92670 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.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere 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)
| A. | Describe human anatomical and physiological structures from cell physiology, all the way to human organ systems and the holistic mechanisms of the complete human body |
|---|---|
| B. | Demonstrate detailed knowledge of normal human anatomy and physiology |
| C. | Describe physiological functioning with emphasis on the physiology of pregnancy, labour and birth, the puerperium and the neonate so to be able to apply a physiological foundation to midwifery practice |
| D. | Explain the physiology of conception and embryology, fetal anatomy, physiology, and adaptation of the newborn to extra-uterine life |
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)
- Are socially responsible citizens who value the diversity of people (5.0)
- Are professionally engaged critical thinkers who take a lively and questioning approach and embrace lifelong learning (6.0)
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 the changes of the human body during childbirth. The goal of this subject is not to memorise all the information, but to encourage understanding of the learning content, know how to access and seek the content in texts and to understand how and why knowledge of anatomy and physiology is crucial for midwives.
Online Learning
Online learning materials develop student understanding of the human body and are an important mode of learning in this subject. Online materials support students to prepare for in-class learning activities (Canvas Before class activities). Canvas Post class multiple choice quizzes are utilised as an assessment item, but also as a teaching and learning tool for students. When students undertake the quizzes they receive immediate feedback about the correct and false responses. This provides information to help students understand what areas they require some further work and revision and those areas in which they are developing and building an understanding.
Tutorials
Face-to-face tutorials will be undertaken in the scheduled tutorial time. The subject coordinator will provide students with information about the commencement time of the face-to-face tutorial in Welcome to Midwifery Week. After these classes and before the subsequent week's class, it is expected that students will read that week's learning content from their chosen textbook, make notes, do the weekly quiz and revise the presentations. If students have any questions about the learning content, they are to jot down their questions for clarification during the next class. These tutorials are interactive and students are supported to engage in in-class discussions.
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
- 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 for midwifery clinical practice
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 and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 and 6.0 |
| 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): A, B, C and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 |
| 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 and physiology (12th ed.). Pearson.
This text is available either as an e-Book, paper copy, or as a free online version on the UTS Library website.
Students may use a textbook that they already own if it is a recently-published text. When purchasing a textbook, students should consider their optimal approach for understanding new information - whether through reading a textbook with minimal or extensive explanation and commentary. It is suggested that students visit the UTS Library to discover the available anatomy and physiology texts.
Recommended texts
Students may choose to acquire copies of another text for use with their learning and revision. The following texts may provide more depth of the subject content, present it differently or explain it in a straightforward manner. Copies of current and previous editions of most of these texts are available to borrow at the UTS Library. Please check the Canvas Subject Resources page to access those texts which are available online at the UTS Library.
Blackburn, S.T. (2017). Maternal, fetal and neonatal physiology: a clinical perspective (5th ed.). Saunders Elsevier.
Marieb, E.N. & Hoehn, R. (2018). Human anatomy & physiology (12th ed.). Benjamin Cummings.
Stables, D. & Rankin, J. (2017). Physiology in childbearing: with anatomy and related biosciences (4th ed.). Baillière Tindall.
Tomkins, Z. (Ed.). 2020, Applied Anatomy & Physiology: an interdisciplinary approach, Elsevier (Australia), Sydney.
Waugh, A. & Grant, A. (Eds). (2022). Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness (14th ed). 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 support services including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of UTS librarians available to help with library questions. These staff members available via online chat, phone and in person. Website: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666.
Improve academic and English language skills
In this course, marks for all assessment tasks (such as assignments and examinations) are not only given for what a student writes, but also for how a student writes. Make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services for the opportunity to improve academic and English language skills.
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) or lasting conditions. 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 studies alongside the health condition. If students are unsure whether they need assistance, UTS recommends getting in touch early for advice on how The Assessability Service service can be of assistance. Students are to make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant on Phone: +61 2 9514 1177 or Email: Accessibility@uts.edu.au.
The Financial Assistance Service can assist students 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 Phone: +61 2 9514 1177 or via Email: Financial.assistance@uts.edu.au.