HUS 2542 - Working with Families in the Perinatal Period

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2007 (375)

Course Description

This course is designed to increase student competency in supporting families during the preconception, pregnancy and immediate postpartum periods. Course content will focus on human reproduction, pregnancy, birth, and infant care, with an emphasis on the adjustment of the family and its individual members during the perinatal period. The course will present both factual information and skills for promoting healthy behaviors. Students will apply their knowledge within the theoretical contexts of human and family development gained in previous coursework. Students will practice skills for counseling families about reproductive health in a sensitive, culturally-competent manner.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the impact of sexuality on the physical and emotional health of individual family members by:
    1. identifying male and female reproductive organs and describing their functions.
    2. describing common sexually transmitted infections and their symptoms.
    3. describing various types of sexual relationships (heterosexuality, homosexuality, etc) and family types (extended families, single-parent families).
    4. reflecting on and discussing, where appropriate, their beliefs and attitudes about sex, sexual orientation and family types.
    5. describing the characteristics of healthy sexual relationships.
  2. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics and events of the perinatal period and their impact on mother, child and family by:
    1. describing environmental exposures (e.g., lead, contaminated well water, infectious diseases) to avoid during pregnancy and their impact on mother and baby.
    2. describing maternal behaviors to avoid during pregnancy (e.g., tobacco, alcohol and drug use) and their impact on mother and baby.
    3. describing the stages of pregnancy and fetal development.
    4. explaining the importance of optimal fetal neurological development.
    5. describing the effects of pregnancy on family members.
    6. identifying signs of intimate partner violence during pregnancy.
    7. describing the stages of labor and birth.
    8. describing common psychological and emotional adjustments of the mother after birth.
    9. identifying the symptoms of “baby blues,” postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
    10. describing common psychological and emotional adjustments of the father and siblings after birth.
    11. explaining how the birth of a baby affects family dynamics.
    12. explaining the benefits and drawbacks of infant feeding methods.
    13. demonstrating basic infant care.
    14. describing infant developmental and emotional needs during the first three months.
    15. identifying child safety issues to address with families (e.g., car seat use, safe sleep positions, violence in the home).
    16. explaining the importance of interconceptual planning and interconceptual health.
    17. explaining the benefits and drawbacks of the most common family planning methods.
    18. identifying causes of grief in the perinatal period (e.g., infertility, miscarriage, loss of prior lifestyle, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
    19. describing the stages of grieving.
  3. The student will be able to demonstrate the application of effective techniques for promoting healthy pregnancies and healthy lifestyles for women of childbearing age by:
    1. describing myths and beliefs about pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding in various cultures.
    2. reflecting on personal biases about pregnancy, childbirth and infant care.
    3. role-modeling effective listening skills that families can use in their intimate relationships.
    4. role-modeling effective speaking and negotiation skills that families can use in their intimate relationships.
    5. describing the role of religion/spirituality, culture and generation on reproductive morals and practices.
    6. explaining how to establish boundaries between support and medical advice; developing guidelines for referring clients to health care providers.
    7. describing culturally-competent counseling skills to support healthy pregnancies.
    8. describing skills for discussing reproductive issues in a sensitive and nonjudgmental manner.
    9. explaining how to take a sexual history.
    10. describing how to maintain confidentiality of client information.
  4. The student will demonstrate an understanding of how to assess the needs of childbearing families and facilitate a plan that empowers families to build on their strengths and formulate a plan to meet their needs by:
    1. identifying resources in the community for each of the major topics discussed in class.
    2. describing various models of health education and promotion.
    3. being able to identify the strengths in every childbearing family.
    4. describing the role of medical caregivers and family support workers in the perinatal period.
    5. explaining how to identify and develop informal and formal support networks for new mothers.
    6. developing an anonymous case study demonstrating an assessment of needs, strengths, and goals developed by the family with Family Support Workers (FSW) support and assistance.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the objectives stated above, through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors. 1. Examinations: a. Midterm b. Final c. End-of-module assessments 2. Written assignments: a. Journal entries b. Community resource list c. In-class and take-home exercises 3. Attendance and participation in class activities: a. Practice exercises and role plays b. Group presentations

History of Changes

C&I 6/22/04, BOT 7/27/04, Effective 20041 (0340). 3-Year Review 2010—Acceptable As Is
C&I Approval: 01/23/2007, BOT Approval: 02/20/2007, Effective Term: Spring 2007 (375)

Related Programs

  1. Community Health Worker Certificate (CHW-CT) (595) (Active)
  2. Social and Human Services (HUS-AS) (640) (Active)