Physiology Review

The purpose of this section is to become familiar with major midwifery textbooks.

Your goals:

1. Be able to locate information quickly in reference books on your shelf.
2. Fill in any knowledge gaps from your study of Coat’s Anatomy & Physiology for Midwives.
3. Begin learning essential practical skills for midwifery.

Books to Purchase:

• Varney – Midwifery (6th edition)
• Myles – Textbook for Midwifery (17th edition)

Reading and Review:

1. Read Varney – Chapter 10, “Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Reproductive System”
2. Read Varney – Chapter 19, “Anatomy and Physiology of Pregnancy”
3. Read Varney – Chapter 24, “Anatomy and Physiology During Labor and Birth”
4. Read Varney – Chapter 32, “Anatomy and Physiology of Postpartum”
5. Read Varney – Chapter 36, “Anatomy and Physiology of the Newborn”
6. Read Myles – Section 2, “Human Anatomy and Reproduction,” Chapters 3-7
7. Read Frye – pp. 79-199, Basic Anatomy and Physiology for Midwives”

Skills to Practice:

Try to find YouTube videos demonstrating how to do each skill. You should aim to practice each skill daily until your preceptor signs off on it.

• Oxygen Setup (Weaver p. 12)
• Lifting Techniques (Weaver p. 12)
• Basic shock (Weaver p. 22-23)
• AED (Weaver p. 28)
• ABCs (Weaver p. 27)
• Neurologic evaluation (Weaver p. 26)

Optional: Check each of these skills in Johnson & Taylor, Skills for Midwifery Practice.

Client Handouts:

Create client handouts that you can use in childbirth education or in your midwifery practice.

• Basic Female Reproductive Anatomy
• Common Body Changes in Pregnancy
• How Your Baby Receives Oxygen and Nutrition