Childbirth: A Global Perspective from Coursera

This course will review challenges for maternal and newborn health in the developing world, where a great many women and babies are suffering from complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and the days following birth. Themes covered include the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival, and sociocultural dynamics surrounding birth.

This course provides a broad overview of maternal and newborn health issues facing low-income and transitional countries, where more than 2.6 million babies are stillborn and nearly 500,000 women die during childbirth or from pregnancy-related complications each year. In the developing world, many women deliver at home without a skilled care provider, drugs, or technological supports. Maternal and newborn survival can be improved by mobilizing communities and improving access to skilled care.

Through lectures, case studies and readings, course participants will learn about delivery challenges for maternal and newborn health services and how to utilize community-based strategies to improve the health and survival of mothers and babies.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Maternal Mortality and Morbidity in the Global Context

Welcome to Module 1! This course will discuss the global health implications of pregnancy and childbirth in the developing world, where far too many women and babies die from complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and soon after childbirth. Themes covered in this module include an introduction to maternal care, an in-depth look at the numbers, and a look at maternal mortality and morbidity in a global context.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides context for global maternal health, an important and timely topic

Highlights the challenges and opportunities in improving maternal and newborn health in developing countries

Examines the importance of community-based interventions in improving maternal and newborn health outcomes

Case study approach allows for practical application of concepts and strategies

Taught by an experienced instructor with a strong background in maternal and newborn health

Could benefit from a more hands-on approach, such as simulations or interactive exercises

Reviews summary

Essential global health perspective on maternal care

According to students, this course offers a profound and eye-opening global perspective on childbirth, particularly highlighting challenges in developing countries. Learners widely praise its highly relevant content, the well-structured lectures, and the effectiveness of case studies, especially the one on Ethiopia, for bringing concepts to life. The emphasis on community-based interventions is consistently noted as a key strength. While some older feedback mentioned production quality concerns or a desire for more practical application, more recent reviews indicate an improvement in the overall learning experience, affirming its status as an excellent foundational course for anyone interested in maternal and newborn health.

Recent reviews suggest improvements in content quality and presentation over time.

"Some older reviews mentioned video quality issues, which seem to have improved over time."

"Found some of the content outdated, particularly the statistics. The instructor's delivery was a bit monotonous..."

"The lectures were clear and the readings supplemented the material perfectly."

Offers a comprehensive and well-structured introduction to maternal health.

"Excellent and well-structured course. The data and statistics presented were crucial."

"Good course for an overview... overall, it's a solid introduction to the topic."

"This course provided an excellent understanding of global maternal and newborn health."

Emphasizes the vital role of community mobilization for improving health outcomes.

"I learned so much about the importance of community involvement."

"The emphasis on community solutions is inspiring."

"The community-based intervention strategies were well presented."

Real-world examples and case studies bring complex topics to life.

"The case studies made the complex information very accessible."

"The case studies, especially the Ethiopia one, were brilliant and brought the concepts to life."

"I feel much more informed and equipped to discuss these issues after seeing the case studies."

Provides a crucial understanding of global maternal and newborn health challenges.

"This course was incredibly eye-opening, providing a profound global perspective on childbirth."

"Truly exceptional content that broadens one's understanding of global health challenges in maternal care."

"Highly relevant and well-taught. The global perspective is crucial, and the course delivered exactly that."

Strong theoretical foundation, though some desired more practical application.

"I found the lack of practical tools or skills for immediate application a bit disappointing."

"I was looking for more practical guidance for field work. The readings felt a bit academic."

"While the global perspective is important, I sometimes wished for more actionable steps."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Childbirth: A Global Perspective with these activities:

Watch the documentary, 'The Business of Being Born'

Show steps

Become informed about the ways the United States approaches childbirth and birth outcomes.

Show steps

Locate the documentary on a streaming service or library system.
Set aside 90 minutes to watch the documentary in a quiet environment.
Take notes on the key points and statistics presented in the film.

Show all one activities

Career center

Learners who complete Childbirth: A Global Perspective will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Midwife

Midwives provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing maternal and newborn health in the developing world, including the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, and community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. This knowledge is essential for Midwives to effectively provide care to women and their newborns.

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Obstetrician-Gynecologist

Obstetrician-Gynecologists provide medical care to women during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. This course provides a strong foundation in the challenges facing maternal and newborn health in the developing world, including the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, and community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. This knowledge is essential for Obstetrician-Gynecologists to effectively provide care to women and their newborns.

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Maternal and Child Health Researcher

Maternal and Child Health Researchers conduct research on a range of topics related to maternal and child health, including the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, and community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. This course provides a solid foundation in these areas, making it a valuable resource for Maternal and Child Health Researchers.

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Nurse-Midwife

Nurse-Midwives provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing maternal and newborn health in the developing world, including the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, and community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. By understanding these challenges, Nurse-Midwives can be more effective in providing care to women and their newborns.

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Maternal and Child Health Educator

Maternal and Child Health Educators provide education and support to pregnant women, new mothers, and families. This course provides a wealth of knowledge on the challenges facing maternal and newborn health in the developing world, including the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, and community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. This knowledge is essential for Maternal and Child Health Educators to effectively educate and support their clients.

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Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts work to improve the health of communities by developing and evaluating health policies. This course provides a strong foundation in the challenges facing maternal and newborn health in the developing world, which is a critical area of focus for health policy analysts. By understanding the factors that contribute to maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, Health Policy Analysts can develop more effective policies to improve health outcomes.

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Global Health Advocate

Global Health Advocates work to improve the health of people around the world by advocating for policies and programs that promote health equity. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing maternal and newborn health in the developing world, including the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, and community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. By understanding these challenges, Global Health Advocates can be more effective in advocating for policies and programs that improve health outcomes.

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Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses work to improve the health of communities by providing a range of services, including health education, disease prevention, and case management. This course provides a strong foundation in the challenges facing maternal and newborn health in the developing world, including the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, and community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. This knowledge is essential for Public Health Nurses to effectively provide services to improve health outcomes.

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Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers provide health education and services to communities, often in underserved areas. This course provides a wealth of knowledge on the challenges facing maternal and newborn health in the developing world, including the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, and community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. By understanding these challenges, Community Health Workers can be more effective in providing health education and services to communities.

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International Development Specialist

International Development Specialists work to improve the lives of people in developing countries by designing and implementing programs that address a range of issues, including health, education, and economic development. This course provides a solid understanding of the challenges facing maternal and newborn health in the developing world, including the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, and community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. This knowledge is essential for International Development Specialists to effectively design and implement programs that improve health outcomes.

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Family Planning Counselor

Family Planning Counselors provide information and support to individuals and couples about family planning options. This course provides a wealth of knowledge on the challenges facing maternal and newborn health in the developing world, including the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, and community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. By understanding these challenges, Family Planning Counselors can be more effective in providing information and support to their clients.

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Social Worker

Social Workers provide support and services to individuals and families facing a range of challenges, including health issues. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing maternal and newborn health in the developing world, including the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, and community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. This knowledge is essential for Social Workers to effectively provide support and services to families facing these challenges.

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Program Manager

Program Managers plan, implement, and evaluate programs that address a range of issues, including health. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing maternal and newborn health in the developing world, including the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, and community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. By understanding these challenges, Program Managers can be more effective in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs to improve health outcomes.

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Health Communications Specialist

Health Communications Specialists develop and implement communication strategies to promote health. This course provides a strong foundation in the challenges facing maternal and newborn health in the developing world, including the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, and community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. By understanding these challenges, Health Communications Specialists can be more effective in developing and implementing communication strategies to promote maternal and newborn health.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions. This course provides a solid foundation in the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, and community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. By understanding these issues, Data Analysts can be more effective in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help organizations make informed decisions about maternal and newborn health.

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