92873 Midwifery Practice 1
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Subject handbook information prior to 2018 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Pass fail, no marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject builds on the anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, birth and the puerperium learnt in the pre-session subject. The subject provides the theoretical underpinnings to enable students to acquire the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes for midwifery practice. The primary focus of this subject is on women experiencing a normal childbearing period. Complexities in pregnancy, birth and the puerperium, including the newborn will be introduced in this subject. Students will engage in role plays, case scenarios and simulated practice in providing care to women and their families throughout pregnancy, birth and the puerperium.
Professional practice placements are a compulsory requirement and are assessed within this subject.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Demonstrate appropriate competency in midwifery practice in providing care of a woman and her baby in pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period. (NMBA 2.1, 2.3, 5.3, 5.5, 5.6) |
|---|---|
| B. | Engage with women in order to obtain, interpret and record a detailed history; perform a comprehensive psychological and social assessment; and accurately assess and evaluate findings. (NMBA 2.1, 5.2) |
| C. | Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to pregnancy, childbirth, the puerperium and lactation and to midwifery care provision. (NMBA 4.1, 5.1) |
| D. | Communicate effectively, reflect on practice and document accurately. (NMBA 1.3 2.3, 3.1,10.1) |
| E. | Use evidence to inform practice in provision of midwifery care. (NMBA 14.1) |
| F. | Work in partnership with women and other members of the health care team. (NMBA 8.1, 8.2) |
| G. | Apply legal, ethical and professional responsibilities to midwifery practice. (NMBA 1.11) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Practice woman centred care (1.0)
- Are professionally competent midwives who provide safe and effective midwifery care using intelligent kindness (2.0)
- Work collaboratively in order to provide excellence in maternity care (3.0)
- Are resilient, emotionally competent midwives who foster human flourishing (4.0)
- Are professionally engaged critical thinkers who take a lively and questioning approach and embrace lifelong learning (6.0)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, you will participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to build on your knowledge of anatomy and physiology in relation to pregnancy, birth and the puerperium. You will build on your foundational knowledge and skills to provide midwifery care in partnership with women through pregnancy, birth and the puerperium.
Online learning activities
Students access online learning resources including podcasts, videos and professional literature prior to face to face attendance. Other online resources enable students to clarify concepts and terminology.
In class activities
Face to face lectures are provided to enable students to clarify, discuss and develop subject concepts, including the online learning modules. Activities include case studies and stories from practice when working with women in pregnancy, birth and the puerperium.
Clinical skills, communication and simulation
Students will participate in simulated practice of clinical skills used in midwifery practice, including assessment and interventions for women through pregnancy, birth and the puerperium. Activities include the use of manikins, teaching staff or other students as simulated women. Students learn and practice clinical and interpersonal skills with case scenarios in the class room. These practice scenarios incorporate the development of professional communication skills including consultation and referral to medical colleagues.
Clinical placement
Students complete 32 hours per week of concurrent employment in a midwifery setting. Students provide midwifery care within interprofessional teams to develop and consolidate their knowledge, skills and attributes relevant to midwifery practice.
Content (topics)
- Subject outlines and assessments
- Antenatal care
- Antenatal screening
- Common disorders of pregnancy
- Ultrasound in pregnancy
- Care and assessment in labour
- Pharmacological pain relief
- Induction of labour
- Caesarean section
- Adaptation to extra uterine life
- Breastfeeding
- The perineum in childbirth
- Vaginal examinations
- Speculum examinations
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Anatomy and Physiology workbook
| Intent: | The primary focus of this subject is on women experiencing a normal childbearing period. The workbook will build on the anatomy and the physiological changes women experience throughout pregnancy labour, birth and the puerperium. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): C and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark |
| Length: | Workbook |
Assessment task 2: Midwifery Professional Experience Placement (PEP) Portfolio
| Intent: | The primary focus of this subject is on women experiencing a normal childbearing period. Students will record their antenatal, labour, birth, postnatal and other professional experiences in their professional practice portfolio. The students will aim to complete around half the clinical experiences in the professional practice portfolio and have met at least half of the women as part of the midwifery continuity of care experience. Midwifery continuity of care means after meeting a woman and gaining consent you will provide midwifery care for her throughout her pregnancy, be available (on call) for her birth and provide care in the postnatal period. You will have at least 5 points of contact with the woman, with an aim of building a professional relationship. It is anticipated that students will be introduced to complexities in pregnancy, birth and the puerperium and these experiences should be recorded in the professional practice portfolio although the focus is on the normal childbearing period. Students will complete these clinical experiences under the supervision of a registered midwife at all times and the registered midwife will sign each experience recorded in the professional practice portfolio. Professional practice placements are a compulsory requirement and are assessed within this subject. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, F and G This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 6.0 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark |
| Length: | as required |
Assessment task 3: Midwifery Practice Performance summary
| Intent: | The primary focus of this subject is on women experiencing a normal childbearing period. Professional practice placements are a compulsory requirement and are assessed within this subject. Midwifery students will demonstrate appropriate competency in midwifery practice in providing care of a woman and her baby in pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period and this will be recorded in conjunction with their hospital educator on the Midwifery Practice Performance Summary at the end of semester. Midwifery students will demonstrate appropriate competency in midwifery practice in providing care of a woman and her baby in pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period. The competency standards assessed are from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) competency standards for the midwife. The four domains assessed are, legal and professional practice, midwifery knowledge and practice, midwifery as primary health care and reflective and ethical practice. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, D, E, F and G This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 6.0 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark |
| Length: | Varied |
Required texts
Catling, C., Cummins A. & Hogan R 2016 Stories in Midwifery, Elsevier Australia, Sydney.
Gray, J. & Smith, R. 2008, Midwifery essentials, Elsevier Australia, Sydney.
Gray, J., Smith, R. & Homer, C. 2008, Illustrated dictionary of midwifery, Elsevier Australia, Sydney.
Marshall, J.E. & Raynor, M.D. 2014, Myles Textbook for Midwives, 16th edn, Elsevier Health Sciences
Pairman, S., Pincombe, J. Thorogood, C. & Tracy, S., 2015, Midwifery : preparation for practice, 3rd edn, Elsevier Australia, Sydney.
Stables, D. & Rankin, J. 2010, Physiology in childbearing : with anatomy and related biosciences, 3rd edn, Baillière Tindall, Edinburgh.
Recommended texts
Cochrane database, www.cochrane.org
Walsh, D. 2011, Evidence and skills for normal labour and birth: a guide for midwives, 2nd edn, Routledge, London.
References
Gray, J. & Smith, R. 2008, Midwifery essentials, Elsevier Australia, Sydney.
Gray, J., Smith, R. & Homer, C. 2008 Illustrated dictionary of midwifery, Elsevier Australia, Sydney.
Pairman, S., Pincombe, J., Thorogood, C., & Tracy, S., 2014, Midwifery : preparation for practice, 3rd edn, Elsevier Australia, Sydney.
Stables, D. & Rankin, J. 2010, Physiology in childbearing : with anatomy and related biosciences, 3rd edn, Baillière Tindall, Edinburgh.
Walsh, D. 2011, Evidence and skills for normal labour and birth : a guide for midwives, Routledge, London.
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