The aim of this unit is to develop and advance the clinical skills of midwives and neonatal nurses to become competent practitioners in the clinical examination of the newborn. The advanced examination of the newborn is an additional assessment of the newborn, to the midwife's check immediately after birth and is designed to meet the requirements of a rapidly changing maternity and neonatal service. This unit involves the application of evidenced-based knowledge to the examination of the newborn and will examine in-depth the gestational development of the fetus, including the development of the various systems of the body.
Students will be encouraged to follow a systematic approach to the assessment of fetal well-being, including: a detailed examination of the antenatal history and influential risk factors for example, drug abuse; the events of labour and potential impact on the health of the neonate and the steps of the neonatal examination: preparation, observation, examination, explanation and documentation. Common congenital and chromosomal abnormalities and screening will form the background of the physical examination, whilst the related sociological, behavioural and professional aspects will be discussed.
Online enrolment is not available for this unit. For further academic advice, please contact the Post Graduate Midwifery Coordinator on postgraduatemidwifery@cdu.edu.au.
