NS2004 - Challenges to the Pregnancy Continuum

Credit points:	03
Year:	2014
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	School of Nursing, Midwifery & Nutrition (pre 2015)

The focus of this subject is to provide students with the knowledge and ability to provide safe, woman centred midwifery care to women experiencing a clinical challenge in their pregnancy. In this subject challenge is defined as an event occurring during a woman's pregnancy, labour, birth or during the postnatal period which, with appropriate interventions, can restore the woman's health to a state of wellness. This subject is structured around a framework of 'genuine caring' (Berg 2005) and the use of Page's five steps for midwifery practice. Students are also introduced to the interventions needed to prevent and/or manage common maternal complications and emergencies as well as the support required particularly for women located in northern Australia. Students are provided a safe simulated environment and supported clinical placement to prepare for, recognise and address the onset of emergent pathological conditions. The subject will address the impact a maternity challenge can have on the woman and her family and provide strategies midwifery practice can implement to minimise that impact. Students continue with their 'Continuity of Care' experiences.

Learning Outcomes

• (1) Using the model of 'genuine caring', demonstrate the ability to provide midwifery care for women who develop emergent complications during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period; (2) Provide care consistent with the philosophy, ethics and NMBA (2006) Competency Standards for Midwifery;
• (3) Explore the ways in which midwives continue to work in partnership with women to keep labour, birth and recovery culturally, spiritually, emotionally and physically safe when these phases do not proceed as planned; (4) Demonstrate beginning skills in assessing and prioritising appropriate actions in emergency maternity situations including emergency transport, and maternal and neonatal resuscitation;
• (5) Critique the midwife's sphere of practice when caring for women experiencing complications as documented in the NMBA (2006) Competency Standards for Midwifery; (6) Critique contemporary research in relation to providing value based care in line with clinical governance and root cause analysis, to women experiencing a challenge to the childbearing continuum;
• (7) Explain the issues presented to women and their families who reside in northern Australia when facing a challenge to their pregnancy, labour, birth or postnatal period; (8) Explain the impact of challenges to the pregnancy continuum on the woman and her family;
• (9) Complete the 'Continuity of Care' for six (6) women recruited as participants, and (10) Develop professional midwifery practice using reflection and self-awareness in their professional portfolio and Midwifery Clinical Competency booklet when caring for the birthing woman and her family.

Prerequisites:

NS2003 AND NS2022 AND NS2015 AND PP2131

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 28-Aug-2014
Coordinator:	Ms Rosalind Lock
Lecturer:	Ms Karyn Bentley.
Contact hours:	20 hours lectures 20 hours tutorials 30 hours practicals 160 hours professional experience
Assessment:	(20%); assignments (30%); centrally-administered final exam (50%).
Restrictions:	An enrolment quota applies to this offering.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.