Semester 2

The neonatal care module prepares midwifery students to provide comprehensive care to newborn babies during the first 28 days of life, which is the most critical period for survival and adaptation to extrauterine life. The module focuses on promoting newborn health, preventing complications, identifying danger signs early, and managing common neonatal conditions. Midwives play an important role in reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality through skilled and evidence-based care.

The course covers the physiological adaptation of the newborn after birth, including initiation of breathing, temperature regulation, circulation changes, and feeding adaptation. Students learn essential newborn care practices such as immediate drying, skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping, maintaining warmth, cord care, eye care, early initiation of breastfeeding, vitamin K administration, and immunization at birth. These interventions are important in preventing infection, hypothermia, and neonatal death.

The module also emphasizes neonatal assessment through physical examination and the APGAR scoring system to evaluate the newborn’s condition immediately after delivery. Students are trained to recognize normal and abnormal findings and identify neonatal danger signs such as respiratory distress, fever, poor feeding, jaundice, convulsions, lethargy, and cyanosis.

Another major component of the module is neonatal resuscitation. Midwifery students acquire skills in helping babies who fail to breathe at birth by using airway positioning, stimulation, and bag-and-mask ventilation. The course further addresses care of premature and low birth weight babies, including kangaroo mother care, thermoregulation, feeding support, and infection prevention.

Breastfeeding and newborn nutrition are strongly emphasized, with focus on exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life. Students also learn infection prevention and control measures such as hand hygiene, clean cord care, and safe clinical practices to reduce neonatal infections.

In addition, the module highlights the importance of family-centered care and health education. Midwives are trained to educate mothers and families about newborn care, breastfeeding, immunization, hygiene, and recognition of danger signs requiring immediate medical attention.

Overall, the neonatal care module equips midwifery students with the knowledge, practical skills, and professional attitudes necessary to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to newborns and their families, thereby contributing to improved neonatal health outcomes and reduction of newborn mortality.