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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Deliver safe intra-partum care to mother and baby 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252140  Deliver safe intra-partum care to mother and baby 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nursing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Preventive Health 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 7  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7  24 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This qualification will enable the nurse to function as a clinically focused, service orientated, independent registered professional nurse, who is able to render comprehensive care across all spheres of health, as determined by the appropriate legislative framework. The qualifying learner will apply evidence-based research to enhance nursing practice.

This unit standard will recognise the essential knowledge and skills required to deliver safe intra-labour care to mother and baby.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Apply the theory and principles of the mechanisms and stages of labour.
  • Manage the health of the mother and neonate during the intra-partum period.
  • Manage potential and actual emergencies during labour and delivery.
  • Record and report intra-partum care. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Ante-natal and post-natal care.
  • Pre-conception care and reproductive health.
  • Anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system.
  • Communication skills; awareness of psycho-social family dynamics. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria.

    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:
  • The Nurse functions within the scope of practice of a professional nurse as formulated by the SANC.
  • The context applicable to this unit standard may be a hospital unit, community, mobile clinic or home delivery. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Apply the theory and principles of the mechanisms and stages of labour. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Potential anatomical and/or physiological difficulties and/or complications are identified from the history of the pregnancy and medical records, and preparations are appropriate, and in accordance with established procedures and protocols. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Complications include:
  • Hypertension; diabetes; early labour; compromised immune system (HIV); pre-eclamptic toxaemia (PET).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Maternal and family labour-care needs during the birthing process are clarified, and care provision is ensured to be in place, according to institutional policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The stages and mechanisms of labour are identified and described in accordance with generally accepted medical usage. Stages and mechanisms are illustrated by examples from own practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Nursing care, actions and/or interventions are appropriate to each stage of labour, and are correctly applied, in accordance with established procedures and protocols. Nursing care ensures the safe management of the stages of labour. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Manage the health of the mother and neonate during the intra-partum period. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The whole delivery process through its various stages is accurately described and explained with reference to transitions from one stage to another, symptoms and signs, risks associated with each stage, and appropriate care, according to expected norms, and within expected timeframes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Signs and symptoms include:
  • Contractions/spacing, dilation.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The progress of labour, and any significant change, is monitored by means of standard assessments and examinations, conducted in accordance with established procedures and protocols. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Assessments and examinations include:
  • Frequency of contractions; foetal heart rate; internal examination/s.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Contraction frequencies are monitored and ensured to be consistent with general expectations for the stage of labour. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Signs of foetal distress are identified promptly, and responses are appropriate to the particular situation, and in accordance with established procedures and protocols. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Problems or complications in mother and/or baby are identified accurately and promptly, and interventions are appropriate to the particular situation, and in accordance with established procedures and protocols. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Problems and complications include:
  • Mother (hypertension; infections; continuous contractions, ruptured uterus; placenta praevia) and baby (heart rate, position).

    Interventions include:
  • Forceps, vacuum, caesarean section, assisted delivery.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    A variety of pain relief methods are applied correctly and at appropriate stages and points during labour, on own auspices or under direction, according to regulations and procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pain relief includes:
  • Epidural (under order of a doctor); pharmacological; vapour; nursing methods (back rubbing, positioning, breathing, heat).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The delivery is conducted in a manner that promotes the health and comfort of the mother and safe delivery of the neonate. Required procedures are performed neatly and accurately, in accordance with nursing standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Procedures include:
  • Episiotomy (cut, and suture); injections to mother.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The final stage of delivery is conducted in a manner that promotes the health and comfort of the mother and safe delivery of the neonate. Required actions are performed neatly and accurately, in accordance with nursing standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Actions include:
  • Delivery of placenta; Apgar scoring (respiration, colour, muscle tone, responsiveness, heart rate); suctioning; injections to baby.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    Post delivery care provides for the warmth and comfort of the baby, and promotes bonding with the mother. Reports are accurate, prompt and provide sufficient information to others with respect to care and/or treatment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Post delivery care includes:
  • Cleaning; identification the baby; assessment of baby; referral, incubation, respiration as required; examination of placenta (report on physical structure; report on condition).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    Post delivery assessment of the baby identifies abnormalities where applicable. The assessment is conducted and recorded in accordance with established protocols and procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Manage potential and actual emergencies during labour and delivery. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Potential and actual emergencies are timeously and accurately identified in accordance with protocols. Specialized assistance summoned, where required, is appropriate to the particular emergency. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Interaction with parents and/or significant others promotes calm and seeks to reassure, in accordance with nursing standards and protocols. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Extreme foetal distress, and the need for an emergency caesarean section, is accurately identified and justified in terms of established criteria and protocols. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Signs and symptoms of a prolapsed cord, as well as the danger to the baby, are accurately identified. Responses are appropriate to the circumstances, in accordance with established procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Signs and symptoms of placenta previa, as well as consequences for blood supply, are accurately identified. Responses are appropriate to the circumstances, in accordance with established procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Responses include:
  • Elective caesarean.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Signs and symptoms of a ruptured uterus are accurately identified. Responses are appropriate to the circumstances and the danger to mother and foetus, in accordance with established procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Danger includes:
  • Bleeding, shock, death of foetus.

    Responses include:
  • First aid measures (control bleeding, prevent shock).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Signs and symptoms of obstructive labour are accurately identified. Responses are appropriate to the circumstances and the danger to mother and foetus, in accordance with established procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Dangers include:
  • Shoulder distocia/CPD; injury to baby; distress.

    Responses include:
  • Medical assistance; preparation for surgery.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Signs and symptoms of eclampsia are accurately identified. Responses are appropriate to the circumstances and the danger to either mother or foetus or both, in accordance with established procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Dangers include:
  • Injury to baby; elevated blood pressure - foetal distress; death of either/both.

    Responses include:
  • Prevention; medical assistance.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    Signs and symptoms of post-partum bleeding are accurately identified. Responses are appropriate to the circumstances and the danger to mother, in accordance with established procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Dangers include:
  • Anaemia, shock and death of the mother.

    Responses include:
  • Treatment by injection; intravenous line; resuscitation; theatre.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Record and report intra-partum care. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The record of actions and/or interventions is accurate and complete, and meets legal requirements and statutory responsibilities in terms of the Births and Deaths Register. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Records of the foetal heart rate and other key indicators, are accurately recorded as required by partogram. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Still born babies are handled in accordance with legal requirements, and reports made as required under law. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Records meet institutional requirements for format, and are stored securely. Records are available to authorised personnel on request. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Accreditation Options:
  • Providers of learning towards this unit standard will need to meet the accreditation requirements of the relevant ETQA.

    Moderation Option:
  • The moderation requirements of the relevant ETQA must be met in order to award credit to learners for this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.
  • Understanding and application of the normal delivery process and application and management of potential complications. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.
  • Note: Providing safe intra-labour care implies problem-solving and effective decision making. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Note: Health care provision is team based. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: Implementing safe intra-labour care requires effective organisation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: Central to monitoring and evaluation components. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.
  • Note: Core competence in safe intra-labour care. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: Used in assessment and monitoring. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
  • Note: The relationships of systems of both mother and child is critical. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Notes to Assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following general principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, and then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure that evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent.

    The following particular issues should be taken into consideration when assessing against this unit standard:
  • The SANC guidelines are used as a reference for clinical competence.
  • Formative: A variety of assessment strategies and/or approaches integrating theory and practice must be used. These could be tests, assignments, projects, demonstrations, and/or clinical assessments or any other applicable assessment.
  • Summative: This can take a form of oral, written or practical assessments as agreed to with the relevant ETQA.

    Definition of Terms:
  • Terms have been clarified as far as possible through the use of range statements. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  59257   Bachelor of Nursing  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.