92679 Midwifery Practice 4: Working with a Woman who has a Complex Labour, Birth and Puerperium
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Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Pass fail, no marksRequisite(s): 92675 Midwifery Practice 3: Working with a Woman who has a Complex Pregnancy 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
This subject prepares students to assess, plan and evaluate midwifery care for women who have complex needs during labour, birth, and the puerperium. The subject provides theoretical underpinnings that engage students to explore how midwives can support women and builds student capacity to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attributes for midwifery practice in complex situations. Students engage in simulated learning and develop the requisite midwifery practice skills. Students engage in midwifery practice and this subject provides the opportunity to reflect on this 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 their continuity of care experiences.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Describe the underlying physiology/pathophysiology in relation to complexities in labour, birth and the postnatal period and assess, plan implement and evaluate midwifery practice |
|---|---|
| B. | Evaluate the use of evidence-based practice in relation to complex labour and birth |
| C. | Effectively document the recognition and management of complex situations |
| D. | Reflect on clinical experiences and provide rationale for care provision within legal and ethical frameworks |
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)
- Work in partnership with women (1.5)
- Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the woman and her clinical needs and works in partnership to implement a treatment plan (1.7)
- 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)
- Practise and meet the full scope of the midwife as per the International Confederation of Midwifery definition (2.6)
- Participate effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team (3.3)
- Assume responsibility for self-care and self-development as a midwife (4.3)
- Communicate and provide effective care for women from diverse backgrounds and needs (5.4)
- Are professionally engaged critical thinkers who take a lively and questioning approach and embrace lifelong learning (6.0)
- Demonstrate professional cultural competency which contributes to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians, inclusive of physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellness (7.0)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, students will participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to assist them to develop understanding and awareness of the issues related to the health and well-being of women experiencing a complexity during labour, birth or the puerperium. Exploration and engagement with contemporary, evidence-based care and practice will assist in building students professional skills and developing competency and respectful care for women during labour, birth, and the puerperium.
Tutorials
Face-to-face and virtual tutorials are provided to enable students to learn, clarify, discuss and develop subject concepts. The tutorials are supported by online learning activities and in-class activities.
Face To Face Clinical Simulation Laboratories
Students will participate in the simulated practice of clinical skills used in midwifery practice, including care of women post cesarean section, assessment of CTG, the role of a midwife during perioperative care, sterile water injection administration, vaginal examination and use of the Bishops score, oxygen therapy, complex breastfeeding support, care of the woman using epidural during labour, and midwifery care during instrumental birth. Students will also develop their competency in the safe administration of medications and drug calculations through simulation. Students must successfully complete 160 hours of clinical practice as part of the subject and submit their professional experience portfolio ( PEP) for assessment at the end of the semester.
Readiness for practice is assessed through an Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and a reflection on clinical experience using the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) competency standards for the midwife. Students must successfully complete the required period of clinical practice, continue entries in their PEP and achieve a satisfactory grade in the Australian Midwifery Standards Assessment Tool ( AMSAT).
Case studies and stories from practice
Case studies and stories from practice depict Women and their families in authentic clinical scenarios. 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.
Professional ePortfolio
Students further develop their professional ePortfolio. This online record encourages students to take an active role in the documentation, observation and review of their own progress. It is a powerful tool for focusing awareness or attention on what has been learned throughout the course, self-assessment and the development of a professional identity.
Clinical placement
Students complete 160 hours of clinical placement experience in a maternity facility, including operating theatres, 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 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): A, B and C This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0, 2.1 and 2.6 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark |
Assessment task 2: Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
| Intent: | The OSCE will assess students' ability to translate learning experiences from tutorials and clinical laboratories to simulated clinical practice. |
|---|---|
| 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): 1.1, 1.7, 2.0, 2.2, 2.6 and 3.3 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark |
| Criteria: | Assessment criteria will be available via Canvas. |
Assessment task 3: Midwifery clinical placement documentation
| Intent: | The intention of this assessment is to assess students’ clinical learning and development in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's Midwifery standards for practice (NMBA, 2018) |
|---|---|
| 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): 1.1, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.3, 4.3, 5.4, 6.0 and 7.0 |
| Type: | Portfolio |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark |
Required texts
Pairman, S. Tracy, S., Dahlen, H., & Dixon, L. (Eds.). (2019). Midwifery: Preparation for practice, 4th edn. Elsevier.
Bayes, S., & De-Vityrs Smith, S. (2022). Skills for Midwifery Practice ( Australia and New Zealand 2nd edition) Elsevier.
Recommended texts
Catling, C., Cummins, A. & Hogan, R. (2016). Stories in Midwifery: Reflection, Action, Enquiry. Elsevier.
Chapman, V. & Charles, C. (Eds.). (2013). The midwife’s labour & birth handbook, 3rd edn. Wiley-Blackwell.
Johnson, R. & Taylor, W. (2019). Skills for midwifery practice, 4th edn. Elsevier.
Marieb, E. & Hoehn, K. (2015). Human anatomy & physiology, 10th edn. Pearson.
Stables, D. & Rankin, J. (2017). Physiology in childbearing: with anatomy and related biosciences, 4th edn. Elsevier.
References
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (2017), National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (2nd ed.).
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.
Hacker, N.F., Gambone, J. C., & Hobel, C. J. (Eds.). (2016). Hacker & Moore’s Essentials of Obstetrics and Gynecology (6th ed.). Elsevier.
Johnson, R. & Taylor, W. (2019). Skills for midwifery practice, (4th edn.). Elsevier.
Other resources
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Improving academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what students write but also for how students write. Students who would like the opportunity to improve their academic and English language skills can 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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