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MID212 - Pharmacology for Midwives

2026

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Midwifery

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Must have passed 1 unit in (MID120)

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Unit Description

This unit introduces students to the pharmacological principles and therapies that are commonly used in woman-centred midwifery care. Students will explore the legal requirements and the scope of practice of the registered midwife and the endorsed midwife in relation to pharmacology. Critical discussion related to prescribed substances, non-prescribed (over-the-counter) medications and complementary therapies will enable the student to advocate for and support women in their informed decision making.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Interpret the legal, ethical and professional frameworks that underpin the registered and endorsed midwife's scope of practice related to medication administration.
2.	Critically review controversies related to common prescribed pharmacotherapies used in pregnancy, childbirth and postnatally/during lactation.
3.	Critically evaluate the use of prescribed, common over-the-counter and complementary therapies that may be used by the perinatal woman and given to the newborn.
4.	Implement a collaborative approach to support women to make informed decisions about prescribed and non-prescribed medications.
5.	Critically reflect on own thoughts, feelings and values surrounding the use of prescribed, non-prescribed and complementary therapies and how these might impact your midwifery practice.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Online Quiz (20 mins)	10%	1,2
2.	Peer group presentation (15 minutes); speaker notes (1000 words) and peer review (500 words)	40%	1,2,3,4
3.	Online test (90 minutes)	50%	1,2,3,4,5

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2026	Semester 1	Internal	Casuarina Campus	OLR	View
2026	Semester 1	External	External Studies	OLR	View

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OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
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