University of Technology Sydney

92361 Midwifery Practice 3: Complex Pregnancy

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

Requisite(s): 92357 Midwifery Practice 2: Supporting Women AND 92354 Introductory Pharmacology and Microbiology
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

Students in this subject work in simulated learning environments to learn and develop the requisite midwifery practice skills. Students engage in midwifery practice and are provided with opportunities to reflect on their practice. In the midwifery practice setting, students work with midwives and implement care based on clinical decisions developed in collaboration with others. Students are expected to continue with their continuity of midwifery care experiences. The skills acquired in this subject relate to, and are supported by, the concurrent theoretical subject, 92359 Women with Complex Pregnancies.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
A. Provide safe midwifery care based on clinical decisions developed in collaboration with the maternity care team
B. Administer medications safely, and demonstrate competency in drug calculations
C. Demonstrate effective handover techniques and documentation skills
D. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate practice skills in complex situations
E. Effectively document the recognition and management of complex situations
F. Apply theoretical underpinnings to the skills developed in this subject
G. Demonstrate appropriate competency in midwifery practice
H. Reflect on clinical experiences and provide rationale for care provision
I. Demonstrate appropriate proficiency in maths calculations
J. Continue with midwifery continuity of care experiences

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)
  • Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the discipline of midwifery (2.1)
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and sound clinical judgment that is based on evidence and reflects appropriate reasoning within the relevant professional codes and guidelines (2.2)
  • Communicate effectively using spoken, written and non-verbal language across a range of contexts and to diverse audiences (2.3)
  • Demonstrate competence in all clinical skills at the level of a new graduate midwife and be eligible to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for registration as a midwife (2.5)

Teaching and learning strategies

Learning and Teaching Strategies
In this subject, you will participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to encourage you to engage with contemporary, evidence-based midwifery care and practice, particularly around complex pregnancy.

Online learning activities
Online resources enable students to clarify complex concepts and terminology and engage with sensitive or confronting topics at their own pace. Online activities are then discussed in class to share learning, experiences and reflections.

Face-to-face classes
Face-to-face clinical laboratory sessions and online activities are provided to enable students to clarify, discuss and develop subject concepts.

Clinical skills, communication skills and simulation
Students will participate in the simulated practice of clinical skills used in midwifery practice, including supporting women in pregnancy, the safe administration of medications and competency in drug calculations. Students learn and practice clinical and interpersonal skills with case scenarios in the classroom. These practice scenarios incorporate the development of professional communication skills including consultation and referral to other health care professionals.

Students must successfully complete the required period of clinical practice as part of this subject and submit their professional experience portfolio for assessment at the end of the semester.

Case studies and stories from practice
Case studies and stories from practice depict people and their families in clinical, community and social situations. Students use these scenarios to learn concepts, interpret information and develop creative solutions. Critical thinking is developed through analysis, interpretation of and reflection on issues or situations.

Clinical placement
Students complete 96 hours of clinical placement experience in a maternity unit, to develop and consolidate their knowledge, skills, and attributes relevant to the care of women and babies. Students provide midwifery care to women, babies, and their families, under the direct supervision of registered midwives and medical practitioners.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Medication administration assessment

Intent:

The intent of this assessment is to develop students competence regarding the safe administration of medications to women and babies in their care.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

B, G and I

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

2.0

Type: Quiz/test
Weight: Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark
Length:

30 minutes during tutorial session.

Assessment task 2: Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

Intent:

The OSCE will assess students' ability to translate learning experiences from laboratories and worshops to simulated clinical practice.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B, D, F, G and I

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

2.0, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.5

Type: Laboratory/practical
Weight: 50%

Assessment task 3: Clinical Practice Experience Documentation

Intent:

The intention of this task is to assess students' clinical learning and development in accordance with the Midwife Standards for Practice (NMBA 2018).

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

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

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

1.0, 2.0, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.5

Type: Portfolio
Weight: Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark

Assessment task 4: Case Study Examination

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

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

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

1.0, 2.0, 2.2 and 2.3

Type: Examination
Weight: 50%
Length:

This examination will be two (2) hours.

Required texts

Catling, C., Cummins, A., & Hogan, R. (2016). Stories in midwifery?: reflection, inquiry, action. Elsevier.

Marshall, J. Raynor, M. D., & Fraser, D. M. (Eds.). (2014). Myles textbook for midwives (16th ed.). Saunders.

Pairman. S. (Ed.). (2019). Midwifery : preparation for practice (4th ed.). Elsevier. (available as an ebook at UTS library)

Recommended texts

England, C., & Morgan, R. (2012). Communication skills for midwives : challenges in everyday practice. McGraw-Hill.

Gray, Smith, R. A., & Homer, C. (2018). Illustrated dictionary of midwifery (2nd ed). Elsevier.

References

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (2017), National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (2nd ed.).

Blackburn, S.T. (Ed.). (2013). Maternal, fetal, & neonatal physiology?: a clinical perspective (4th ed.). Elsevier Saunders.

England, C., & Morgan, R. (2012). Communication skills for midwives : challenges in everyday practice. McGraw-Hill.

Foley, M.R., Strong, T. H., & Garite, T. J. (2018). Obstetric intensive care manual (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

Gatford, J.D. & Phillips, N. (2016). Nursing calculations, (9th ed.). Elsevier.

Gray, J., Smith, R. A., & Homer, C. (2018). Illustrated dictionary of midwifery (2nd ed.). Elsevier.

Hacker, N.F., Gambone, J. C., & Hobel, C. J. (Eds.). (2016). Hacker & Moore’s essentials of obstetrics and gynecology (6th ed.). Elsevier.

Hanretty, K. P., Ramsden, I., & Callander, R. (2009). Obstetrics illustrated. (7th ed.). Churchill Livingstone.

Marieb, E.N. & Keller, S.M. (Eds.) (2018). Essentials of human anatomy & physiology, (12th ed.) Pearson.

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

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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.

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