Overview
This unit will build on your knowledge acquired throughout the course and demonstrate higher-level learning to identify complex factors that may present during the childbearing continuum. This unit will provide the theory to understand the complex factors that may impact on the childbearing continuum and the care required utilising the Australian College of Midwives 'National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation and Referral'.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Co-requisite: MDWF12004 Critical Inquiry and Midwifery Practice
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Verbal feedback during a clinical site visit.
Emails from teaching staff reminding students about assessments and encouraging engagement with unit resources can sometimes feel overwhelming and discouraging. When you're focused on completing one assessment and another is already approaching, it can add to stress levels.
Staff have been encouraged to monitor student engagement through CQUniversity Success and reach out to students who have not engaged with the unit materials over several weeks. Although friendly and supportive language was used in line with recommendations from CQUniversity staff workshops, future emails will be reviewed to ensure they are not too frequent, the tone remains encouraging and the focus is on offering solutions for students who may be facing challenges.
Feedback from Verbal feedback during a clinical site visit.
It is difficult to know how to use generative AI tools such as Chat GPT in the course and for assessments and whether we are breaching academic integrity by doing this.
Information is available for students on the Moodle site and in the assessment rubrics, aligned with the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Sciences guidelines. However, due to the rapidly evolving nature of this environment, it is acknowledged that understanding how to use these tools appropriately can be confusing. To address this, students will attend a workshop at residential schools with the Academic Learning Centre staff to provide further guidance on using generative AI tools for assessments and avoiding breaches of academic integrity. This also facilitates equity across the student cohort when utilising gen AI tools.
- Interpret the complex factors that may present during the childbearing continuum and their impact on the woman, neonate and family
- Analyse the care required for a woman experiencing complexity within the childbearing continuum
- Apply the Australian College of Midwives 'National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation and Referral' to the management of maternity care.
The proposed changes to learning outcomes and the unit will meet the following:
The draft ANMAC Midwifery Education Standards (2020).
Standard 1: Safety of the public.
Standard 3: Program of study.
Standard 5: Student assessment.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Midwife Standards for Practice (2018).
Standard 1: Promotes evidence-based maternal health and wellbeing.
Standard 2: Engages in respectful partnerships and professional relationships.
Standard 3: Demonstrates the capability and accountability for midwifery practice.
Standard 4: Undertakes comprehensive assessments
Standard 5: develops a plan for midwifery practice.
Standard 6: Provides safe and quality midwifery practice.
Standard 7: Evaluates outcomes to improve midwifery practice.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Code of Conduct for Midwives.
Principle 1. Legal compliance.
Principle 2. Woman-centred practice.
Principle 3. Cultural practice and respectful relationships.
Principle 4. Professional Behaviour.
Principle 7. Health and wellbeing.
The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) International Code of Ethics for Midwives (2014).
1. Midwifery Relationships.
2. Practice of Midwifery.
3. The Professional Responsibilities of Midwives.
4. Advancement of Midwifery Knowledge and Practice.
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (2017).
Clinical Governance Standard.
Partnering with Consumers Standard.
Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infection Standard.
Medication Safety Standard.
Comprehensive Care Standard.
Communicating for Safety Standard.
Blood management Standard.
Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standard.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||
| 2 - Oral Examination - 50% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Oral Examination - 50% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
MYLES TEXTBOOK FOR MIDWIVES
- Edition: 17th (2020)
- Authors: Marshall, Jayne & Raynor, Maureen
- Elsevier Australia
- ISBN: 9780702076428
Electronic copy not available through the CQUniversity library
Electronic copy not available through the CQUniversity library
Midwifery: Preparation for Practice
- 5th edition (2022)
- Authors: Pairman, Sally, Tracy, Sally K, Dahlen, Hannah and Dixon, Lesley
- Elsevier Australia
- ISBN: 9780729544764
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Academic Learning Centre services
- CQUniversity library literature search tools
- Microsoft Word
- Computer- ability to access study materials, including instructional videos & upload assessment. Printer for printing assessment. Scanner or equivalent for uploading assessment.
- Endnote bibliographic software. This is optional for formatting references.
- Zoom access: microphone and webcam required
- CQUniversity Library search engines for research articles
- Australian Standards (through CQU library)
- CQUniversity Library Midwifery Resources
- Endnote bibliographic software. This is optional for formatting references
- Wordprocessing, spreadsheeting and powerpoint
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
k.a.haynes@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Risk Assessment and Complex Antenatal Care:
- Assessing risk in pregnancy - Overview of maternal deaths (AIHW stats, regional)
- Early pregnancy: Bleeding and Hyperemesis
- Obesity
- Cardiac disease
Chapter
Review the Moodle site and click on all the links.
Find out what is in Student Support?
Find out how to find the Library?
Click on the link and learn what is in the Academic Learning Centre.
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Introduction and orientation recorded lecture (in Introduction tile in Moodle).
Week 1 study guide and lecture in Moodle (week 1 Moodle tile).
Activity: Access the week 1 study guide and complete the activities provided.
Assessments: Review assessment tasks and make a study plan
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program: Complete your annual program.
Announcements and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Module One: Complex Antenatal Care
- Gestational Diabetes
- Anaemia
- Haemoglobinopathies
- Rh and ABO Incompatibility
- Isoimmunisation
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2 study guide and lecture in Moodle (week 2 Moodle tile).
Activity: Access the week 2 study guide and complete the activities provided.
Assessment 1 – Start your literature searching and preparing assessment.
Assessment 2 – Attend Zoom session preparing for oral examination (details in week 2 and assessment 2 Moodle tiles).
Assessment 2 - Begin to prepare your revision notes for each topic/ for the oral examination, held in Exam week.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Module One: Complex Antenatal Care
- Hypertension and Pre- Eclampsia
- Pulmonary Diseases
- Obstetric Cholestasis
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3 study guide and lecture in Moodle (week 3 Moodle tile).
Activity: Access the week 3 study guide and complete the activities provided.
Census Date is next week. If you are struggling, please contact your Unit Coordinator for help.
Assessment 1 - Attend Zoom meeting to support your preparation (details on week 3 and assessment tiles in Moodle).
Assessment 1 – Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Module One: Complex Antenatal Care
- Antepartum Haemorrhage: Placenta Praevia and Placental Abruption
- Preterm Labour and PPROM/Incompetent Cervix
- Polyhydramnios / Oligohydramnios
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4 study guide and lecture in Moodle (week 4 Moodle tile).
Activity: Access the week 4 study guide and complete the activities provided.
Census Date – Tuesday Week 4.
Assessment 1 – Continue writing and preparing for your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Module Two: Complex Intrapartum Care
- Reduced Fetal Movements, IUGR/SGA
- Postdates Pregnancy
- Safer Baby Bundle
- Induction of Labour, Epidural
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5 study guide and lecture in Moodle (week 5 Moodle tile).
Activity: Access the week 5 study guide and complete the activities provided.
Assessment 1 – Check the originality of your assessment through Turnitin and make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 6
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Module Two: Complex Intrapartum Care
- Dystocia of Labour
- Malposition / CPD
- Obstructed Labour
- CTG
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6 study guide and lecture in Moodle (week 6 Moodle tile).
Activity: Access the week 6 study guide and complete the activities provided.
Assessment 1 – Submit your assessment by the due date provided.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Written Assessment Due: Week 6 Wednesday (19 Aug 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Please use this mid-term break as an opportunity to rest and recover. Enjoy your break!
Events and Submissions/Topic
No timetabled learning activities. Please use this week to progress your assessments.
Please continue to attend clinical placement for Midwifery Practice 2.
Week 7
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Module Two: Complex Intrapartum Care
- VBAC
- Assisted Birth / FBS
- Episiotomy
- Cord Blood Sampling
- Caesarean Section
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7 study guide and lecture in Moodle (week 7 Moodle tile)
Activity: Access the week 7 study guide and complete the activities provided.
Assessment 2 - Continue to prepare your revision notes for each topic for the oral examination.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 8
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Module Two: Complex Intrapartum Care
- Malpresentation ECV/Breech Birth
- Shoulder Dystocia
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8 study guide and lecture in Moodle (week 8 Moodle tile).
Activity: Access the week 8 study guide and complete the activities provided.
Assessment 2 - Continue to prepare your revision notes for each topic for oral examination.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 9
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Module Two: Complex Intrapartum Care
- Cord Prolapse
- Postpartum Haemorrhage
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9 study guide and lecture in Moodle (week 9 Moodle tile).
Activity: Access the week 9 study guide and complete the activities provided.
Assessment 2 - Continue to prepare your revision notes for each topic for oral examination.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 10
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Module Three: Complex Postpartum and Neonatal Care
- Neonatal Resuscitation
- The Pre-Term Infant
- The GDM Infant
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10 study guide and lecture in Moodle (week 10 Moodle tile).
Activity: Access the week 10 study guide and complete the activities provided.
Assessment 2 – Attend Zoom session preparing for oral examination (details in week 2 and assessment 2 Moodle tiles).
Assessment 2 - Continue to prepare your revision notes for each topic for the oral examination.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Don’t forget - Check your unit enrolments for next term.
Week 11
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Module Three: Complex Postpartum and Neonatal Care
- Neonatal Stabilisation and Referral
- Respiratory Distress / Meconium Aspiration
- Neonatal Hypoglycaemia
- Neonatal Hyperbilirubinanaemia and Hypothermia
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11 study guide and lecture in Moodle (week 11 Moodle tile).
Activity: Access the week 11 study guide and complete the activities provided.
Assessment 2 - Continue to prepare your revision notes for each topic for the oral examination.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experiences in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades.
Week 12
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Module Three: Complex Postpartum and Neonatal Care
- The Low Birth Weight Infant
- Hypotonia
- Congenital Abnormalities
- Neonatal Infections
- Neonatal Bleeding
- Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
- Neonatal Alcohol Syndrome
- Vaccination and Immunisation
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12 study guide in Moodle (week 12 Moodle tile). No lecture this week.
Activity: Access the week 12 study guide and complete the activities provided.
Assessment 2 - Finalise your revision for oral examination.
Assessment 2 - Check exam date and time and your access/sound on Zoom.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – Please complete the unit evaluation survey.
Congratulations on completing this unit. Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Oral examination.
Please ensure you are aware of the date and time and that you attend 15 minutes before to ensure you can access Zoom.
Please bring:
- student ID card
- written study notes.
Please do not bring electronic devices apart from the laptop or computer for the examination. Phones, tablets should not be accessible.
Good luck.
Oral Examination Due: Exam Week Monday (12 Oct 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Nil.
Chapter
Nil.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Nil.
As this unit is offered online students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator/s. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice a week – there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term and reviewing this information is essential to unit knowledge and your success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies.
1 Written Assessment
You will write an individual written assessment analysing a case study to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the complexities that may arise for both the woman and fetus/neonate throughout the childbearing continuum. You will utilise the Australian College of Midwives National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation and Referral and other relevant evidence associated with providing woman-centred midwifery care to support your discussion.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators. CQUniversity's Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity, and Grammarly. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Level of GenAI Use Allowed: Level 2: You may use AI for planning, idea development, editing, and proofreading. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Extensions
Extensions are available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
- You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
- In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 6 Wednesday (19 Aug 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Please upload your assessment to the Moodle unit assessment upload zone by the due date.
Week 8 Wednesday (9 Sept 2026)
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Interpret the complex factors that may present during the childbearing continuum and their impact on the woman, neonate and family
- Analyse the care required for a woman experiencing complexity within the childbearing continuum
- Apply the Australian College of Midwives 'National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation and Referral' to the management of maternity care.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Social Innovation
2 Oral Examination
You will demonstrate and apply your understanding of the complications encountered throughout the perinatal period, and their potential impact on both the mother and fetus/neonate. You will demonstrate your ability to integrate evidence and adhere to clinical guidelines to propose strategies for managing complex factors across the childbearing continuum, thereby ensuring the provision of high-quality, safe and effective care.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is not permitted as per Level 1 (No AI) in the AI Assessment scale tool indicators.
Level of GenAI Use Allowed: Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during this assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Extensions
Extensions are available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
- You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
- In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Exam Week Monday (12 Oct 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Assessments to take place throughout exam week: Monday 12 - Friday 16 October 2026. Students will be allocated individual timeslots and sent a Zoom invite via email.
Oral exam results will be available on Wednesday 28th October 2026
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Interpret the complex factors that may present during the childbearing continuum and their impact on the woman, neonate and family
- Analyse the care required for a woman experiencing complexity within the childbearing continuum
- Apply the Australian College of Midwives 'National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation and Referral' to the management of maternity care.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
- Social Innovation
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
