NURS 7085 Complex Midwifery Theory and Practice - Commencing in 2026

Credit Points 10

Coordinator Farnoosh Asghar Vahedi Opens in new window

Description This subject focuses on complex maternal and neonatal conditions occurring during pregnancy, labour, birth, and the postnatal period. Students will gain knowledge of potential complications affecting both woman and infant, with a strong emphasis on biological and physiological factors. The subject also addresses infertility, reproductive technologies, and contemporary maternal health issues. Through a combination of theoretical learning and Midwifery Practice Experience (MPE), students develop their skills in assessing and managing obstetric emergencies, collaborating with healthcare teams, and ensuring safe transfers for women and newborns. 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.

School Nursing & Midwifery

Discipline Midwifery

Student Contribution Band

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Pre-requisite(s) NURS 7083 AND
NURS 7084

Co-requisite(s) NURS 7086 AND
NURS 7087

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 4805 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

After successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:

  1. Critically reflect and discuss legal and ethical aspects and responsibilities of the midwife which affect midwifery and/or maternity care including collaborative health care relationships between midwives and others in complex situations. 
  2. Explore and identify risk factors and instigate measures to minimise adverse outcomes for women with pre-existing conditions and their newborns. 
  3. Critically analyse care for women experiencing unanticipated pregnancy outcomes. 
  4. Critically evaluate midwifery care to reduce morbidity and mortality rates for women with an emphasis on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and CALD women. 
  5. Demonstrate midwifery skills for the assessment and care for women and neonates with complex needs. 
  6. Identify and appropriately manage emerging and escalating situations that may require referral or additional care including the referral processes and collaborative care arrangements. 
  7. Implement appropriate midwifery management during emergency situations. 
  8. Demonstrate professional requirements for midwifery practice, including safe midwifery standards.

Subject Content

  1. Infertility
    • Assisting the woman and her family in relation to infertility
  2. Maternal complexities during pregnancy, labour and birth
    • Complications in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy (including miscarriages, ectopic pregnancy, hyperemesis )
    • Midwifery care of women experiencing second and third trimester termination of pregnancy
    • Hypertensive disorders across the perinatal period
    • Maternal infections and infectious diseases e.g. TORCH, GBS, Hep B, HIV
    • Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes
    • Cholestasis of pregnancy
    • Antiphospholipid syndrome
    • Gestational growth issues
    • Pre-term labour and birth
  3. Maternal complexities in the postnatal period
    • Postnatal complications e.g. urinary retention, haematoma, infections (other infections)
  4. Perineal trauma
    • Caring for the newborn in complex situations
    • Premature infants
    • Neonatal jaundice
  5. Working in partnership with women with complex pregnancies
  6. Women with previous medical and surgical conditions that may impact on pregnancy and birth
    • Pre-existing medical conditions e.g. cardiac, respiratory, endocrine, neurological, autoimmune diseases, thyroid disease, gynaecological issues, neoplasia
    • Impacts of obesity across the perinatal period
    • Female genital mutilation
    • Midwifery terms and acronyms
  7. Skills
    • 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
    • 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
  8. Escalating complexities
    • Warning flags
    • Midwifery actions
    • Midwives responses
    • Communication
    • Documentation
  9. 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 

Structures that include subject