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

Provide postpartum care to the mother and neonate 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252085  Provide postpartum care to the mother and neonate 
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 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  12 
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 unit standard will be useful for people working as clinically focused, service orientated, independent, registered staff nurses, who are able to render basic care to women during pueperium, as determined by the appropriate legislative framework.

This unit standard will recognise the essential knowledge and skills required to provide care to the post-partum mother and neonate.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Facilitate effective feeding of the neonate by the mother.
  • Provide evidence-based nursing care to the mother and neonate during the post-partum period.
  • Facilitate informed decision making regarding future pregnancies and reproductive health.
  • Evaluate the quality of post 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:
  • Pre-conception care and reproductive health.
  • Anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system.
  • Health education.
  • Fundamental maternal and neonatal care.
  • Understanding and identification of potential obstetric emergencies. 
    		•

    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 staff nurse as formulated by the SANC and the Nursing Act. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Facilitate effective feeding of the neonate by the mother. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Guidance and support provided to mothers regarding feeding of the neonate is appropriate to the particular circumstances and in line with generally accepted care principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different feeding options, and their advantages and disadvantages, are explained to the mother at an appropriate language and conceptual level. The explanation is consistent with best nursing practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Options include:
  • Breast feeding; exclusive breast feeding; bottle/breast feeding; bottle feeding.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The mother's choice with respect to feeding is based on a clear understanding of the options presented. Understanding is confirmed in terms of the information presented. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Potential and actual feeding problems are identified and discussed with the mother. Advice, information and/or training provided is relevant to the particular problems, and supports best practice. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Provide evidence-based nursing care to the mother and neonate during the post-partum period. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Post-natal exercises and perineal care are strongly advocated to enhance the comfort of the mother. The advantages presented are supported with examples and evidence drawn from own practice, and well as generally accepted nursing practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Examination of the neonate is comprehensive, in accordance with established procedures and protocols. The examination of the neonate detects abnormalities in accordance with established procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Support and information provided to the mother during the post-partum period actively supports bonding of the mother in handling the neonate. Examples of appropriate touching and attachment behaviours are provided and demonstrated correctly to the mother. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Normal neonatal development and care is facilitated through demonstration and input consistent with generally accepted nursing practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Normal neonatal care includes:
  • Burping; sleep-wake requirements; bathing; cord care; elimination patterns; care and feeding patterns.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Nursing and/or psychological self-care support are applied to reduce possible anxieties in the mother, in accordance with generally accepted nursing practice. Support includes the involvement of significant others. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Support and assistance provided to mother and family in the event of an abnormal neonate, or stillbirth/abortion, or abnormal maternal factors, is appropriate to the circumstances, and in line with procedures and protocols. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Support includes:
  • Treatment and/or referral to appropriate health professionals.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Scheduled checkups or examinations detect complications, where these present, and referral is prompt and to appropriate health professionals. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Complications include:
  • Bleeding; signs of depression; sepsis in the mother; feeding problems of the baby; infections in the baby; illnesses of the baby; breast infections.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Facilitate informed decision making regarding future pregnancies and reproductive health. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Comprehensive family planning information is provided in a culturally congruent manner. Information is appropriate in terms of language and conceptual level. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Information includes:
  • Child spacing, contraception, contagious conditions (sexually transmitted infections).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different contraception options, and their advantages and disadvantages, are explained to the mother at an appropriate language and conceptual level. The explanation is consistent with best nursing practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Advice and education provided facilitates the resumption of normal sexual activities in line with the condition of the patient and generally accepted nursing practice. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Evaluate the quality of post partum care. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Information is gathered from all significant stakeholders affected by post partum care, as well as records of care provision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Affected persons are debriefed in a sensitive and supportive manner, in accordance with intuitional procedures and guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information gathered is collated and areas for improvement in approach and care provision are identified, together with suggested improvements and/or recommendations to the appropriate authority. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Own care role is evaluated for impact on the comfort of the mother, and contribution to health and well-being of mother and neonate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Own care role is evaluated for impact on the comfort of the mother, and contribution to health and well-being of mother and neonate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Information relating to post partum care is disseminated via approved channels to assist with refinement of information, interventions and procedures. Information is also used to validate and/or contribute to the development of effective training in post partum care. 


    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.
  • Breast feeding knowledge and techniques.
  • Supplementary and formula feeding.
  • Breast care.
  • Comfort measures for mother.
  • Post partum blues, bonding issues, mood disturbances, resumption of sexual activity and psycho-social issues.
  • The role of the father and significant others in the post partum phase. 
    		•

    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:
  • Identifying and implementing health care solutions 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:
  • MImplementing health 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. 
    		•

    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:
  • Body as a system; part of the broader health care system. 
    		•

    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, 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. Further clarification of terms is provided as follows: 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  59236   National Diploma: Nursing  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2020-07-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    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.