Practical Birth Simulation for Midwifery Students

Overview

Midwifery education consists of two parts: theoretical education and clinical training. Supporting clinical training is as important as theoretical training for the development of students' competencies. This simulation training, using the pelvis-fetal head model, will allow students to better understand the difficulties and complications they may encounter during childbirth and to develop the skills to intervene in these situations. This research is a pre-test post-test measurement, observational, randomized controlled study. The population of the research will consist of 3rd and 4th year students studying in the Midwifery department of Karabuk University Faculty of Health Sciences. The research sample will consist of 64 students studying in the 3rd and 4th year of midwifery. Work data will be collected using the Personal Information Form (PIF), Learner's Guide (LG), and Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence Scale in Learning (SSSCL). Students in the control and experimental groups will be provided with routine theoretical knowledge. During the 2nd stage of labor, cardinal movements performed by the fetal head inside the pelvis will be explained. Subsequently, students will be asked to fill out the PIF and SSSCL for pre-testing. Two weeks later, students will be taken to the laboratory environment to perform the application steps for the theoretical lesson they received and a final test will be administered. While students carry out the examination steps, full-incomplete actions in the Learner's Guide will be marked by a researcher. In short, students in the control group will receive normal theoretical knowledge, and two weeks later, the examination steps and patient evaluation stages will be confirmed. The Study Group; After providing theoretical knowledge to the students, cardinal movements performed by the fetal head in the pelvis during the 2nd stage of labor will be explained practically in a laboratory environment. Students will be taken in groups of 5 and after the explanation of the application, each student will be asked to perform all stages individually. Approximately 15 minutes will be allocated for each student. Two weeks later, the same students will be taken to the laboratory and asked to perform all procedural steps. While students perform the procedural steps, any complete or incomplete applications will be marked by the researcher and then the incomplete applications will be explained to the student for them to complete. LG and SSSCL will be filled out for the final test. SPSS 27 package program will be used for data analysis, and a statistical significance level of 0.05 will be accepted for all analyses

The second stage of labor involves cardinal movements of the fetal head within the pelvis. These movements ensure the head's alignment with the pelvis, facilitating rotation and easing delivery. It is important for midwifery students to learn these movements, as intervention may be necessary in case of any complications. Cardinal movements consist of seven key movements, and through these movements, the fetus navigates through the pelvis. Before interacting with pregnant women in clinical settings, it is crucial for midwifery students to master these cardinal and pelvic movements on a model. This ensures that, when in clinics and interacting with pregnant women, students can respond competently, confidently, and effectively. A study conducted by Tarrahi et al. (2022) found that simulation training can impact the performance of students, midwives, and gynecology residents. The increasing use of such training is also believed to improve safety for the pregnant woman, the postpartum mother, and the newborn, enhancing reliability. This study is designed to reinforce the theoretical knowledge acquired by midwifery students, develop their practical skills, and foster competence through repeated opportunities for trial and error.