On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Discuss the philosophy of midwifery and the historical development of midwifery as a profession and how Primary Health Care (PHC) principles relate to the provision of midwifery care.
2. Describe the role of the midwife in the provision of safe woman centred midwifery care during pregnancy, and identify the resources available to women during pregnancy, labour and birth.
3. Describe the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their traditions around birth and identify culturally safe maternity care practices and resources in urban, rural and remote settings.
4. Explain Cultural Sensitivity, Cultural Safety and Cultural Competence and appreciate the impact of culture on the meaning of birth for yourself and others.
5. Apply sound written and verbal communication skills and identify midwifery and health care abbreviations and terminology.
6. Explain the concepts of lifelong learning, reflection and critical thinking, as they relate to midwifery practice.
7. Identify midwifery standards and guidelines and describe the principles of informed consent and confidentiality.

1. Historical Context of Childbirth:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples history of birthing throughout The ages and contemporary Issues
- birth in other cultures
- birth as A celebration of womens power and intuitive knowledge
- womens rights, Advocacy and empowerment
- medicalisation of childbirth
2. Development of Midwifery as a profession:
- students and Societies perceptions of Midwifery/birth
- philosophy of Midwifery and role of The midwife
- Global and national Standards and perspectives (ACMI, international Confederation of Midwives, World health organization)
- The midwife as A primary health care worker
- Midwifery partnership and Continuity of Midwifery care
3. Preparation for Professional and Academic Life:
A. Language and literacy for professional and academic life;
- professional language of Midwifery
- Midwifery and health care abbreviations and terminology
- introduction to Evidence Based Practice Midwifery
- Accessing scientific information
- writing and referencing styles
- commence A professional portfolio
C. Learning and the relationship to professional and academic life;
- being A learner
- lifelong learning
- learning styles
- reflection
- Critical thinking
4. Principles of Communication, Confidentiality and Consent:
A. Principles of communication;
- therapeutic use of self
- introduction to cultural Sensitivity / safety / competence / interpreters
- recognising impact of personal values and beliefs
B. Confidentiality;
- Confidentiality and Privacy Issues
- student/woman/midwife
- social networking sites
C. An introduction to informed consent and documentation;
- Legal requirements of documentation
- legal and ethical dimensions of informed consent
5. Midwife?fs Role in Pregnancy:
A. Options for maternity care including models of care;
B. Primary health care approach to antenatal care;
- woman centred care
- partnership in care
- Continuity of Midwifery care
C. the framework for quality maternal and newborn care (QMNC)
6. Pregnancy care: