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.

Introduction to Maternal Mortality and Morbidity in the U.S. Context

In this module you’ll visit the United States where, believe it or not, maternal mortality rate is actually on the rise! In fact, maternal mortality has doubled in the U.S. during the last two decades. Why is that? And what can be done to reverse this trend? Along the way you’ll meet a physician and her patient who will help us answer some of these questions.

The Impact of the Health Care Workforce Shortage

In this module we’ll be discussing the critical importance of having an adequate and well-trained health workforce for reducing maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. We’ll be discussing the problems of shortage and maldistribution, as well as some important strategies for addressing these problems such as task shifting and task sharing.

Emergency Obstetric Care & Health Facility Services

In this module, we will learn about a globally recognized package of such interventions called emergency obstetric care, or EmOC. We will spend some time learning about how emergency obstetric care is assessed and monitored at the national and sub-national levels, including quality improvement measures. Lastly, we will consider some key challenges and potential solutions in developing country contexts.

Improving Maternal Care through Community-Based Interventions

This module will take a new turn - how ordinary citizens can be mobilized to effectively take action to improve health for mothers and babies. You will learn about participatory learning and action. You will learn what research studies have to say about the effectiveness of this kind of approach. Also, you will get a chance to see specific examples of the outcomes of community mobilization in two settings, one in Atlanta, Georgia in the U.S., and one in the Caribbean country on the island of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic.

Case Study in Ethiopia: Educating the Community and Training Front-Line Community Health Workers

Welcome to the last module! In this module, you will receive an overview of the Maternal and Newborn Health in Ethiopia Partnership (referred to as MaNHEP). Also, you will learn about the Ethiopian context regarding maternal health; the overall goal of the MaNHEP project and its key partners and supports; where the project was situated within Ethiopia; the assumptions that serve as the basis for the project’s intervention; the project evaluation; and a summary of results. Finally, we will take a step back to examine the strengths of the project and its potential for scale-up and possible application elsewhere.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

Informative global childbirth

Learners say this course on global childbirth is informative and engaging. The readings and lectures are especially well received. Students also mention that the assignments are engaging and help them to learn. Overall, this course is well received by learners.

The assignments help students learn.

"Very good info; loved the project"

This course provides great information on childbirth.

"informative."

"Very Informative"

"it was very informative"

There is a delay in grading assignments.

"I have completed the course 2 weeks back it has still not been graded."

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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