La donna e la gravidanza

A.Y. 2025/2026
6
Max ECTS
90
Overall hours
SSD
MED/40 MED/47
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The student must know a) anatomical and functional changes during pregnancy; b) the psychology, culture and socio-environmental status of pregnant women.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
The student must:
· to know:
- anatomical and functional changes in pregnancy
- the psychology, the culture and socio-environmental status of pregnant women
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
· give complete and consistent assistance in different clinical cases.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Sezione: Mantova

Prerequisites for admission
Prerequisites for the teaching: HUMAN BODY
Assessment methods and Criteria
Test method
Written tests
Oral tests
Practice Test
Test typology
Closed and open multiple choice test
Interview with the teacher
Simulation
Test evaluation parameters
Ability to discursively organize knowledge; critical reasoning skills on the study carried out; quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialized vocabulary, effectiveness, linearity
Type of test evaluation
In thirtieths (the mark is decided by the Commission made up of the teachers present at the Integrated Course exam)
Method of communication of test results
The grade is reported verbally to the student. Subsequently the vote is recorded on the web in a way that allows the student to accept or reject it
Women and pregnancy
Course syllabus
Fertilization and planting
Anatomy and function of the fetal appendages
Normal placentation
Fetal-placental perfusion and nutrient transport
Determinants of fetal growth; brief outline of fetal development
The fetal circulation;
Amniotic fluid and its pathology;
Umbilical cord and its anomalies;
Maternal adaptation to pregnancy:
Modification of organs and systems during pregnancy;
Monitoring of maternal and fetal well-being during pregnancy;
History and physical examination;
Blood tests in pregnancy [LEA]; including gestational diabetes screening;
Urinary tract infections;
Abnormal hemoglobins; Rh incompatibility;
TORCH group infections;
Prevention of Styreptococcus agalactiae infection
Nausea and vomit;
Monitoring of fetal well-being.
Diet during pregnancy:
Relationship between body mass index, weight gain and pregnancy outcome;
Need for macro and micronutrients;
Pregnancy hygiene:
Physical activity;
Working activity;
Sexuality [two slides];
Makeup and beauty;
Medicines and radiological examinations; vaccines;
Traveling while pregnant;
Voluptuous habits.

The ultrasound in pregnancy
- Indications and purposes US I quarter
- Indications and purposes US II quarter
- Indications and purposes US III quarter
Evaluation criteria of the ultrasound report
- Morphological ultrasound
- Ultrasound markers of chromosomal disorders
Counseling for chromosomal diagnosis in low-risk couples
- Genetic counseling
- Epidemiology of birth defects
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Gene abnormalities
- Multifactorial diseases
- Environmental factors (maternal diseases, drugs)
invasive procedures
- Screening tests
- Diagnostic tests.
Fetal surgery
Teaching methods
Frontal Lessons
Teaching Resources
Costantini W., Calistri D., Ferrazzi E., Mauri P.A., Parazzini F. - TRATTANDO DI SCIENZA ED ARTE DELLA PROFESSIONALITÀ OSTETRICA - PICCIN 2021
Parazzini F., Mauri P.A. (2020) IL MANUALE DEI CONCORSI PER OSTETRICA. EDISES
Scienze infermieristiche ostetrico-ginecologiche
Course syllabus
REGULATIONS, MIDWIFERY CARE MODELS
- Midwifery Profession: intellectual profession
- European and Italian regulations: midwife's skills, responsibilities and autonomy for pregnancy care, pregnancy test prescription, midwife's recipe book
- Italian guidelines and WHO recommendations on the quality of prenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience
- Pregnancy care models: medical-led model, shared-led model, midwife-led continuity model of care
- WHO definition of obstetric risk, risk-based care, dynamic concept of risk and reassessment of obstetric risk
- The BRO model of Low Obstetric Risk Care, personalized, centered on the specific needs of the pregnant woman and on continuity of care: decrees, laws and tools

MIDWIFE'S APPROACH TO PHYSIOLOGICAL PREGNANCY
- The midwife and communication
- The transfer of power from the midwife to the woman: empowerment, valorization of knowledge and activation of the skills of the woman and the parental couple
- Midwife-woman relationship and therapeutic alliance, sharing of responsibilities
- The midwife as a facilitator of the pregnancy process through the promotion of the psycho-physical health of the woman
- Protection of physiology: concept of physiology and health understood as dynamic adaptive balance to the external and internal environment
- The three trimesters of pregnancy or endogestation: characteristics and correspondences with the three periods of childbirth and with the three trimesters of exogestation (communication, interaction, mother/infant bond)
- The father: emotions, role, prenatal bond with the unborn child
- Analysis of fetal development: the development of sensory organs (touch, smell, taste, hearing, sight), fetal skills and the importance of prenatal bonding, the first extrauterine experience.

PREGNANCY HYGIENE, SIGNS OF PREGNANCY and birth support meetings (IAN)
- Pregnancy hygiene: diet and nutrition, main food poisonings, alcohol and effects on the fetus, binge drinking
- Lifestyles: the states of change, Prochaska-Di Clemente cycle, smoke-free mothers program
- Signs of pregnancy, certain and uncertain signs, signs of probability and presumption
- Changes in the maternal microbiota during pregnancy: breasts, intestine and uterus
- Breast anatomy and breast changes during pregnancy, accessory breast tissue, supernumerary nipples
- Stages of lactation: when breastfeeding begins, how the midwife can promote breastfeeding during pregnancy, filling out the UNICEF prenatal checklist
- Birth support meetings: breathing, relaxation and visualizations, UNICEF mother-friendly care, IAN and paternity
- How to deal with "disorders" of the pregnancy: the midwife's approach to minor pregnancy disorders: recommended exercises for the well-being of the perineum, circulation, spine, pelvis, lower limbs
- Perineal and pelvic floor care during pregnancy, prevention and reduction of the risk of perineal damage, perineal massage and pelvic floor exercises, postpartum gymnastics
- optimal positioning of the fetus (POF): how to promote anterior positions in the third trimester of pregnancy, nutation and counter-nutation: bodywork and exercises to promote the mobility of the maternal pelvis

OBSTETRIC OBJECTIVE EXAMINATION
Introduction to the Obstetric Objective Examination:
- first stage: anamnesis, lifestyles, nutrition, support network, measurement of maternal body weight, calculation of BMI, recommended weight gain during pregnancy
- second stage, inspection: spine, assessment of mobility, degree of inclination and morphology of the pelvis, breasts, external pelvimetry, assessment of the upper strait by measuring the external diameters of the pelvis
- third stage, palpation: measurement symphysis-fundus and fetal growth curves, Leopold maneuvers, obstetric diagnosis of: fetal development and uterine growth, situation, presentation, position, level of the presenting part and fetal-pelvic ratio, fetal weight estimation: Johnson's rule
- fourth time, auscultation: Pinard stethoscope and ultrasound, abdominal quadrants and focus of maximum intensity in different fetal positions
- fifth time, vaginal exploration: ask permission, internal pelvimetry, evaluation of the pelvic cavity, middle strait and lower strait
- sixth time, execution of first level diagnostic tests: the eco office

BIRTH PATH AGENDA, MATERNAL-FETAL WELL-BEING ASSESSMENT
- Pre-conceptional health assessment: medical history, anemia and hemoglobinopathies screening, nutritional and lifestyle counseling, recommended tests, recommendations on pre-pregnancy folic acid intake
- First prenatal obstetric health assessment: welcoming the pregnant woman, information on care conduct, performing the obstetric examination and diagnosis of maternal-fetal well-being
- Criteria for assigning the obstetric care model: physiological birth path with obstetric management, birth path with medical-specialist management in collaboration with the midwife
- PAI or individual care plan: pregnancy care plan (physiological)
- Methods and times of performing the objective obstetric examination in the various stages of pregnancy: clinical assessment and emotional-relational assessment of the pregnant woman
- Signs of health of the mother and fetus: interpretation of physical maternal changes general and local, vital parameters, weight gain, fetal growth estimate, symphysis-fundus measurement, BCF, MAF, laboratory tests and instrumental investigations in the different trimesters of pregnancy, obstetric diagnosis
- Full-term pregnancy clinic: maternal-fetal well-being check-up at the end of pregnancy, birth plan, birth locations
- Annotation on the obstetric record of the birth path agenda of all information and findings relating to the course of the pregnancy.
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of the services provided and the satisfaction of the woman/couple with the care provided by the midwife
- Technical and communicative aspects of conducting a meeting/interview

Elements of perinatal obstetric care
The primary maternal concern
Difference, meaning and results of screening tests and diagnostic tests
National and international guidelines
The awareness of the midwife on her/his own methods of:
- Communication
- Anamnesis
- Interview on the chosen test
- Informed consent
The relationship between the healthcare professional/woman and/or couple
- Is a non-directive interview possible?
- Accompaniment to the decision-making process
Exercises and group work

Care process of the midwife during the diagnostic procedure:
- Role of the midwife in the Prenatal Diagnosis (DP) team
Introduction to care in the operating room of prenatal diagnosis (preparing the sterile table and instruments)
- Chorionic villus sampling
- Amniocentesis
Communicating the result
- The normal diagnosis
- The doubtful diagnosis and the need for further investigations
- Post-amniocentesis or post-CVS abortion
- Collection of follow-up and archiving

Combined Test, scientific foundations, role of the midwife from the interview to the delivery of the result

NIPT (cfDNA), national guidelines and Welfare decree of the Lombardy Region n. 10383; role of the midwife from the interview to the delivery of the results

Why the midwife must know what Prenatal Diagnosis is:
- Code of ethics (FNCO June 2010)
- Professional profile (DM 740/1994)
- LEA 18/3/17, annex 10 C concerns prenatal diagnosis
- What is done in DP: invasive, diagnostic and therapeutic prenatal diagnosis
- Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis: where it starts, aims, limits
- Interview: techniques to collect all the information needed and the mistakes to avoid
- What is fetal therapy: risks and benefits, planning of an intervention (even just PSF or IUFT) and the skills of the midwife

Information and preparation meeting for prenatal diagnosis: the example of the Mangiagalli Clinic where a group meeting with couples is held, and of other hospitals where individual or group meetings are held couple with the interested parties
Teaching methods
Lectures and exercises on mannequins
Teaching Resources
Danti, di Tommaso, Maffetti, Garfana CARDIOTOCOGRAFIA GUIDA PRATICA - PICCIN
Malvasi, Di Renzo SEMEIOTICA OSTETRICA - CIC
Parazzini F., Mauri P.A. (2020) IL MANUALE DEI CONCORSI PER OSTETRICA. EDISES
Pescetto, De Cecco, Pecorari MANUALE DI GINECOLOGIA E OSTETRICIA SEU, ROMA, 2002
Piontelli A. DAL PUNTO DI VISTA DEL FETO. BREVI APPUNTI SU UNO STUDIO OSSERVATIVO DELLA GRAVIDANZA E DEL PERIODO POSTNATALE. (IN AMMANITI "LA GRAVIDANZA TRA FANTASIA E REALTÀ" - IL PENSIERO SCIENTIFICO EDITORE
Ammaniti M., C. Candelori MATERNITÀ E GRAVIDANZA RAFFAELLO- CORTINA EDITORE
Ammaniti M. LA GRAVIDANZA TRA FANTASIA E REALTÀ D.W - IL PENSIERO SCIENTIFICO EDITORE
Stern D.N. NASCITA DI UNA MADRE OSCAR SAGGI MONDADORI
Imbasciati A. NASCITA E COSTRUZIONE DELLA MENTE - UTET UNIVERSITÀ
Cummings M.R. EREDITÀ. PRINCIPI E PROBLEMATICHE DELLA GENETICA UMANA EDISES
Modules or teaching units
Scienze infermieristiche ostetrico-ginecologiche
MED/47 - MIDWIFERY - University credits: 4
Lessons: 60 hours

Women and pregnancy
MED/40 - OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 30 hours

Sezione: Milano

Responsible
Prerequisites for admission
Prerequisites for the teaching: HUMAN BODY
Assessment methods and Criteria
Test method
Written tests
Oral tests
Practice Test
Test typology
Closed and open multiple choice test
Interview with the teacher
Simulation
Test evaluation parameters
Ability to discursively organize knowledge; critical reasoning skills on the study carried out; quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialized vocabulary, effectiveness, linearity
Type of test evaluation
In thirtieths (the mark is decided by the Commission made up of the teachers present at the Integrated Course exam)
Method of communication of test results
The grade is reported verbally to the student. Subsequently the vote is recorded on the web in a way that allows the student to accept or reject it
Women and pregnancy
Course syllabus
Fertilization and planting
Anatomy and function of the fetal appendages
Normal placentation
Fetal-placental perfusion and nutrient transport
Determinants of fetal growth; brief outline of fetal development
The fetal circulation;
Amniotic fluid and its pathology;
Umbilical cord and its anomalies;
Maternal adaptation to pregnancy:
Modification of organs and systems during pregnancy;
Monitoring of maternal and fetal well-being during pregnancy;
History and physical examination;
Blood tests in pregnancy [LEA]; including gestational diabetes screening;
Urinary tract infections;
Abnormal hemoglobins; Rh incompatibility;
TORCH group infections;
Prevention of Styreptococcus agalactiae infection
Nausea and vomit;
Monitoring of fetal well-being.
Diet during pregnancy:
Relationship between body mass index, weight gain and pregnancy outcome;
Need for macro and micronutrients;
Pregnancy hygiene:
Physical activity;
Working activity;
Sexuality [two slides];
Makeup and beauty;
Medicines and radiological examinations; vaccines;
Traveling while pregnant;
Voluptuous habits.

The ultrasound in pregnancy
- Indications and purposes US I quarter
- Indications and purposes US II quarter
- Indications and purposes US III quarter
Evaluation criteria of the ultrasound report
- Morphological ultrasound
- Ultrasound markers of chromosomal disorders
Counseling for chromosomal diagnosis in low-risk couples
- Genetic counseling
- Epidemiology of birth defects
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Gene abnormalities
- Multifactorial diseases
- Environmental factors (maternal diseases, drugs)
invasive procedures
- Screening tests
- Diagnostic tests.
Fetal surgery
Teaching methods
Frontal Lessons
Teaching Resources
Costantini W., Calistri D., Ferrazzi E., Mauri P.A., Parazzini F. - TRATTANDO DI SCIENZA ED ARTE DELLA PROFESSIONALITÀ OSTETRICA - PICCIN 2021
Scienze infermieristiche ostetrico-ginecologiche
Course syllabus
REGULATIONS, MIDWIFERY CARE MODELS
- Midwifery Profession: intellectual profession
- European and Italian regulations: midwife's skills, responsibilities and autonomy for pregnancy care, pregnancy test prescription, midwife's recipe book
- Italian guidelines and WHO recommendations on the quality of prenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience
- Pregnancy care models: medical-led model, shared-led model, midwife-led continuity model of care
- WHO definition of obstetric risk, risk-based care, dynamic concept of risk and reassessment of obstetric risk
- The BRO model of Low Obstetric Risk Care, personalized, centered on the specific needs of the pregnant woman and on continuity of care: decrees, laws and tools

MIDWIFE'S APPROACH TO PHYSIOLOGICAL PREGNANCY
- The midwife and communication
- The transfer of power from the midwife to the woman: empowerment, valorization of knowledge and activation of the skills of the woman and the parental couple
- Midwife-woman relationship and therapeutic alliance, sharing of responsibilities
- The midwife as a facilitator of the pregnancy process through the promotion of the psycho-physical health of the woman
- Protection of physiology: concept of physiology and health understood as dynamic adaptive balance to the external and internal environment
- The three trimesters of pregnancy or endogestation: characteristics and correspondences with the three periods of childbirth and with the three trimesters of exogestation (communication, interaction, mother/infant bond)
- The father: emotions, role, prenatal bond with the unborn child
- Analysis of fetal development: the development of sensory organs (touch, smell, taste, hearing, sight), fetal skills and the importance of prenatal bonding, the first extrauterine experience.

PREGNANCY HYGIENE, SIGNS OF PREGNANCY and birth support meetings (IAN)
- Pregnancy hygiene: diet and nutrition, main food poisonings, alcohol and effects on the fetus, binge drinking
- Lifestyles: the states of change, Prochaska-Di Clemente cycle, smoke-free mothers program
- Signs of pregnancy, certain and uncertain signs, signs of probability and presumption
- Changes in the maternal microbiota during pregnancy: breasts, intestine and uterus
- Breast anatomy and breast changes during pregnancy, accessory breast tissue, supernumerary nipples
- Stages of lactation: when breastfeeding begins, how the midwife can promote breastfeeding during pregnancy, filling out the UNICEF prenatal checklist
- Birth support meetings: breathing, relaxation and visualizations, UNICEF mother-friendly care, IAN and paternity
- How to deal with "disorders" of the pregnancy: the midwife's approach to minor pregnancy disorders: recommended exercises for the well-being of the perineum, circulation, spine, pelvis, lower limbs
- Perineal and pelvic floor care during pregnancy, prevention and reduction of the risk of perineal damage, perineal massage and pelvic floor exercises, postpartum gymnastics
- optimal positioning of the fetus (POF): how to promote anterior positions in the third trimester of pregnancy, nutation and counter-nutation: bodywork and exercises to promote the mobility of the maternal pelvis

OBSTETRIC OBJECTIVE EXAMINATION
Introduction to the Obstetric Objective Examination:
- first stage: anamnesis, lifestyles, nutrition, support network, measurement of maternal body weight, calculation of BMI, recommended weight gain during pregnancy
- second stage, inspection: spine, assessment of mobility, degree of inclination and morphology of the pelvis, breasts, external pelvimetry, assessment of the upper strait by measuring the external diameters of the pelvis
- third stage, palpation: measurement symphysis-fundus and fetal growth curves, Leopold maneuvers, obstetric diagnosis of: fetal development and uterine growth, situation, presentation, position, level of the presenting part and fetal-pelvic ratio, fetal weight estimation: Johnson's rule
- fourth time, auscultation: Pinard stethoscope and ultrasound, abdominal quadrants and focus of maximum intensity in different fetal positions
- fifth time, vaginal exploration: ask permission, internal pelvimetry, evaluation of the pelvic cavity, middle strait and lower strait
- sixth time, execution of first level diagnostic tests: the eco office

BIRTH PATH AGENDA, MATERNAL-FETAL WELL-BEING ASSESSMENT
- Pre-conceptional health assessment: medical history, anemia and hemoglobinopathies screening, nutritional and lifestyle counseling, recommended tests, recommendations on pre-pregnancy folic acid intake
- First prenatal obstetric health assessment: welcoming the pregnant woman, information on care conduct, performing the obstetric examination and diagnosis of maternal-fetal well-being
- Criteria for assigning the obstetric care model: physiological birth path with obstetric management, birth path with medical-specialist management in collaboration with the midwife
- PAI or individual care plan: pregnancy care plan (physiological)
- Methods and times of performing the objective obstetric examination in the various stages of pregnancy: clinical assessment and emotional-relational assessment of the pregnant woman
- Signs of health of the mother and fetus: interpretation of physical maternal changes general and local, vital parameters, weight gain, fetal growth estimate, symphysis-fundus measurement, BCF, MAF, laboratory tests and instrumental investigations in the different trimesters of pregnancy, obstetric diagnosis
- Full-term pregnancy clinic: maternal-fetal well-being check-up at the end of pregnancy, birth plan, birth locations
- Annotation on the obstetric record of the birth path agenda of all information and findings relating to the course of the pregnancy.
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of the services provided and the satisfaction of the woman/couple with the care provided by the midwife
- Technical and communicative aspects of conducting a meeting/interview

Elements of perinatal obstetric care
The primary maternal concern
Difference, meaning and results of screening tests and diagnostic tests
National and international guidelines
The awareness of the midwife on her/his own methods of:
- Communication
- Anamnesis
- Interview on the chosen test
- Informed consent
The relationship between the healthcare professional/woman and/or couple
- Is a non-directive interview possible?
- Accompaniment to the decision-making process
Exercises and group work

Care process of the midwife during the diagnostic procedure:
- Role of the midwife in the Prenatal Diagnosis (DP) team
Introduction to care in the operating room of prenatal diagnosis (preparing the sterile table and instruments)
- Chorionic villus sampling
- Amniocentesis
Communicating the result
- The normal diagnosis
- The doubtful diagnosis and the need for further investigations
- Post-amniocentesis or post-CVS abortion
- Collection of follow-up and archiving

Combined Test, scientific foundations, role of the midwife from the interview to the delivery of the result

NIPT (cfDNA), national guidelines and Welfare decree of the Lombardy Region n. 10383; role of the midwife from the interview to the delivery of the results

Why the midwife must know what Prenatal Diagnosis is:
- Code of ethics (FNCO June 2010)
- Professional profile (DM 740/1994)
- LEA 18/3/17, annex 10 C concerns prenatal diagnosis
- What is done in DP: invasive, diagnostic and therapeutic prenatal diagnosis
- Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis: where it starts, aims, limits
- Interview: techniques to collect all the information needed and the mistakes to avoid
- What is fetal therapy: risks and benefits, planning of an intervention (even just PSF or IUFT) and the skills of the midwife

Information and preparation meeting for prenatal diagnosis: the example of the Mangiagalli Clinic where a group meeting with couples is held, and of other hospitals where individual or group meetings are held couple with the interested parties
Teaching methods
Lectures and exercises on mannequins
Teaching Resources
Danti, di Tommaso, Maffetti, Garfana CARDIOTOCOGRAFIA GUIDA PRATICA - PICCIN
Malvasi, Di Renzo SEMEIOTICA OSTETRICA - CIC
Parazzini F., Mauri P.A. (2020) IL MANUALE DEI CONCORSI PER OSTETRICA. EDISES
Pescetto, De Cecco, Pecorari MANUALE DI GINECOLOGIA E OSTETRICIA SEU, ROMA, 2002
Piontelli A. DAL PUNTO DI VISTA DEL FETO. BREVI APPUNTI SU UNO STUDIO OSSERVATIVO DELLA GRAVIDANZA E DEL PERIODO POSTNATALE. (IN AMMANITI "LA GRAVIDANZA TRA FANTASIA E REALTÀ" - IL PENSIERO SCIENTIFICO EDITORE
Ammaniti M., C. Candelori MATERNITÀ E GRAVIDANZA RAFFAELLO- CORTINA EDITORE
Ammaniti M. LA GRAVIDANZA TRA FANTASIA E REALTÀ D.W - IL PENSIERO SCIENTIFICO EDITORE
Stern D.N. NASCITA DI UNA MADRE OSCAR SAGGI MONDADORI
Imbasciati A. NASCITA E COSTRUZIONE DELLA MENTE - UTET UNIVERSITÀ
Cummings M.R. EREDITÀ. PRINCIPI E PROBLEMATICHE DELLA GENETICA UMANA EDISES
Modules or teaching units
Scienze infermieristiche ostetrico-ginecologiche
MED/47 - MIDWIFERY - University credits: 4
Lessons: 60 hours

Women and pregnancy
MED/40 - OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 30 hours
Professor: Persico Nicola