Program Overview

MID446 Pharmacology for Midwives

This subject builds on undergraduate pharmacology knowledge extending it to the midwifery context. The content will help students to develop their understanding of the cellular mechanisms and physiological outcomes of drug actions and interactions on the woman and neonate during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period. Changes in pharmacokinetic parameters, together with pharmacodynamics, will also be explored with a focus on their influence on dosing and drug administration. In addition to prescribed and over the counter medications, this subject will consider complementary therapies as well as the impact of smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use on the woman and neonate during pregnancy and postpartum periods. Legal and ethical pharmacology issues will also be explored.

Subject Outlines

Current subject outlines are available for recent sessions. Please note that subject outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

Availability

• Session 2 (60)
• Online
• Wagga Wagga Campus Continuing students should consult the relevant resources for current offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

• HD/FL

Duration

• One session

School

• School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health

Enrolment Restrictions

• Graduate Diploma of Midwifery

Assumed Knowledge

• Undergraduate nursing pharmacology

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics associated with midwifery practice including the impact of medications, alcohol, tobacco (first and second hand) and illicit drugs on the mother, the newborn, the fetus/placental transfers and the legal and ethical responsibilities.
• be able to apply numeracy skills for drug calculations/administration and critically appraise a pharmacological regime for a patient during the maternal period.
• be able to critically analyse how medications affect the physiological, biochemical and pathophysiological processes during pregnancy, birth and postnatal period incorporating knowledge of pharmacokinetics.
• be able to explain and apply the legal and ethical principles of medication management as it relates to midwifery.
• be able to understand the role of complementary therapies in midwifery practice.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• Module 1: Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics - Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs, and pharmacodynamics, in antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care
• Module 2: Physiological changes during antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal that can impact on drug effectiveness
• Module 3: Alcohol and other drugs in midwifery practice
• Module 4: Complementary therapies in midwifery practice