| Effective Term: | 2025/08 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Introduction to Midwifery |
| Unit ID: | MIDBM1001 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 060303 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit will provide the foundation knowledge required by midwifery students to effectively care for women during preconception through to early parenting. The focus will be on anatomy and physiology of childbearing, embryonic and fetal development, hormonal adaptations, and the physiology of lactation. The role of the midwife as a primary carer will be explored in relation to: the preparation of women for pregnancy; physiological and psychological adaptation of women during pregnancy and birth, and the first weeks after birth; and care of women and their babies during this continuum. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: No |
| 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, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | |  | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Outline the role of the midwife in assessment of fetal and maternal well-being in pregnancy, labour, birth and the puerperium |
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| K2. | Describe the anatomy and physiology of the female and male reproductive systems |
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| K3. | List key events in the continuum of embryonic and fetal development including the adaptation of the baby at birth |
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| K4. | Describe the anatomical, physiological and hormonal changes and processes that occur in the woman's body during pregnancy, labour, birth and the puerperium |
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| K5. | Detail the anatomy of the breast and physiology of lactation |
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| K6. | Discuss the routine screening and basic diagnostic tests in pregnancy assessment |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Identify anatomical structures of reproduction |
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| S2. | Describe the physiology of childbearing |
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| S3. | Interpret expected hormonal changes across the childbearing continuum |
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| S4. | Assess fetal growth and development throughout pregnancy |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Demonstrate the mechanism of labour and birth |
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| A2. | Critique the role of the midwife in caring for women during the childbearing continuum |
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| A3. | Display developing skills in the appraisal and use of evidence to inform clinical practice |
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| 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. Focus on well women’s experiences of pregnancy–recognition, response and changes Midwifery role – pre pregnancy, through pregnancy and the first weeks after birth Anatomy and physiology of reproduction Placenta, membranes and amniotic fluid, identification and functions Sex/gender, reproductive organs. Hormonal changes across childbearing continuum Fertility/infertility, Conception, embryonic and fetal developmental, fetal growth Identification of anatomical structures and physiology of childbearing; Maternal pelvis, pelvic floor, fetal skull and circulation, adaptation to pregnancy Assessing maternal and fetal wellbeing during labour and birth The newborn baby, Physiology of breasts and lactation Transition to parenting |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, S3, S4, A2, A3 | Theoretical concepts of normal pregnancy, anatomy & physiology of childbearing conception fetal development. Adaptation of pregnancy, labour, birth, postnatal, lactation and care of the neonate. | Online Activities | 40-60% | | 2. | K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A3 | Theoretical concepts of normal pregnancy, anatomy & physiology of childbearing conception fetal development. Adaptation of pregnancy, labour, birth, postnatal, lactation and care of the neonate. | Written Test | 40-60% |
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