92378 Midwifery in Complex Situations
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: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject prepares students to assess, plan, implement and evaluate midwifery care for women and babies who have complex needs. It examines the legal, ethical and professional responsibilities of the midwife in relation to the provision of care for this group.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Identify, describe and explore the evidence in relation to complex situations in the antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum/neonatal period that may be encountered by the woman and her family. |
|---|---|
| B. | Explain the pathophysiology of frequently occurring complexities for both the woman and her baby. |
| C. | Describe the action and safe administration of medications that may be prescribed to women and babies with complex needs |
| D. | Assess, plan, implement and evaluate midwifery care for the woman and her family who have complex needs. |
| E. | Assess, plan, implement and evaluate midwifery care for the unwell neonate. |
| F. | Demonstrate effective communication skills in order to consult, refer and provide a comprehensive and accurate handover in complex situations. |
| G. | 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)
- Appreciate the centrality of the relationship with each woman to the practice of midwifery (1.2)
- Are professionally competent midwives who provide safe and effective midwifery care using intelligent kindness (2.0)
- Have a sound and thorough knowledge base about anatomy and physiology (2.1)
- 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)
- Participate effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team (3.3)
- Are resilient, emotionally competent midwives who foster human flourishing (4.0)
- Communicate and provide effective care for women from diverse backgrounds and needs (5.4)
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 midwifery care for women with complexities in pregnancy, birth, and the puerperium.
Online learning modules
The subject benefits from the provision of online learning modules as preparation for virtual class activities. It is expected students will complete online learning modules on some topics with further discussion and clarification of these topics in the virtual sessions. Additionally, the integration of self-care techniques is important when working with women and/or neonates that experience complexities throughout the perinatal period. Students have access to mindfulness apps and online resources.
Virtual workshops
This subject provides virtual workshops to enable students to clarify, discuss, and develop subject concepts. The lectures are supported by online learning activities and followed up in the class activities which will be conducted online.
Clinical skills, communication and simulation
Students learn and practice clinical and interpersonal skills with case scenarios in the virtual classroom. These practice scenarios incorporate the development of professional communication skills including consultation and referral to medical colleagues. Students also work in groups exploring one complexity of pregnancy and the groups present to the class. There are opportunities for feedback from these group presentations. Students' development of knowledge and clinical skills in providing midwifery care for women with complexities of pregnancy, birth, and the puerperium are assessed in a case study format examination.
Content (topics)
Philosophy of midwifery practice
- Midwifery competencies and codes of practice
Reflection in midwifery practice
- Student reflection on their developing midwifery practice
- Exploration of reflective practice tools in application to midwifery practice scenarios
Anatomy and physiology
- Extension of knowledge from both Midwifery Practice 1 and Midwifery Practice 2 as students explore the anatomy and physiology related to complexities of pregnancy, childbirth, the postnatal period (including lactation) and the neonate.
- Deeper understanding of the maternal and fetal adaptations in childbirth.
Knowledge and skills
- Midwifery practice skills focusing on complexity throughout the childbearing continuum and developing students' midwifery practice knowledge, skills and attitudes
- Understanding of previous trauma experiences and the impact on women in the perinatal period
Quality and safety
- Communication skills
- Understanding of Open Disclosure
- Clinical handover
- Documentation
- Use of clinical documentation tools as mandated by the health sector
- Incident monitoring systems
- Consultation and referral including escalation of care
- Recognition of the importance of continuity of care for women with complexities
Responsibility, accountability and leadership
- The responsibility and accountability that comes with being a midwife
- The need for responsibility and accountability and how this is articulated in practice
- Reflection on the leadership role that the midwife plays in health care and that students place in the future of the profession
- Support for students through adult learning principles and group skills
- Reflect on on self-care – strategies to maintain resilience and be able to affectively work in the health care system
Assessment
Assessment task 1: CASE STUDY & INFORMATION LEAFLET
| Intent: | Students are required to identify a woman from their midwifery continuity of care experiences or clinical practice. The woman will have developed a complexity in pregnancy, birth and/or the puerperium. The student is to research the topic of the complexity and design an information brochure containing information appropriate for a woman to understand. This assessment is designed to give students an opportunity to explore the experience of providing information to a woman in a way that she and her family will understand. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 2.5 and 5.4 |
| Type: | Design/drawing/plan/sketch |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 800-1000 words |
Assessment task 2: CASE STUDY REFLECTION
| Intent: | This assessment requires students to reflect on caring for a woman who has developed a pregnancy complexity. Reflection on practice is an integral part of providing safe, informed care to women. The reflection students will undertake in this assessment has the overarching aim to maintain quality and safety for women who experience a deviation from the expected care path during pregnancy. This is achieved through understanding your own experience, feelings and lessons learned by caring for a woman who develops a complexity during or after pregnancy. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 2.0, 2.1, 2.5, 3.3 and 4.0 |
| Type: | Reflection |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Reflection: 800 words |
Assessment task 3: CASE STUDY EXAM
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, E, F and G This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0 and 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 2 hours |
Recommended texts
Catling, C., Cummins, A. & Hogan, R. (2016). Stories in Midwifery, Elsevier Australia.
Boyle, M. (Ed.). (2017). Emergencies around childbirth: a handbook for midwives. CRC Press.
Gray, J., & Smith, R. (2017). Midwifery Essentials. Elsevier.
Macdonald, S., & Johnson, G. (Eds.). (2017). Mayes' Midwifery E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Marshall, J. E., & Raynor, M. D. (2014). Myles' Textbook for Midwives E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (2018). Midwife standards for Practice, NMBA.
Simpson, M., & Catling, C. (2016). Understanding psychological traumatic birth experiences: A literature review. Women and Birth, 29(3), 203-207.
References
Boyle, M. (Ed.). (2017). Emergencies around childbirth: a handbook for midwives. CRC Press.
Gray, J., & Smith, R. (2017). Midwifery Essentials. Elsevier.
Macdonald, S., & Johnson, G. (Eds.). (2017). Mayes' Midwifery E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Marshall, J. E., & Raynor, M. D. (2014). Myles' Textbook for Midwives E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (2018). Midwife standards for Practice, NMBA.
Simpson, M., & Catling, C. (2016). Understanding psychological traumatic birth experiences: A literature review. Women and Birth, 29(3), 203-207.
Rankin, J. (2017). Physiology in Childbearing E-Book: With Anatomy and Related Biosciences. Elsevier Health Sciences.
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/.
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.