Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Institute / School: Institute of Health and Wellbeing

Unit Title: COMPLEX MIDWIFERY PRACTICE

Unit ID: MIDBM3106

Credit Points: 15.00

Prerequisite(s): (MIDBM2004)

Co-requisite(s): Nil

Exclusion(s): Nil

ASCED: 060303

Description of the Unit:

This practice unit will focus on students developing their knowledge and skills relating to obstacles and
emergencies that women may experience during pregnancy, labour and birth and the first weeks after birth.
Emphasis is given to the recognition of problems and the collaborative and referral role of the midwife whilst
maintaining a woman-centred focus. Midwifery and obstetric management of childbearing obstacles will be
explored. Students will develop their existing knowledge/skills by working with women and collaborating with
other
members of the healthcare team when problems arise during pregnancy, labour & birth and in the care of the
mother and baby in the first weeks after birth.

Grade Scheme: Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience:

Not wholly work experience: Student is not undertaking work experience in industry or student is undertaking
work experience in industry where learning and performance is directed by the provider.

Does Recognition of Prior Learning apply to this Unit? No

Placement Component: Yes

Supplementary Assessment: Yes

Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final
mark of 45 per cent or above and submitted all major assessment tasks.

CourseLevel:

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 Unit Outline (Higher Education)
MIDBM3106 COMPLEX MIDWIFERY PRACTICE

AQF Level of Course

Level of Unit in Course
5 6 7 8 9 10
Introductory
Intermediate
Advanced

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

K1. Identify conditions that contribute to complexity in pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum
K2. Examine specific medical and obstetric conditions that affect childbearing
K3. Explore pathophysiology of at-risk, complex pregnancy, labour and birth and its implications for
midwifery practice
K4. Identify factors that indicate potential for maternal and/or unborn baby life threatening emergencies
K5. Describe the management of a range of emergencies in pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period

Skills:

S1. Undertake comprehensive assessment of women and their babies during the childbearing process
S2. Employ skills in the management of emergencies in childbearing
S3. Utilise critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills to provide safe woman-centred care throughout the
childbirth continuum regardless of the complexity
S4. Demonstrate the ability to practice within a multidisciplinary team in an environment of complexity

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1. Utilise knowledge from the biosciences applicable to the woman experiencing a complex pregnancy and
childbirth
A2. Evaluate the implications of obstetric interventions for the woman, baby and for midwifery practice
A3. Apply clinical decision-making process to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the complex
care required by the woman, baby and the family
A4. Demonstrate midwifery competency based on the NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice

Unit Content:

The ANMAC National Accreditation Standards for the Midwife (2021); NMBA National Competency Standards for
the Midwife (2018); NMBA Code of Professional Conduct for the Midwife (2018) and International Code of Ethics
for the Midwife (2014) have substantially informed the syllabus/content of this unit.

Pregnancy and health screening methods

Assessment of fetal well-being and growth restriction, fetal surveillance and fetal compromise
Pregnancy complicated by a medical or surgical condition
Impact on pregnancy of pre-existing medical problems, and impact of pregnancy on pre-existing
conditions
Variations from normal in the first, second & third trimester of pregnancy
Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Diabetes, Infections in pregnancy,
Hypertensive conditions: gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, HELLP and DIC,
Thromboembolic disease in pregnancy, Liver disease in pregnancy
VBAC, 3rd and 4th degree perineal lacerations
Emergencies in labour, postpartum haemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, obstructed labour, ruptured uterus,
uterine inversion, cord prolapse, vasa praevia, amniotic fluid embolism

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 Unit Outline (Higher Education)
MIDBM3106 COMPLEX MIDWIFERY PRACTICE

Shock, collapse, deterioration, maternal resuscitation, MET calls, ISBAR

National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (2017) clinical care focussed on Standard
8 – Recognising and responding to acute deterioration
Postpartum challenges: physical and psychological, emotional wellbeing, sepsis, retained products
Breastfeeding challenges

Learning Task and Assessment:

Hurdle assessment tasks are excluded from supplementary assessment.

Learning
Outcomes Assessment Tasks Assessment Type Weighting
Assessed
Working in a multidisciplinary team with women
S3, S4, A2, A3 Written task 20-40%
and families experiencing unexpected outcomes.
Theoretical concepts and skills required for Test Part A – Objective
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, Part A: 10-30%
complicated pregnancy, labour, birth, postnatal Structured Clinical Test (OSCE)
S1, S2 Part B 40-60%
and care of the neonate. Part B – Written test
Midwifery Practice Portfolio 1.
Completion of five (5) Clinical
Satisfactory achievement of identified NMBA
Assessment Tools (CAT) to a
Midwife Standards for Practice in midwifery
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, ‘proficient’ level. 2. Completion
practice experiences.
S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, of 200 midwifery practice hours. 5-15%
Assessment of Midwifery Practice (Compulsory
A2, A3, A4 Submit completed AMSAT. 3.
PASS required).
Recruit a further three (3)
Continuity of Care experience.
women for continuity of care
experiences.
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, Successful completion of Objective Structured Objective Structured Clinical
S/U Hurdle
S1, S2 Clinical Test (OSCE) Test (OSCE)
Successful completion of Midwifery Practice
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, Portfolio 1. Completion of five (5) Clinical
S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, Assessment Tools (CAT) to a ‘proficient’ level. 2. Midwifery Practice Portfolio S/U Hurdle
A2, A3, A4 Completion of 200 midwifery practice hours.
Submit completed AMSAT.

Alignment to the Minimum Co-Operative Standards (MiCS)

The Minimum Co-Operative Standards (MiCS) are an integral part of the Co-Operative University Model. Seven
criteria inform the MiCS alignment at a Course level. Although Units must undertake MiCS mapping, there is NO
expectation that Units will meet all seven criteria. The criteria are as follows:

1. Co-design with industry and students

2. Co-develop with industry and students
3. Co-deliver with industry
4. FedTASK alignment
5. Workplace learning and career preparation
6. Authentic assessment
7. Industry-link/Industry facing experience

MiCS Course level reporting highlights how each Course embraces the principles and practices associated with
the Co-Operative Model. Evidence of Course alignment with the MiCS, can be captured in the Course
Modification Form.

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 Unit Outline (Higher Education)
MIDBM3106 COMPLEX MIDWIFERY PRACTICE

MICS Mapping has been undertaken for this Unit Yes

Date: May 26, 2023

Adopted Reference Style:

APA

Refer to the library website for more information

Fed Cite - referencing tool

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