92377 Midwifery Practice 2
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.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Pass fail, no marksRequisite(s): 92375 Midwifery Practice 1
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This 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 maternity emergencies that require the midwife to recognise, react and respond appropriately. 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 emergency situations |
|---|---|
| B. | Apply knowledge of pathophysiology in maternity and neonatal emergencies |
| C. | Communicate effectively, reflect on practice and document accurately in urgent and emergency situations including using incident reporting systems |
| D. | Use evidence to inform practice in provision of midwifery care |
| E. | In a simulated environment, demonstrate effective teamwork |
| F. | Explain clinical risk management strategies in maternity care |
| G. | Recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to non-reassuring fetal heart rate patterns |
| H. | Critique what it means to be a midwife in relation to regulation, professional codes of practice and frameworks for support and continuing professional development |
| I. | Apply legal, ethical and professional responsibilities to midwifery practice |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Practise woman-centred care (1.0)
- Demonstrate woman-centred care, acknowledging the physiological, psychological, cultural and spiritual needs of women, their babies and family members (1.1)
- Are professionally competent midwives who provide safe and effective midwifery care using intelligent kindness (2.0)
- 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)
- Work collaboratively in order to provide excellence in maternity care (3.0)
- Influence change and contribute to the development of midwifery as a strong profession through leadership, mentoring and positive role modelling (3.1)
- Are professionally engaged critical thinkers who take a lively and questioning approach and embrace lifelong learning (6.0)
- Interpret and value the evidence to underpin practice and influence change (6.1)
- Critique and reflect upon the impact of ongoing colonisation and its pervasive discourse on Indigenous Australians and their health and wellbeing (7.2)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, students participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to encourage them to engage with contemporary, evidence based midwifery care and practice.
Online learning modules
The subject benefits from the provision of online learning modules as preparation for virtual in-class learning activities. UTS has developed a number of online learning resources that students are required to watch before classes (eg. management of shoulder dystocia) to support their classroom learning.
Clinical skills, communication and simulation
Students participate in simulated practice of clinical skills used in maternity emergency situations, including effective team and communication skills and accurate contemporaneous documentation. Students will participate in assessing and responding to a variety of maternity emergencies through the use of mannequins, teaching staff or other students as simulated women. Students learn and practise clinical and interpersonal skills with case scenarios in the skills laboratories. These practice scenarios incorporate the development of professional communication skills including escalation of the deteriorating women, consultation and referral to medical colleagues.
Prior to simulations, the students are supported in utilising self-care strategies as part of mindfulness practice ensuring every student feels able to participate in the simulations. In addition, group debriefing ensures that students do not leave an emergency simulation feeling distressed.
Readiness for practice is assessed through a clinical viva of a simulated birth emergency. Students will also complete and submit their professional experience portfolio to their educator and complete their AMSAT on MyPlacement.
Clinical placement
In this subject, students will undertake concurrent employment of 32 hours per week in the clinical setting. Under supervision, students provide midwifery care to women and their families within multi-disciplinary teams to develop and consolidate their knowledge, skills and attributes.
Content (topics)
Maternity emergencies
• Shoulder dystocia
• Maternal collapse
• PPH
• Breech birth
• Cord prolapse
• Eclampsia
• Maternal and neonatal resuscitation
Clinical risk management
• Incident monitoring systems
• Frameworks for responding to incidents
• Recognising a women or baby whose condition is deteriorating
• Handover and documentation
Philosophy of midwifery practice
• Midwifery competencies
• Codes of practice
Quality and safety
• Communication skills
• Clinical handover
• Documentation
• Consultation and referral including escalation of care
• Recognition and response to clinical deterioration
• Recognition of the importance of continuity of care for all women
Reflection in midwifery practice
This subject encourages students to reflect on their developing midwifery practice, using the PEP portfolio and in-class or online discussions. Reflective practice tools are explored and applied to midwifery practice scenarios.
Anatomy and physiology
This subject extends the knowledge from Midwifery Practice 1 as students explore the anatomy and physiology related to maternal and neonatal emergencies during pregnancy, childbirth, the postnatal period (including lactation) and the neonate. It addresses a deeper understanding of the maternal and fetal adaptations in childbirth.
Knowledge and skills
Midwifery practice skills focus on emergency recognition and response in timely manner. The content supports the ongoing development of students’ midwifery practice knowledge, skills and attitudes that were introduced in Midwifery Practice 1.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT (PEP) PORTFOLIO
| Intent: | The primary focus of this subject is on women experiencing complications and interventions in the childbearing period. Professional practice placements are a compulsory requirement and are assessed within this subject. Students will record their antenatal, labour, birth, postnatal and other professional experiences in their professional experience placement (PEP) portfolio. By the end of the Spring session, the students must complete all their clinical experiences in the PEP portfolio including the women they have enaged in their Continuity of Care Experience. Midwifery students will demonstrate appropriate competecy in midwifery practice in providing care for women and babies experiencing complications and interventions. 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 PEP portfolio. The PEP portfolio and will be assessed and signed off by the hospital-based clinical facilitator. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, E and G This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.1, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 6.1 |
| Type: | Portfolio |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | As required |
Assessment task 2: AUSTRALIAN MIDWIFERY STANDARDS ASSESSMENT TOOL (AMSAT)
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 2.3, 2.5, 3.0, 3.1, 6.0, 6.1 and 7.2 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | As required |
Assessment task 3: CLINICAL VIVA
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5 and 3.0 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Weight: | 30% |
Required texts
Catling, C., Cummins A. & Hogan R, 2016 Stories in Midwifery, Elsevier Australia, Sydney.
References
Byrom, S. and Downe, S. (eds) (2015), The roar behind the silence: Why kindness, compassion and respect matter in maternity care, Pinter and Martin.
Catling, C., Cummins, A. & Hogan, R. (2016). Stories in Midwifery, Elsevier Australia.
Gray, J., Smith, R. (2018). Midwifery essentials, Elsevier Australia.
Macdonald, S. and Johnson, G. (eds), (2017). Mayes Midwifery, 15th edn, Elsevier.
Marshall, J.E. & Raynor, M.D. (2020). Myles’ textbook for midwives, 17th edn, Elsevier Health Sciences.
Nelson-Piercy, C. (2015). Handboook of obstetric medicine, 5th edn, Boca Raton, FL.CRC press.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (2018). Midwife standards for practice, NMBA, Melbourne.
Pairman, S., Tracy, S., Dahlen, H. & Dixon, L. (eds) (2019). Midwifery: preparation for practice, 4th edn, Book 1, Elsevier.
Pairman, S., Tracy, S., Dahlen, H. & Dixon, L. (eds) (2019). Midwifery: preparation for practice, 4th edn, Book 2, Elsevier.
Stables, D. & Rankin J. (2011). Physiology in childbearing: with anatomy and related biosciences, 3rd edn, Elsevier.
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 Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.
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.