POSTNATAL CARE OF THE NEW FAMILY

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Overview

Students will focus on caring for the mother and baby after childbirth. This will include a variety of normal and complex physiological and psychological adaptations occurring for new mothers during the first 28 days following the birth. The subject will also focus on the normal newborn, and will include some consideration of newborns with more complex issues such as borderline prematurity; pain management; and hypoglycaemia. Students will learn about the role of the midwife in providing postnatal care, including infant feeding, promotion and establishment of breastfeeding and the provision of information, choices and support to empower the woman and her family during this period. Issues relating to parents who lose their baby will also be examined and students will build on their interpersonal skills when examining concepts of attachment, grief and loss. Reflective, evidence-informed practice, clinical decision making skills and a professional attitude will be used and developed.

Portfolio

Office of the Provost

School

Subject coordinator

Charlie Smithson

Subject type

Undergraduate

Year level

Year Level 2 - UG

AQF level

Level 6 - Advanced Diploma

Available as elective

Available to study abroad / exchange students

Capstone subject
Capstones provide students with a way of integrating and applying knowledge and skills gained throughout their course.

Academic progress review - Schedule A subject

Yes

Subject instances

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Learning resources

Prescribed - Book - Myles Textbook for Midwives

Recommended - Book - Essential Midwifery Practice: Postnatal Care

Career ready

Career focused:This subject contains career development learning or professional engagement opportunities

Work based learning (placement):Yes

Self sourced or Uni sourced placement:Uni sourced

Entire subject or partial subject:Partial subject

Total hours/days required:

160 hours

Location of work based learning:Metro, Regional

Graduate capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing

DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Ethical and Social Responsibility

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Leadership and Teamwork

Subject intended learning outcomes

On successful completion you will be able to:

Apply knowledge of the physiology of the puerperium to perform a comprehensive assessment, and provide safe and effective midwifery care to the woman during the postnatal period according to the scope of practice of the midwife.

Apply knowledge of the physiology of the newborn to perform a comprehensive assessment, and provide safe and effective midwifery care to the newborn baby during the postnatal period according to the scope of practice of the midwife

Provide contemporary best practice information, assistance and advice to the woman on nutrition needs and feeding of her infant

Apply best practice evidence to support and educate mothers and families during the postnatal period

Requisite rules

Prerequisites: Students must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: HZNMD or HZNMDB and must have passed: MID2CLB

Handbook