Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

Midwifery is a highly-skilled profession, hence time and scope to advance practical skills and knowledge is paramount for developing safe and responsive midwives. This practice unit will allow for further development of midwifery skills and identity, whilst incorporating new knowledge and skill. Students will explore complications that can arise during, but are unrelated to, childbearing processes. Emphasis in the unit will be placed on developing physical health assessment skills for identifying and managing a range of medical and surgical conditions that may arise. In addition, pharmacological concepts will be applied in the management of such conditions.

Objectives

On completion of this subject, the student will be expected to:

1. Develop a sense of becoming a midwife with emerging confidence and competence;
2. Articulate attitudes, beliefs and values towards women and childbearing within a diverse cultural context;
3. Perform accurate physical health assessment skills with both pregnant and non-pregnant women;
4. Describe a range of medical and surgical conditions that may complicate childbearing;
5. Discuss the midwifery management for medical and surgical conditions that may arise during childbearing
6. Describe implications of pharmacological agents used in the management of medical conditions during childbirth;
7. Implement appropriate care for women experiencing variations from normal childbearing;
8. Critically reflect on self and practice as a midwife;