinator	Asst. Prof. Hediye KARAKOÇ
Instructor(s)	Assoc. Prof. Hediye KARAKOÇ
Instructor Assistant(s)	-

Course Instructor(s)

Name and Surname	Room	E-Mail Address	Internal	Meeting Hours
Assoc. Prof. Hediye KARAKOÇ	B-114	[email protected]	7416	Monday 14:00-16:00

Course Content

The course begins with the fundamentals of natural birth, birth physiology, midwife support, and the mother's experience. Alternative birth methods such as water birth, home birth, and birth centres, as well as non-pharmacological pain management techniques, are explored. Mind-body approaches such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, cultural rituals, family and partner support are covered in the course. In addition, the perception of natural birth in the media, current debates and ethical dilemmas surrounding birth, innovative approaches, and technological applications are examined to contribute to students' professional identity development.

Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to ensure that students understand the philosophy and physiology of natural birth and its importance in terms of maternal and infant health. Students will learn about the role of midwifery support in the natural birth process, non-pharmacological pain management techniques, and alternative birthing methods, thereby gaining the competence to provide holistic, safe, and respectful care to women and their families during the birth process. Additionally, the course aims to encourage students to critically evaluate ethical approaches, cultural differences, and current practices in childbirth.

Contribution of the Course to Field Teaching

Basic Vocational Courses	X
Specialization / Field Courses	X
Support Courses	X
Transferable Skills Courses	X
Humanities, Communication and Management Skills Courses

Relationships between Course Learning Outcomes and Program Outcomes

Relationship Levels
Lowest	Low	Medium	High	Highest
1	2	3	4	5

#	Program Learning Outcomes	Level
P5	Manages labour under own responsibility and provides holistic, culturally sensitive, evidence-based care.	5
P9	She develops herself in accordance with her interests and competencies.	3
P13	Has awareness of the historical development, definition, universal and social effects and legal consequences of the midwifery profession at national and international levels.	5

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
No	Learning Outcomes	Outcome Relationship	Measurement Method **
O1	Knows natural birth and its philosophy.	P.5.7	1
O2	Knows her responsibilities during the natural birth process.	P.5.8	1
O3	Knows alternative birth methods.	P.5.9	1,5
O4	Knows integrative practices in the field of midwifery that can be applied independently or as a member of the team.	P.9.10	6
O5	Knows the process steps of integrative applications in midwifery.	P.9.14	6
O6	Knows the history of midwifery.	P.13.1	1
** Written Exam: 1, Oral Exam: 2, Homework: 3, Lab./Exam: 4, Seminar/Presentation: 5, Term Paper: 6, Application: 7

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week	Topics
1	Course Introduction and the Concept of Natural Birth: What are the course objectives, goals, and awareness of natural birth?
2	Physiology of Childbirth and Fundamentals of Natural Birth: The physiological stages of the birth process, the role of hormones.
3	Midwife Support in Natural Birth, Orgasmic Birth
4	Maternal Experience and Psychosocial Dimension: The impact of childbirth on women's mental health.
5	Alternative Birth Methods – Water Birth: The physiological and psychological effects of water birth.
6	Alternative Birth Methods – Home Birth and Birth Centres: Home birth, birth centres, safety and ethical debates.
7	Non-Pharmacological Pain Management: Massage and Touch
8	Ara sınav
9	Focusing and Distraction Techniques
10	Relaxation Techniques
11	Epidural Anaesthesia and Hypnosis for Childbirth
12	Practices that Restrict the Natural Flow of Birth
13	Childbirth Preparation Classes
14	Birth in Special Circumstances and the Postnatal Period
15	Final Project Presentations and Overall Assessment

Textbook or Material

Resources	Dereli Yılmaz, S., Gökyıldız Driver, Ş. (2020). Spiritual Midwifery. Academician Bookstore, Ankara.
	Aktaş, S., Aksoy Derya, Y., Toker, E. (2023). A'dan Z'ye Temel Ebelik. İstanbul Tıp Kitabevi, İstanbul.

Evaluation Method and Passing Criteria

In-Term Studies	Quantity	Percentage
Attendance	-	-
Laboratory	-	-
Practice	-	-
Field Study	-	-
Course Specific Internship (If Any)	-	-
Homework	1	30 (%)
Presentation	-	-
Projects	-	-
Seminar	-	-
Quiz	-	-
Listening	-	-
Midterms	1	30 (%)
Final Exam	1	40 (%)
Total		100 (%)

ECTS / Working Load Table

	Quantity	Duration	Total Work Load
Course Week Number and Time	14	2	28
Out-of-Class Study Time (Pre-study, Library, Reinforcement)	14	1	14
Midterms	1	8	8
Quiz	0	0	0
Homework	0	0	0
Practice	0	0	0
Laboratory	0	0	0
Project	0	0	0
Workshop	1	8	8
Presentation/Seminar Preparation	0	0	0
Fieldwork	0	0	0
Final Exam	1	8	8
Other	0	0	0
Total Work Load:			66
Total Work Load / 30			2,20
Course ECTS Credits:			2

Course - Learning Outcomes Matrix

Relationship Levels
Lowest	Low	Medium	High	Highest
1	2	3	4	5

#	Learning Outcomes	P5	P9	P13
O1	Knows natural birth and its philosophy.	-	-	-
O2	Knows her responsibilities during the natural birth process.	5	-	-
O3	Knows alternative birth methods.	5	-	-
O4	Knows integrative practices in the field of midwifery that can be applied independently or as a member of the team.	-	3	-
O5	Knows the process steps of integrative applications in midwifery.	-	3	-
O6	Knows the history of midwifery.	-	-	-