MIDW1101/MIDW2102 Intro to Midwifery Practice/Health Complexities in Pregnancy (St Lucia)

MIDW1101 introduces students to the theory and practice of safe, contemporary woman-centred midwifery practice. A broad overview of each of the stages of pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal care will be discussed with consideration of the core technical components required for a beginning level of midwifery practice. MIDW2102 provides students with an overview of some of the complexities women have in pregnancy. Some women experience complications and/or have existing medical conditions that will require specialist obstetric and multidisciplinary care. during pregnancy, labour and birth and in the postpartum period. Midwives play a pivotal role in the care process not only in delivering the necessary care but also in providing continuity and support and interfacing either directly or indirectly with all members of the multidisciplinary team. Students practice skills of monitoring, assessing and caring for mother and baby in Clincial Simulation Workshops, engage in group based learning in Inquiry Based Learning Workshops, complete independent study online and attend a series of lectures for both of these courses.

Susannah has experience in making quality contributions to teaching, learning and student engagement within the midwifery programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has served in leadership roles as Program Coordinator and Program Director, and in this, her key achievements are:

• Curriculum development and introduction of the inaugural Bachelor of Midwifery in Queensland

• Development of the transition to midwifery practice courses which allow students to transfer between the undergraduate degree programs

• Contribution to the development of courses in the Masters of Midwifery program which will assist in preparing midwives for eligibility status.

The quality of Susannah’s teaching and scholarly activity within the school was recognised when she received a “high commendation” for teaching excellence as an individual, and a “citation” for outstanding contribution to student learning for her role in the team of midwives who developed the content for the Masters of Midwifery Degree. Susannah has over 10 years teaching in the PBL format in all year levels of the bachelor of Midwifery Program. She is also known for her engaging midwifery lectures, where she uses storytelling from her own clinical practice experiences to illustrate key points for students.