A new generation of midwives

Five years in the making, the UWS Bachelor of Midwifery commenced this autumn session, aiming to educate professional midwives to serve the Greater Western Sydney community.

The course has proven popular, with 400 applicants striving to fill the 40 places available.

"Midwifery is a separate profession to nursing, with its own philosophical framework and professional standards," explains Hannah Dahlen, Professor of Midwifery and one of the creators of the course. "Most of the world is now moving towards midwifery being a direct-entry qualification."

As students commence the course, they will begin by studying Primary Healthcare, which Hannah says underpins the entire course, and covers bioscience, midwifery skills and practice, knowledge around the profession of midwifery and facilitating normal birth. "Students will have the exciting opportunity to follow 20 women who they get to know and form a professional relationship with during pregnancy, labour and birth, and for up to six weeks following birth," says Hannah. "Students will watch the wonder of families being made and growing."

Margaret Duff, Senior Lecturer and the Director of the Academic Program of Midwifery, says that because a whole pregnancy, labour and birth won't fit into an academic term, midwifery students practice throughout the year. "UWS and the School of Nursing and Midwifery have assisted students by providing lectures online and flexible study arrangements. "The National Standard requires midwifery courses to consist of equal amounts of practice and theory," explains Margie. "UWS's iPad initiative has also assisted midwifery students with flexibility in their course."

Aaliya Furmie has just commenced the course and is already feeling motivated and inspired by the tutors and clinical educators she will be working with. "As the numbers of students enrolled in the course is small, you get to know the tutors, clinical educators and facilitators really well," she says. "I'm excited that 50 per cent of the course is made up of clinical practice, so I will gain a lot of valuable practical experience, and I feel that this is very important when completing a health-related course. Under the guidance of some of the best midwives in the field who have amazing midwifery experience, I hope to become a confident midwife."

Hannah says that the introduction of the course in the region is a great boon for the community as a whole. "The Greater Western Sydney area has the highest number of births in Australia, and we now offer the population the opportunity to undertake midwifery education at UWS and work at hospitals and in community settings in the local area," she says. "This course will also attract students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds to become midwives and work in their community."

While the course has been limited to just 40 students due to clinical placement limitations, Hannah and Margaret are hopeful that more available places will become available in the future so more students have the opportunity to undertake the Bachelor of Midwifery.

"Our students will be exposed to exciting and emerging practice opportunities like never before in Australia," says Hannah.