University of Technology Sydney

92352 Anatomy and Physiology: Pregnancy and Childbirth

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

In this subject students study anatomy and physiology with a particular emphasis on pregnancy, labour and birth, the puerperium, and the fetus and neonate. Students study the human biological structure and function and begin to demonstrate links with how midwives use this knowledge in practice. The subject uses a human systems-based approach.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
A. Recognise basic cellular structure and function.
B. Describe human anatomical structures and systems
C. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of normal human anatomy and physiology
D. Describe physiological functioning with emphasis on the physiology of pregnancy, labour and birth, the puerperium and the neonate
E. Comprehend the physiology of conception and embryology
F. Demonstrate understanding of fetal anatomy, physiology and adaptation to extra-uterine life
G. Demonstrate an understanding of genetics and the influence on fetal development
H. Apply a physiological foundation to midwifery practice

Teaching and learning strategies

In this subject, students participate in a range of online learning and teaching strategies that are designed to assist in developing a deeper understanding of anatomy and physiology and how this informs midwifery practice.

Online Learning
Students access online learning resources including before-class activities, post-class quizzes, podcasts, videos, and professional literature. These activities are supported by a follow-up online tutorial and an in-class activity to share learning, experiences, and reflections.

Tutorials
Tutorials will be uploaded to UTSOnline as a pre-recorded audio PowerPoint presentation. The online tutorial is in this format so that students can undertake it at their own pace each week. Students will be expected to access UTSOnline to undertake the online learning found in the presentation. It is expected that all students complete all learning activities and complete before-class work and post-class quizzes.

Online Zoom Question & Answer Session
A one-hour online Zoom meeting is scheduled for Mondays in teaching weeks to provide the students time to ask questions of the teaching content. This is a mandatory Zoom meeting, and a class role will be taken. Please make sure that the online tutorial presentation has been completed prior to this question & answer session. More information will be provided during ‘Welcome to Midwifery Week’ about this aspect of your learning.

Content (topics)

Human anatomy and physiology of systems

  • Male and female reproductive
  • Male and female urinary
  • Cardio-respiratory
  • Haematological
  • Hormonal
  • Musculoskeletal
  • Immunological
  • Integumentary
  • Gastrointestinal
  • Neurological

Anatomy and physiology in childbearing

  • Normal physiological changes and compensatory mechanisms that may assist in restoration to homeostasis during pregnancy, labour and the puerperium
  • Menstrual cycles, spermatogenesis, conception
  • IVF conception
  • Normal growth and development of the embryo and fetus
  • Fetal circulation
  • Physiological adaptation of the newborn to extra-uterine life
  • Effect of the environment on physiological processes
  • Initiation and maintenance of lactation
  • Basic processes of genetic inheritance

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Post-class weekly online quizzes

Intent:

The online quizzes are weekly assessments to assess knowledge, motivate the student to focus on A&P learning, and improve knowledge retention.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

.1

Type: Quiz/test
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 50%

Assessment task 2: Online open-book exam

Intent:

The end of semester examination will assess students' knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. All topics of the A&P subject are examinable.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

C

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

.1

Type: Examination
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 50%
Length:

The time frame to complete the online exam is two hours. This time includes any time the student wishes to spend reading the exam.

Required texts

Marieb, E.N. & Keller, S.M. 2018, Essentials of human anatomy & physiology, 12th edn, Pearson, London.

This text is available either as an e-Book, paper copy, or as a free online version on the UTS Library website.

Recommended texts

Students may choose to acquire copies of another text for use for your A&P learning. The following texts may provide more depth of the subject content, or present it differently. Copies of current and previous editions of most of these texts are available to borrow at the UTS Library.

Blackburn, S.T. 2017, Maternal, fetal & neonatal physiology: a clinical perspective, 5th edn, Saunders Elsevier, St. Louis.

Marieb, E.N. & Hoehn, R. 2010, Human anatomy & physiology, Benjamin Cummings, San Fransisco.

Stables, D. & Rankin, J. 2010, Physiology in childbearing: with anatomy and related biosciences, 3rd edn, Baillière Tindall, Edinburgh.

Tomkins, Z. (ed.) 2020, Applied Anatomy & Physiology: an interdisciplinary approach, Elsevier (Australia), Sydney.

Waugh, A. & Grant, A. (eds) 2014, Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness, 12th edn, Elsevier (Australia), Sydney.

Other resources

UTS Student Centre
Building 10

Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)

Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts

For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and UTSOnline at: https://online.uts.edu.au/webapps/login/

UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with your questions available via online chat, phone and in person. W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666.

Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.

HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733.

Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.

The Accessibility and Financial Assistance Service
The Accessibility Service can support students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions, including temporary injuries (e.g., broken limbs). The Accessibility Service works with Academic Liaison Officers in each Faculty to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ such as exam provisions, assistive technology, requests and strategies for managing your studies alongside your health condition. If you’re unsure whether you need assistance, we recommend getting in touch early and we can provide advice on how our service can assist you. Make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant (AC) on +61 2 9514 1177 or Accessibility@uts.edu.au.

The Financial Assistance Service can assist you with financial aspects of life at university, including Centrelink information, tax returns and budgeting, interest-free student loans and grants to assist with course-related costs. Check eligibility and apply online and make an appointment on +61 2 9514 1177 or Financial.assistance@uts.edu.au.