92668 Foundation of Midwifery Practice
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject introduces students to the Bachelor of Midwifery by providing an overview of the program and the philosophy of midwifery. In this subject students are introduced to childbearing as a normal, but significant, life event for a woman or birthing person and her/their family. The subject focuses on the physical and emotional changes during preconception, pregnancy, labour and birth and the postnatal period, and their potential affects on the experience of childbearing. Through face to face and online tutorials and forums, students develop skills to enable them to work effectively with women and birthing people. As the intention of the Bachelor of Midwifery is to prepare students for practice as a midwife, this subject explores the forces that have shaped, and continue to shape, the philosophy, practice and image of midwifery.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Identify the legal, ethical and professional responsibilities and the values underpinning safe midwifery practice including the origins of the profession of midwifery and the current professional issues. |
|---|---|
| B. | Describe the anatomy and physiology related to preconception, pregnancy, childbirth, the puerperium and lactation, and the importance of how environment, lifestyle choices and medications can affect the developing baby. |
| C. | Discuss the recommended screening tests and assessments during preconception, pregnancy, childbirth, the puerperium and lactation. |
| D. | Explain the physical and emotional changes as a woman transitions to parenthood and the potential effects on women's lives and wellbeing. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- 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)
- Provide an optimal child-bearing environment for each woman (1.4)
- Demonstrate an awareness of sustainability of physiological processes to reduce the environmental footprint (1.6)
- 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)
- Supporting women to make informed decisions (4.2)
- Integrate strategies for ongoing personal and professional development (4.4)
- Practise midwifery within a primary health care philosophy (5.1)
- Interpret and value the evidence to underpin practice and influence change (6.1)
- Comply with intellectual academic writing practices and use information ethically, legally and respectfully (6.3)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, students will participate in a range of learning and teaching strategies that are designed to enhance learning.
ONLINE LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Students access online learning resources via UTS Canvas, to be completed prior to the scheduled tutorials, These learning resources include online readings, lectures, videos and professional literature and students will engage in online and face to face discussion. Students are required to complete weekly online modules in which they will receive immediate feedback.
TUTORIAL CLASSES
Tutorials will be undertaken face-to-face or through the online platform, Canvas, in the scheduled tutorial timeframe. Tutorials enable students to clarify, discuss and develop subject concepts about anatomy and physiology related to childbearing. Students will engage in groupwork during tutorials to enable peer to peer learning and will receive peer and tutor feedback.
MIDWIFERY SCENARIOS
Scenarios depict women and their families in clinical or community situations. Students use these scenarios to learn concepts and interpret information. Students develop critical thinking through analysis, interpretation and reflection on issues or situations. Students work through case studies in class that focus on the changes experienced by women through pregnancy, labour and birth, and the postpartum period.
PROFESSIONAL e-PORTFOLIO
Students are introduced to their professional e-Portfolio. This online record encourages students to take an active role in the documentation, observation, and review of their own progress.
An aim of this subject is to develop academic and professional language and communication skills in order to succeed at university and in the workplace. To determine current academic language proficiency, students are required to complete an online language screening task, OPELA (information available at https://www.uts.edu.au/research-andteaching/learning-and-teaching/enhancing/language-and-learning/about-opela-students). Students who receive a Basic grade for OPELA must attend additional Language Development Tutorials (each week from week [3/4] to week [11/12]) in order to pass the subject. These tutorials are designed to support the development of language and communication skills. Students who do not complete the OPELA and/or do not attend 80% of the Language Development Tutorials will receive a Fail grade.
Content (topics)
Course overview
- Introduction to the Bachelor of Midwifery
- Introduction to UTS and student learning support
- Sessions on academic writing and library skills
- The role of the midwife
- International definition of the midwife, including role and scope
- The philosophy of midwifery
- The role of the regulatory authority
- Codes of ethics and professional practice
- Historical origins of midwifery
- Role of the Australian College of Midwives (ACM), other professional associations and groups including consumer and peer-support organisations
- Reflection, resilience and mindfulness in midwifery practice
- Overview of Australian health care system and the broader political landscape in which midwives operate
- Application of anatomy and physiology related to preconception, pregnancy, childbirth, the postnatal period including screening tests and assessments.
Midwifery knowledge and practice
- Physical and emotional changes and their potential effects on women’s lives and wellbeing, socio-cultural influences, midwifery care
- Application of maternal and fetal adaptations to childbirth:
- During labour and birth: physiological process, psychological and socio-cultural influences
- Postpartum period: physical and emotional changes in the postpartum period and their potential effects on women’s lives and wellbeing, socio-cultural influences and midwifery care
- Application of the physiology of lactation in relation to the effective establishment and maintenance of lactation and the BFHI best practice standards
- Anatomy and physiology related to pregnancy, childbirth, the postnatal period
- Newborn period: physiological adaptation and normal behaviour
- Community resources available to women and families
- The importance and value of midwifery continuity of care in the transition through pregnancy to new motherhood.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Annotated bibliography
| Intent: | Annotated bibliography on a contemporary midwifery topic. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, C and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.1, 1.6, 5.1, 6.1 and 6.3 |
| Type: | Annotated bibliography |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 2000 words (Part A: 1000 words and Part B: 1000 words) plus reference list. |
Assessment task 2: Online exam
| Intent: | Pregnancy, birth and the transition to parenthood is a significant life event for women and their families. Midwifery students will be assessed on their understanding of the physiology the woman is experiencing during the childbearing period during an online case based exam. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): B, C and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.2 and 4.4 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Two (2) hours |
Assessment task 3: Weekly modules
| Intent: | Online anatomy and physiology modules with early feedback will assist the midwifery student to understand the physical and emotional changes a woman experiences during pregnancy, birth and the puerperium. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): B This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.1 and 2.2 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
Minimum requirements
It is a requirement of this subject that all students complete OPELA (or a written diagnostic task). Students who received a Basic grade in the OPELA (or the written diagnostic task) are required to attend 80% of the Language Development Tutorials in order to pass the subject. Students who do not complete the OPELA and/or do not attend 80% of the Language Development Tutorials will receive a Fail grade.
Required texts
Rankin, J. (2020). Myles midwifery anatomy & physiology workbook (2nd edition). Elsevier Australia.
References
Department of Health (2018). Clinical Practice Guidelines: Pregnancy Care. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health.
Gray, J. & Smith, R. (2018). Midwifery essentials of Midwifery (2nd ed.). Elsevier.
Gray, J., Smith, R. & Homer, C. (2018). Illustrated dictionary of midwifery (2nd ed.). Elsevier.
Johnson, R. & Taylor, W. (2016). Skills for midwifery practice (4th ed.). Churchill Livingston.
Marshall, J.E. & Raynor, M.D. (2014). Myles' textbook for midwives (16th ed.). Churchill Livingston.
Leap, N., Hunter, B., (2016). Supporting Women for Labour and Birth, A thoughtful guide. Routledge.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) (2018). Midwife Standards for Practice, NMBA.
Page, L., McCandlish, R. (2006). The New Midwifery, Science and Sensitivity in Practice (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.
Pairman, S., Tracy, S., Dahlen, H. & Dixon, L. (Eds.). (2018a). Midwifery: preparation for practice (4th ed.). Book 1, Elsevier.
Pairman, S., Tracy, S., Dahlen, H. & Dixon, L. (Eds.). (2018b). Midwifery: preparation for practice (4th ed.). Book 2, Elsevier.
Waugh, A. & Grant, A. (2014). Ross & Wilson anatomy and physiology in health and illness (12th ed.). Churchill Livingstone.
Wickham, S. (Ed.). (2008). Midwifery Best Practice Volume 5. Butterworth Heinemann, Elsevier.
Other resources
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