Course overview
This course will develop an understanding of primary midwifery practice to promote the childbirth continuum as a normal life event. This includes facilitating woman-centred care acknowledging biopsychosocial and cultural contexts of women. Contents include: reproductive anatomy review; physiology of conception; human growth and development; physiology of pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum; healthy lifestyle, health history and assessment skills; antenatal physical examination; antenatal care; the mechanisms of normal birth; midwifery care during labour, birth and postpartum; managing pain; fetal circulatory system; physiology of lactation; breast feeding; newborn assessment; Apgar scale; newborn resuscitation; biopsychosocial and cultural context; birth experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women; referral; midwifery language; communication and documentation skills; evidenced- based practice; information literacy; woman-centred care; continuity of care experience; group work; clinical skills and medication administration (e.g. maternal, sub-cut and oral medications; IM injections and neonatal IM injections); inquiry based learning.
Course learning outcomes
- Apply foundations knowledge of anatomy and physiology to midwifery practice in the pre-conception, normal pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period
- Apply knowledge of the importance of healthy lifestyle and wellbeing for the woman and her baby throughout pre-conception and the childbirth continuum
- Promote birth as a normal life event for the woman and her baby throughout the childbirth continuum
- Apply evidence-based knowledge and skills of primary midwifery practice during normal pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period.
- Acknowledge the unique context of birth for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women, families and communities
- Identify principles and practice that inform the healthcare needs of women and their families, acknowledging their social and cultural context
- Describe the importance and benefit of midwifery led continuity of care for women, families and communities
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