The Work of Birth (11334.1)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | On-Campus |
UC - Canberra, Bruce |
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.25 | 6 | Faculty Of Health |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Discipline Of Midwifery | Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit | Band 1 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 1 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
This unit is co-taught with 11310 The Work of Birth PG.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Analyse and understand midwifery and other theory applicable to women and their babies during and after labour;
2. Apply theories and research to their work with women in labour, during and immediately after birth;
3. Show abilities in forming and maintaining midwifery relationships with women across the spectrum of pregnancy, labour and birth and the early parenting time, using a woman-centred midwifery philosophy; and
4. Meet WIL requirements and satisfactorily document their experiences.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
Prerequisites
11333 With Woman With Child.Corequisites
Enrolment in HLB001 Bachelor of Midwifery.Incompatible units
11310 The Work of Birth PG.Equivalent units
7943 The Work of Birth.Assumed knowledge
None.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UC - Canberra, Bruce | Semester 2 | 31 July 2023 | On-Campus | Dr Marjorie Atchan |
| 2024 | UC - Canberra, Bruce | Semester 2 | 29 July 2024 | On-Campus | Dr Marjorie Atchan |
Required texts
Required Text:
Pairman S., Tracey, S., Dahlen, H. & Dixon, L. (Eds) (2019). Midwifery: Preparation for Practice 4e. (4th ed). Sydney: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
Recommended Texts:
Coad, J. Pedley, K., & Dunstall, M. (2020). Anatomy and physiology for midwives. (3rd ed.). St Louis: Mosby.
De Vitry Smith, S. & Bayes, S. (2022). Skills for midwifery practice (Australia and New Zealand ed.). Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier.
Fraser, D. M., & Cooper, M. A. (2012). Survival guide to midwifery e-book. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier. Available: https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au
Gray, J. & Smith, R. (2018). Midwifery Essentials (2nd ed.). Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier.
Gray, J., Smith, R. & Homer, C. (2018), Illustrated Dictionary of Midwifery (2nd ed.) Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier.
Marshall, J. E. & Raynor, M. D. (2020). Myles Textbook for Midwives e-book (17th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier. Available: https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au
Catling, C., & Raynor, M. (2017). Myles Survival guide to Midwifery (3rd ed.). Elsevier
Suggested Readings:
Allen, T., Eby, L., & Malden M. (Eds). (2010). The Blackwell handbook of mentoring: a multiple perspectives approach. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
Austin M., Highet N. & the Expert Working Group. (2017). Mental Health Care in the Perinatal Period: Australian Clinical Practice Guideline. Melbourne: Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE).
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (2010). The Australian Safety and Quality Framework for Health Care. Sydney: ACSQHC
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (2017). National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards User Guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. Sydney: ACSQHC.
Australian College of Midwives (ACM). (2014). National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation and Referral (3rd ed. Issue 2). Canberra: ACM.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022). Australia's mothers and babies 2019—in brief. Cat. no. PER 101. Canberra: AIHW.
Australian Midwifery Standards Assessment Tool (AMSAT) (2015). Available at: www.amsat.com.au
Bass, J., Fenwick, J. & Sidebotham, M. (2017). Development of a Model of Holistic Reflection to facilitate transformative learning in student midwives. Women and Birth. 30(3): 227-235
Bowden, J., & Manning, V. (Eds). (2017). Health promotion in midwifery: principles and practice. (3rd ed.). London: Hodder Arnold.
Bringedal, H., & Aune, I. (2019). Able to choose? Women's thoughts and experiences regarding informed choices during birth. Midwifery, 77, 123-129.
Byrom, S. & Downe, S. (Eds.). (2015). The roar behind the silence. Why kindness, compassion and respect matter in maternity care. UK: Pinter & Martin
Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM) (2017). The Nursing and Midwifery Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Curriculum Framework. Canberra: CATSINaM.
Crowther, S. & Hall, J. (Eds.) (2018). Spirituality and Childbirth. London: Routledge
Curl, M. (2019). Healthy Birth Practice #5: Avoid Giving Birth on Your Back and Follow Your Body's Urge to Push. The Journal of perinatal education, 28(2), 104-107.
Dalbye, R., Blix, E., Frøslie, K. F., Zhang, J., Eggebø, T. M., Olsen, I. C., . . . Bernitz, S. (2020). The Labour Progression Study (LaPS): Duration of labour following Zhang's guideline and the WHO partograph – A cluster randomised trial. Midwifery, 81, 102578.
Davies, L., Daellenbach, R. & Kensington, M. (Eds.) (2011). Sustainability, Midwifery and Birth. London: Routledge
Fahy, K., Foureur, M. & Hastie, C. (Eds.) (2008). Birth Territory and Midwifery Guardianship: theory for practice, education and research. Sydney: Elsevier.
Fraser, D. & Cooper, M. (2014). Myles textbook for midwives. (16th ed). Edinburgh, Scotland: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
Faulk, K. A., & Niemczyk, N. A. (2020). Key indicators influencing management of prolonged second stage labour by midwives in freestanding birth centres: Results from an ethnographic interview study. Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives.
Guilliland, K., & Pairman, S. (1995). The midwifery partnership: a model for practice. Wellington, N.Z: Dept. of Nursing and Midwifery, Victoria University of Wellington.
Hunter, M., Smythe, E., & Spence, D. (2018). Confidence: Fundamental to midwives providing labour care in freestanding midwifery-led units. Midwifery, 66, 176-181
International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). (2014). International Code of Ethics for Midwives. Available at: www.internationalmidwives.org
International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). (2017). International Definition of a Midwife. Available at: www.internationalmidwives.org
Jackson, M. K., Schmied, V., & Dahlen, H. G. (2020). Birthing outside the system: the motivation behind the choice to freebirth or have a homebirth with risk factors in Australia. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20(1), 254-213.
Jordan, S. (2010). Pharmacology for midwives: The evidence base for safe practice (2nd ed.) Basingstoke: Palgrave
Kirkham, M. (Eds) (2010). The Midwife-Mother Relationship (2nd ed). Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave MacMillan
Leap, N., & Hunter, B. (2016). Supporting women for labour and birth: a thoughtful guide. UK: Routledge
Maimburg, R. D., & De Vries, R. (2019). Coaching a slow birth with the woman in an empowered position may be less harmful than routine hands-on practice to protect against severe tears in birth - A discussion paper. Sexual & reproductive healthcare, 20, 38-41.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2016). Available at: www.nice.org.uk/guidance
Nursing and Midwifery Board Australia (NMBA). (2018). Code of conduct for midwives. Available at: www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au
Nursing and Midwifery Board Australia (NMBA). (2018). Midwife standards for practice. Available at: www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au
Palmer, G. (2016). Why the politics of breastfeeding matter. London: Pinter & Martin
Renfrew, M., McFadden, H., Bastos, H., Campbell, J., Channon, N., Cheung, N. Delage Silva, D., Downe, S., Kennedy, H., Malata, A., McCormick, F., Wick, L. & Declerq, E. (2014). Midwifery and quality care: findings from a new evidence-informed framework for maternal and newborn care. The Lancet, 384, 1129-1145
Richardson, L. & St. Pierre, E. (2017). Writing: A method of inquiry. In N. Denzin & Y. Lincoln (Eds). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research(5th ed). Thousand Oaks, US: SAGE Publications
Squire, C. (Ed.) (2017). The social context of birth. (3rd ed). New York: CRC Press
Staunton, P., & Chiarella, M. (2017). Law for nurses and midwives. (8th ed). Sydney, Australia: Elsevier.
Sweet, L., Bazargan, M., McKellar, L., Gray. J., & Henderson, A. (2017). Validation of the Australian Midwifery standards Assessment Tool (AMSAT): a tool to assess midwifery competence. Women and Birth. Retrieved 10/4/08 from: doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2017.06.017
Walsh, D. (2012). Evidence and Skills for Normal Labour and Birth. A guide for midwives. London, United Kingdom: Routledge
Verhoeven, C. J., Spence, D., Nyman, V., Otten, R. H. J., & Healy, M. (2019). How do midwives facilitate women to give birth during physiological second stage of labour?: A protocol for a systematic review. Systematic Reviews, 8(1).
Wickham, S. (2004). Sacred cycles: the spiral of women's well-being. London: Free Association Books.
There will also be other set and/or suggested readings associated with the weekly topics, provided through e-reserve as required. In addition, you are encouraged to access up to date information from appropriate midwifery journals such as:
- Birth
- Birth issues
- British Journal of Midwifery
- Evidenced Based Midwifery
- Health Care for Women International
- Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health
- Maternal and Child Nutrition
- Midwifery
- New Zealand College of Midwives Journal
- The Practicing Midwife
- Women and Birth
These and other journals are available through the UC Library and the ACT Health Library
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
Unlike other disciplines, the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) component of studying midwifery continues alongside the academic semester and this work can be complex, demanding and unpredictable. Therefore, students can use WIL as circumstances to apply for an extension to an assessment item due date using the assignment extension form available from the Student Forms page and the Canvas site. Unit convenors can use their discretion to approve an extension of up to one week on these grounds and may check and audit Daisy documentation as evidence to support the extension.
Students can also apply for an extension to the submission due date for an assessment item due to extenuating, evidenced circumstances (specific details are found in the Assessment Procedures). An extension must be applied for before the due date. Documentary evidence (e.g. medical certificate) will be expected for an extension to be granted, however this will not guarantee that the application will be successful. The Unit Convener or relevant Program Director/Course Convener will decide whether to grant an extension and the length of the extension.
Special assessment requirements
General guidelines for a written paper
- Presentation: The paper should be submitted in a word document, with 1.5 line spacing and a normal (2.5 cm) margin on all sides. Pages should be numbered. Font size should be 10 -12 and the Font style used must be clear and easily read.
- Structure: Academic writing style must be maintained throughout the assessments. There are many texts available about organising and presenting papers in the library and online.
- Clarity and Expression: Concepts should be discussed clearly and concisely. Assessments must demonstrate correct grammatical expression and spelling. Poor grammar obscures meaning. It is very useful to ask someone else to proof read your submission to eliminate errors.
- Referencing requirements: Students must use the APA 7 method of referencing throughout their assessments. The following useful resource on referencing is available at: http://www.canberra.edu.au/current-students/canberra-students/student-support/study-skills
Academic integrity
Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.
To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.
Use of Text-Matching Software
The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.
Late submission
Late submission of assignments without an approved extension will result in a penalty of 5% reduced marks from the total available, per calendar day late. An assignment submitted over 7 days late will not be accepted.
Approval of extensions based on extenuating circumstances will be dependent upon the production of supporting documentation and at the discretion of the unit convener.
Participation requirements
Attendance at classes is compulsory in this course, as per the Bachelor of Midwifery curriculum approved by the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (2014). Because we understand that students have multi-faceted lives, seminar absences in the period from the beginning of planned classes until the end of the semester, will be accepted. However, these absences are tolerated based on the expectation that students will seek out information on content and processes which they have missed. If students regularly miss timetabled seminars a 500-word synopsis about their learning on the topic/s of any missed sessions may be required to be submitted. It is your responsibility to inform the unit convener of your absences.
Required IT skills
Students are expected to use the online database DAISY-M. Please speak to the unit convener if you need assistance.
In-unit costs
You do not have to purchase texts for this unit but as busy students who are also involved in midwifery practice, you may find it most useful to do so. Texts recommended for the unit will be used throughout the Bachelor of Midwifery course.
Work placement, internships or practicums
Students are required to complete a student placement agreement form to undertake their practice-based work.
This form is available on DAISY.
Students are required to undertake a futher seven midwifery practice continuity of care experiences this semester. Students are to undertake a minimum of four antenatal visits and two postnatal visits for each woman and be on call for and attend the majority of women's labours.
At UC we have set the number of continuity of care experiences at 22 across the Bachelor of Midwifery course. At UC, we appreciate that there are variations between women and between experiences, so each continuity experience may differ slightly and although counted by UC as a continuity experience may not meet the ANMAC standards. In this semester, we expect a continuity experience to include a minimum of two of the three elements, with the three elements being antenatal care (three antenatal visits), labour and birth care and postnatal care (three postnatal visits). You are required to have at least 10 of your 22 continuity women meeting the ANMAC definition of a continuity experiences; however, this can be achieved over the entire degree.
All the midwifery practice you achieve this semester with your continuity work is included in your progress towards achieving midwifery competency and towards achieving the midwifery minimum practice requirements as set out by ANMAC (2014). All practical experiences are counted even though they may not add up to an entire continuity of care experience.
The successful completion of midwifery practice is a mandatory element of this unit and the assessment of the unit.
Additional information
Midwifery is a complex course because of both the theory and practice requirements, so please do not remain quiet if you are worried. The Course Convener, the Unit Convener, and your midwifery mentor are here to help you. We want you to become useful and connected midwives by learning in a supported environment, so please let us know if you feel very challenged. Most things can be sorted out quickly and easily if we know. We will also help with more complex issues.
Announcements made at seminars are deemed to be made to the whole group. Important announcements will be repeated on the unit website. Please check the ‘The Work of Birth' website at http://learnonline.canberra.edu.au/ for messages at least weekly.
The Midwifery Practice Room (10A2) is available for students to use when it is not in use for timetabled classes.
