PURPOSE:
Practicing birth equity means that midwives in every birth setting must ensure that optimal wound assessment, approximation, and healing is available to each birthing person. In this presentation we’ll explore how competency-based techniques and practices can restore anatomy to its full function and beauty while building skill and confidence in the midwife. For learners, competencies can be used to acquire knowledge and skills, assess progress, and formulate or update their personalized learning plan. For educators and preceptors, competencies provide an objective guide for teaching and evaluation of learner progress.

DISCUSSION:
The competency framework presents the skills for suturing, assessment and care of birth-related tissue trauma as a continuum. These competencies provide step-by-step guides for each specific skill set. Foundational competencies include instrument handling, suture/needle selection, types of stitches, and formation of surgical knots. Birth-related competencies include knowledge of anatomy, post-birth assessment and diagnosis of tissue trauma, wound approximation, and assessment of healing.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
As a midwife and RN surgical assistant who has been teaching suturing to practicing midwives since 1994, I have heard from many midwives that they do not feel confident when performing suturing, assessment, and repair of common birth-related vulvovaginal and perineal lacerations. The literature supports having structured educational and experiential programs for clinicians learning this skill set. My goal in developing these competencies is to provide a framework for teaching that can be used by educators and learners alike, so learning can occur along a continuum, with practice, over time.

KEY MESSAGE:
This presentation will describe the role and elements of the clinical competencies for birth-related wound assessment and approximation. The focus is on demonstrating how clinical competencies for suturing, assessment, and repair can enhance the teaching and acquisition of the complex skills needed assessment and repair of birth-related lacerations. Postpartum - perineal