92637 Supporting Families
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksDescription
The transition from pregnancy to parenthood is a significant life event and the midwife plays an important role in the early days of parenting. Supporting and promoting breastfeeding is an important focus of this subject. The subject explores theories of maternal–infant attachment and bonding, and public health issues such as safe sleeping. Students also develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to work with women whose transition is complicated by perinatal mental health issues and child protection concerns.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Explain the importance of supporting early maternal–infant attachment and bonding. (NMBA 4.3, 5.1) |
|---|---|
| B. | Develop the knowledge and skills required to support women with breastfeeding challenges. Apply the principles of the Baby Friendly Health Initiative in their practice. (NMBA 5.4) |
| C. | Explain the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to support women, their partners and families as they transition to parenthood. (NMBA 5.3, 5.6, 7.1, 7.2) |
| D. | Explore perinatal mental health issues and the impact on the family. (NMBA 5.1, 6.1) |
| E. | In a simulated environment, demonstrate midwifery practice skills related to screening for perinatal mental health. (NMBA 3.1, 6.1) |
| F. | Understand the midwife's role in health promotion in relation to ensuring women have the necessary information as they transition to motherhood. (NMBA 7.1, 9.1) |
| G. | Identify the role of the midwife in complying with child protection legislation. (NMBA 1.2, 1.4) |
| H. | Apply legal, ethical and professional responsibilities to midwifery practice. (NMBA 11.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Practise 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 socially responsible citizens who value the diversity of people (5.0)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, you will participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to develop your knowledge, skills and attitudes when supporting women and their families during their transition to parenthood. These learning and teaching strategies will include:
In class activities tutorials and online learning materials
This subject benefits from the real-time delivery of content and access to online resources including podcasts, videos and learning modules. Face to face lectures and tutorials enable students to quickly clarify complex issues and engage with sensitive or confronting topics.
Case Scenarios
Cases are used to help students explore topic related scenarios. Cases explore the issues that women and their families experience as they transition to parenthood. Students use these scenarios to learn concepts, interpret information, from clinical judgements and develop creative solutions. Critical thinking is developed through analysis, interpretation of and reflection on issues or situations.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Analysis of a case study of a woman experiencing perinatal mental health issues
| Intent: | Completion of the case study enables students to develop midwifery skills in assessing women in pregnancy for perinatal mental health issues, demonstrating knowledge of referral pathways for women who have perinatal mental health issues and practising woman centred care acknowledging the diversity of women. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): C, D, E, F, G and H This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 2000 words |
| Criteria: | Please see this subject in UTSOnline for assessment criteria. |
Assessment task 2: Short answer and multiple choice examination based on case scenarios
| Intent: | The examination will provide case studies with multiple choice and short answer questions in relation to midwifery care supporting women and their families as they transition to parenthood. The examination will cover the multitude of challenges parents face with regards to breastfeeding, baby sleep settling techniques, parenting decisions such as immunisations, changes to relationships and contraceptive needs. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 5.0 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | As required |
| Criteria: | The examination includes short answer and multiple choice questions covering the case scenarios from topics in the subject. |
Required texts
Catling, C., Cummins, A. & Hogan, R., 2015, Stories in Midwifery, Elsevier, Sydney
Marshall, J. & Raynor, M. (eds) 2014, Myles textbooks for Midwives, 16th edn, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.
Pairman, S., Tracey, S., Thorogood, C. & Pincombe, J. (eds) 2015, Midwifery:preparation for practice, 3rd edn, Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, Sydney.
References
Austin, M.P., Priest, S.R. & Sullivan, E.A. 2008, 'Antenatal psychosocial assessment for reducing perinatal mental health morbidity', Cochrane Database Systematic Review, No. 4, CD005124.
Barnes, M. & Rowe, J. 2008, Child, youth and family health: strengthening communities, Elsevier Australia, Sydney.
Beyondblue 2011, Clinical practice guidelines for depression and related disorders (anxiety, bipolar and puerperal psychosis) in the perinatal period, Beyondblue, Melbourne.
BeyondBlue 2011, Beyond babyblues: Detecting and managing perinatal mental health disorders in primary care. Available from http://thinkgp.com.au/beyondblue (accessed 27 September 2014).
Bick, D., MacArthur, C. & Winter, H. 2009, Postnatal care: evidence and guidelines for management, 2nd edn, Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, Edinburgh.
Bromfield, L., Lamont, A., Parker, R. & Horsfall, B. 2010, Issues for the safety and wellbeing of children in families with multiple and complex problems: The co-occurrence of domestic violence, parental substance misuse, and mental health problems, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne.
Byrom, S., Edwards, G. & Bick, D. 2010, Essential midwifery practice: postnatal care, Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester.
Dalzell, J., Rogerson, E. & Martindale, L. 2010, Breastfeeding: contemporary issues in practice and policy, Radcliffe, Oxford.
Dykes, F. & Moran, V.H. 2009, Infant and young child feeding: challenges to implementing a global strategy, Wiley-Blackwell Pub., Chichester.
Edwards, G. & Byrom, S. 2007, Essential midwifery practice public health, Blackwell, Oxford.
Hanley, J. 2009, Perinatal mental health: a guide for health professionals and users, Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester.
Hodgson, D.M. & Coe, C.L. 2006, Perinatal programming: early life determinants of adult health & disease, Taylor & Francis, London.
Riordan, J. & Wambach, K. 2010, Breastfeeding and human lactation, 4th edn, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury.
Other resources
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