MIDI6220Women with postnatal complexities and/or unwell babies

Course handbook

Description

In this course students increase their specialist knowledge of midwifery, learning to safely care for women and/or their babies experiencing complexity after giving birth. Using midwifery, physiological, medical, pharmacological, neurophysiological, and sociological theory, students critically examine the health needs of women who are unwell or vulnerable, and/or who have a compromised baby, in the postnatal period. Recognising and responding to deteriorations in condition, through careful and regular assessment and care, and instigating appropriate escalation, is interpreted for the postnatal period.

Availability2024 Course Timetables

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. critically analyse, from a midwifery perspective, research concerning mothering and being a family in complex situations

2. critically appraise evidence for midwifery, medical and allied health care for best outcomes for postnatal women and babies with challenges to their mental health

3. critique midwifery interventions used to assist women and their babies with their lactation and breast/complementary feeding in complex situations

4. demonstrate high level knowledge of safety in neonatal medication administration

5. accurately interpret diagnostic testing/screening results in the context of complex postnatal health needs

6. identify potential health needs for postnatal women and babies from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and women with specific ethnic and other diverse needs

Content

Module 1: Support

• A woman-centred, rights-based approach to care for postnatal women and their babies in complexity
• Psychosocial postnatal support for women:
  • who are ill or at risk of physical and/or mental illness
  • with a baby who is ill or at risk of illness or injury
  • when their baby needs complex newborn care
• Support for partners and families in complexity  

Module 2: Care of the postnatal woman: 

• Physical assessment and care of unwell women: pain relief, skin care, wound care, fluid balance, nutrition, hygiene, continence and comfort
• Recognising/responding to a deteriorating health condition
• Lactation/breastfeeding support
• Secondary postpartum haemorrhage
• Pharmacology in the complex postnatal time

Module 3: Care of the baby

• The first four hours
• The antenatal environment and the impact of labour and birth
• Challenges transitioning to extrauterine life
• Seeking help from, and collaborating with, the multidisciplinary team
• Immediate care of the baby with complex needs
• Skin-to-skin and the first breast feed
• Birth injuries  

Module 4: The First Week, and Ongoing

• Recognising/responding to deterioration
• Noticing physiological deviations before significant changes in care are required or harm occurs
• Ensuring a timely and accurate response encompassing all necessary support and treatment from appropriate members of the healthcare team
• Infant feeding: breastfeeding, complementary feeds for complex babies
• Newborn babies needing complex care, including those with:
  • respiratory disorders
  • jaundice
  • a mother with diabetes
  • drug withdrawal
  • neonatal infections
  • cardiovascular disease
  • genetic disorders and errors of inborn metabolism
  • disorders of other body systems  

Module 5: Accompanying issues  

• The impact of illness in the postnatal time on the first 2000 days of life
• Mother/baby attachment
• Grief and loss: Women, partners, families, support people and midwifery
• Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their babies
• Working with women with specific ethnic and other diverse needs
• Community resources and services available after discharge
• Legal and ethical issues: Competence; protecting children; work, health and safety
• Overview of quality improvement/research approaches for safe care

Requisite

Students must be enrolled in the Master of Midwifery (Graduate Entry) [40313] or be active in the Graduate Certificate in Midwifery (Re-Entry to practice) program [40314] to enrol in this course.

Assumed knowledge

Students in the Master of Midwifery (Graduate Entry) program should have successfully completed MIDI6210 and MIDI6211.

Assessment items

Written Assignment: Scenario Learning Package Part A
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

Written Assignment: Scenario learning package Part B
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

Written Assignment: Scenario learning package
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

Online Learning Activity: Constructive Replies': Online postnatal discussions
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

Contact hours

Semester 2 - 2024 - Online

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.