Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 401034

Coordinator Elaine Burns Opens in new window

Description This subject provides students with the midwifery knowledge related to the postnatal period. It will focus on maternal postnatal and newborn care including infant feeding, bonding and attachment. Breastfeeding is a core maternity indicator and is a focus for improving public health. Midwifery skills and knowledge to assist women in the preparation, initiation and establishment of breastfeeding will be examined as well as the historical and social contexts of infant feeding and challenges that this and other problems may pose for women. The midwives role in supporting women who are breastfeeding is addressed including the need to offer consistent evidence-based information.

School Nursing & Midwifery

Discipline Midwifery

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Pre-requisite(s) NURS 1010

Co-requisite(s) NURS 2025

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 4684 Bachelor of Midwifery.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Discuss the role of the midwife in the provision of care to the woman, her baby and family during the first four to six postnatal weeks using a Primary Health Care framework.
2. Examine the role of the midwife in supporting the transition to parenthood including social, emotional and mental health.
3. Analyse the basic needs and assessment of the newborn including nutritional requirements and growth and development during their first six weeks of life.
4. Describe the historical and social contexts of infant feeding, evidence for breastfeeding and the role of the midwife in supporting the woman to breastfeed.
5. Discuss the role of the midwife in supporting women who are experiencing challenges breastfeeding and women who are not breastfeeding.
6. Examine cultural practices related to the postpartum period

Subject Content

Midwifery care and the Postnatal Well Woman

• Understanding the transition to parenthood for both mothers and fathers
• Effective communication skills
• Supporting the social, emotional and mental health needs of the mother transitioning to motherhood
• Postnatal care in a Primary Health care framework
• Cultural practices in the postnatal period
• Sociocultural history of breastfeeding
• Benefits of breastfeeding
• Supporting women who are breastfeeding including common challenges
• Supporting women who are not breastfeeding
• Common medications used in the postnatal period especially in relation to breastfeeding
• Newborn growth and development and nutritional requirements
• Newborn screening tests eg SWISH NBST
• Newborn needs including maternal/infant attachment
• Fertility and Family Planning
• Providing culturally safe maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in urban, rural and remote settings
• Working in partnership and concluding the professional relationship
• Family adaptation support services and networks including transition of care to Child and Family Health Services, the first 2000 days
• Safe sleeping
• Current controversial topics in the postnatal period