The Work of Birth (11334.1)

Please note these are the 2023 details for this unit
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The Work of Birth
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods
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)
Using a woman centred primary health care approach, this unit will prepare students theoretically and practically to be 'with woman' during a woman's labour and the birth of her baby. Based on a view of childbearing as a normal life event, students will use midwifery and other theory to build a strong basis on which to form continuity relationships with women.

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. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology


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
Not available

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:

There will be 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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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

Please note: Artificail Intelligence Services are not to be used for assessment preperation in this unit.

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: 

 

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø students have to complete the annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

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-M.

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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø we have set the number of continuity of care experiences at 22 across the Bachelor of Midwifery course. At ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, we appreciate that there are variations between women and between experiences, so each continuity experience may differ slightly and although counted by ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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' canvas site 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.