MID4000 · Theory and practice of complex midwifery

Overview

This theory and practice unit will introduce you to the complexities of childbearing and emergency birthing challenges that women may experience during pregnancy, labour and birth and the first weeks after birth. Obstetric and medical complications during pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum period will be discussed. You will develop your knowledge and skills relating to midwifery and obstetric management of complex situations including obstetric emergencies. You will also engage with current issues when working with the vulnerability of perinatal women and their families and when dealing with perinatal mental illness and perinatal loss. Emphasis is given to the collaborative role of the midwife, referral, use of medical technology, obstetric intervention, and the psychosocial implications for women and midwives. Whilst recognising the role of other healthcare practitioners, woman-centred care and the role of the midwife will be central.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment task/s. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Explain the role of the midwife and collaborative practice related to challenges for women with complex obstetric and medical conditions, including the interventions required during the childbearing period
2. Describe the pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence for care, including pharmacological management and expected outcomes, associated with selected specific conditions that affect pregnancy, labour and birth, and the first few weeks after birth
3. Apply appropriate knowledge to liaise within a multidisciplinary healthcare team contributing to development and implementation of collaborative care for women experiencing complex challenges in childbearing
4. Discuss and critique screening tests, technologies and interventions during pregnancy, labour, birth and after childbirth
5. Discuss vulnerable situations during childbirth and the support services available for women experiencing pregnancy loss, perinatal mental health issues or domestic violence
6. Evaluate available community peri-natal mental health support services appropriate for women including those from vulnerable populations’ (+/- such as indigenous woman and refugees and asylum seekers)
7. Identify and manage a range of maternity care emergency situations, including complex physical health problems during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period
8. Demonstrate the ability to identify and manage selected emergencies in a simulated setting
9. Demonstrate midwifery competency based upon the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Midwife standards for practice and Code of conduct for midwives, and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Code of ethics for midwives.

Workload

10 hours per week of teacher facilitated and self-directed learning including tutorials, interprofessional learning and online activities. Please refer to Moodle for tutorial types and requirements.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.