Course overview
This course will develop students’ knowledge and skills in providing woman-centred, evidence-based midwifery care for women with complex needs. Contents include: midwifery assessment of risk; deviations from normal across the childbirth continuum; midwifery management of medical/obstetric complications and emergencies (antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum); episiotomy; anaesthetic; recognition and clinical management of the deteriorating woman; provision of midwifery care in the event of adverse maternal and/or neonatal outcomes; evidence-based practice; law and ethics; effective communication; cultural safety; provision of woman-centred care during complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period; application and use of technology across complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period; collaboration and referral; teamwork; inquiry based learning; maternal and neonatal safety and quality; maternal and neonatal death.
Course learning outcomes
- Recognise and describe deviations from normal physiology across the childbirth continuum.
- Explain how complexities of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period impact on the psychological, social and cultural wellbeing of women and their families.
- Demonstrate the provision of woman-centred, evidence-based care for women experiencing complications during the antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum period.
- Demonstrate safe and appropriate use of technology across the childbirth continuum while acknowledging the impact this technology may have on women and their families.
- Describe the legal and ethical implications of complications experienced across the childbirth continuum.
- Understand the importance of continuity of care for women experiencing complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.