MID442 Midwifery Studies 2 (8)

This subject explores midwifery care when the womans experience is/has become complex during her pregnancy, labour/birth and the postpartum period. Like every other subject in the course, MID442 incorporates the principles of woman-centred care which includes the involvement of those identified by the woman as being significant to her. While it is identified that conditions of the fetus and the unwell neonate cause the womans experience to become complex; midwifery care of the unwell neonate is covered in MID524. Prior to attending the MID442 residential school, all students must have experienced a minimum of 50 hours in the antenatal, birthing, postnatal and unwell newborn areas to enable them to build on experience and knowledge gained. Students also need to have been with a minimum of 7 labouring and birthing women.
The role of the midwife is significant in situations where the womans pregnancy, labour and postpartum period are complex. The midwife must (in consultation with and referral to other appropriate health professionals, as appropriate) screen for risk factors, have a sound knowledge of pharmacology to apply to their midwifery practice and render immediate stabilising care (sometimes in preparation for transit). The aim of this subject is to develop understanding of maternal complications that may exist or arise during pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period and the role of the midwife in working with a woman whose experience is complex.

Subject Outlines
Current CSU students can view Subject Outlines for recent sessions. Please note that Subject Outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

Availability

* Offering has a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Session 1 (30)
Online *
Wagga Wagga Campus
Session 2 (60)
Online *
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: MID442. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health

Enrolment Restrictions

Available to students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Midwifery, Master of Midwifery or practicing Registered Midwives undertaking the Bachelor of Nursing Science or Master of Nursing degrees.

Prerequisites

MID441 and MID452

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to promote safe and effective midwifery care through recognising and acting within own knowledge base and scope of practice;
  • be able to demonstrate knowledge of the range of physical, social and emotional changes that occur during a complex pregnancy, labour/birth, postnatal period and how these changes may affect the woman;
  • be able to plan, implement and evaluate midwifery care in response to emergency and life-threatening situations within the antenatal, labour, birth, postnatal period;
  • in partnership with the woman: plan be able to implement and evaluate midwifery care when she experiences non-life threatening complications / complex needs within the antenatal, labour, birth, postnatal period;
  • be able to demonstrate knowledge of applied pharmacology and function in accordance with legislation and common law affecting midwifery practice;
  • be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to enable the initiation, supply and administration of pharmacological substances in a safe and effective manner within relevant state or territory legislation, outlining the requirements to enable eligible midwifery endorsement;
  • be able to consult with, and refer to, another midwife or appropriate health care provider when the needs of the woman fall outside own scope of practice or competence;
  • be able to collaborate with, and refer women to appropriate community agencies and support networks;
  • be able to develop effective strategies to implement and support collaborative midwifery practice;

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Module 1: Midwifery support of the childbearing woman experiencing new or existing mental health problems; recognising, responding to and referring women experiencing perinatal mental health issues;
  • Module 2: Midwifery support of the woman with co-morbidities;
  • Module 3: Woman-centred midwifery care of the woman experiencing emergency and complex situations during pregnancy, labour/birth and/or the postpartum period. In a simulated setting, students will practice vaginal breech birth, episiotomy and perineal repair as well as midwifery emergencies including shoulder dystocia and maternal resuscitation;
  • Module 4: Applied pharmacology for midwives; administering and /or prescribing medications within scope of practice and legislation;
  • Module 5: Midwives working to their full scope of practice; the eligible midwife.

Residential School

This subject contains a 6 day Compulsory Residential School.

Six days of theoretical information and clinical practice provides opportunities for simulated learning in relation to care of the woman experiencing a complex pregnancy, labour, birth, postpartum and care of the unwell infant.

Optional for students who are already registered midwives, compulsory for all other students.

Some residential school presentations with a lecture format are recorded on CSU replay.

Contact

Current Students

For any enquiries about subject selection or course structure please contact Student Central or ask@csu.edu.au or phone on 1800 275 278.

Prospective Students

For further information about Charles Sturt University, or this course offering, please contact info.csu on 1800 275 278 (free call within Australia) or enquire online.

The information contained in the 2018 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: August 2018. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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