Midwifery as a Profession

This unit addresses the need for students to understand what it means to be a midwife by exploring a range of contextual and professional issues, underpinned by the foundation of woman-centred practice. Students will explore the role of the midwife in providing care for women from diverse and vulnerable backgrounds and in varied practice settings. The midwifery scope of practice will be explored in detail, underpinned by the professional codes, standards and legislative frameworks. To gain an understanding of the midwifery profession, students will review the historical development of midwifery in Australia and globally, and use this foundation to explore the future of the midwifery profession and maternity services reform.

The ANMAC Midwife Accreditation Standards (2021); NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice (2018); NMBA Code of Conduct for Midwives (2018); Code of Ethics for Midwives (2014); NMBA Decision-making framework for nursing and midwifery (2020); NMBA Decision-making framework summary - midwifery (2020); National Digital Health Strategy (2021); and National Safety and Quality Health Services Standards (2019) have substantially informed the syllabus/content of this unit. Modules Midwifery theory 1. Midwifery history Historical and cultural influences on the midwifery profession in Australia  and abroad  Discussion and critique of maternity services and the place of midwifery as a key provider of services The politics of maternity services provision  Philosophy of care 2. Professional and legislative frameworks NSQHS Clinical Governance Standard Professional codes and guidelines  Regulatory authorities  Roles and functions of professional and legislative authorities  The role of consumer groups  Advocacy in midwifery practice  Collaborative care involving other disciplines - Consultation and referral  Boundaries of care  Working in collaboration Reflective practice Health funding 3. The Art of Contemporary Midwifery Relationships and establishing partnerships  NSQHS communication for safety standard Communication and conducting sensitive conversations Midwife as primary carer  Role of the midwife in antenatal screening, assessment and education (e.g. oral health, STI, genetic screening, childbirth education) Critical thinking, problem solving and clinical decision making in midwifery  Midwifery scope of practice in contemporary maternity care Extending the midwifery scope of practice Eligible midwife status  The development of the maternity services - models of care Issues facing Australian maternity services Maternity service reform Locations of midwifery care - regional, local, national and international interdisciplinary practice settings 4. Legal and ethical issues in midwifery Legal and ethical issues in midwifery  The place of advocacy in maternity care  Collaboration  Consultation and referral  Documentation and reporting – midwifery health informatics  Evaluating risk 5. Vulnerable families  NSQHS Comprehensive Care Standard  NSQHS Partnering with consumers standard  Working with women and families from marginalized groups including: LGBTQ+ and non-binary gender identity families Women who have experienced trauma or abuse  Refugee families Families experiencing substance abuse and misuse 6. Perinatal and infant mental health  Transition and adjustment to parenting Mental health disorgers in the perinatal period Psychosocial screening and assessment Principles and processes for referral and treatment Working with women who have experienced traumatic birth