Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 401351

Coordinator Fiona Arundell Opens in new window

Description This subject provides students with the knowledge to collaborate with all health professionals and includes developing clinical skills; assessing procedures for managing obstetric emergencies; undertaking simulations of obstetric emergencies; transferring women or newborns with complex health issues; and assessing referral pathways. Students will continue to gain practical experience in designated clinical areas and follow their 10 women throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period in a continuity of care model. They will strengthen their skills in undertaking psychosocial assessment, effectively engaging women in services, facilitating groups and working in collaboration with other professionals to support women.

School Nursing & Midwifery

Discipline Midwifery

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Pre-requisite(s) NURS 7053 AND
NURS 7054

Co-requisite(s) NURS 7051

Equivalent Subjects NURS 7035 Midwifery practice 2

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 4775 Graduate Diploma in Midwifery and be a registered nurse employed in a participating NSW Health Local Health District or private maternity facility in the position of a midwifery student.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate midwifery skills for the assessment and care for women with complex needs
2. Discuss the rationale for the assessment and care of women with complex needs during pregnancy, labour and birth and the postnatal period
3. Demonstrate midwifery skills for the assessment and care of the sick neonate
4. Identify and appropriately manage emerging and escalating situations that may require referral or additional care including the referral processes and collaborative care
5. Identify emergency situations related to childbirth and the role of the midwife and other health professionals in providing emergency care
6. Implement appropriate midwifery management during emergency situations
7. Demonstrate safe Midwifery standards of practice and capacity to critically reflect on the professional requirements for midwifery practice

Subject Content

1. Introduction to Complex Midwifery Practice
- Midwifery Practice Portfolio: Midwifery Continuity of Care Case Notes and reflections, Midwifery Log of Practice Experience, Midwife standards for practice
2. Communication
- Respectful communication
- Midwifery language for working with women
- Midwifery terms and acronyms
3. Skills
- Care of the woman having Epidural pain relief
- Amniotomy and application of Foetal Scalp Electrode
- Episiotomy, assessment of the perineum following birth and perineal repair
- Venepuncture / Intravenous cannulation
- Care of the woman having labour induction/augmentation
- Supporting birth process for malpresentations and malpositions
- Receiving the baby at LSCS
- Care of a baby receiving oxygen
- Insertion of a nasogastric tube
- Care of the baby receiving phototherapy
- Care of the woman and/or baby following death
- k2ms
4. Escalating complexities
- Warning flags
- Midwifery actions
- Midwives responses
- Communication
- Documentation
5. Skills for managing emerging and escalating emergency situations
- Communication skills for complex and emergency situations
- Obstetric emergencies: Antepartum haemorrhage; postpartum haemorrhage and third stage complications (inverted uterus, retained placenta); maternal seizures / Eclamptic fit; Cord presentation / prolapse; Amniotic fluid embolism; Ruptured uterus; Shoulder dystocia
- Care of the critically ill woman (antenatal, labour/birth and postnatal)
- Care of the unwell newborn
- Maternal resuscitation
- Neonatal resuscitation