Skip to Main Content
Catalogue Link
<a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/home" class="t-Header-logo-link"><span class="apex-logo-text">Handbook</span></a>
Hidden Page Items
New
5
New
HE Unit Template
New
Perinatal and Infant Mental Health For Midwives
New
MIDBM2002 - Perinatal and Infant Mental Health For Midwives
New
20260200
New
New
New
New
Course
New
Unit
New
New
2.1
New
New
2026-09-10
New
2026-09-10
New
Midwifery
New
New
New
New
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
New
Midwifery
New
Undergraduate
New
30
New
New
.25
New
060303
New
Midwifery
New
060303 - Midwifery
New
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/midbm2002">View unit fees</a>
New
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
New
7
New
Bachelor Degree
New
Intermediate
New
New
New
New
1
New
New
New
New
New
true
New
10
New
80
New
<p>Perinatal and infant mental health is an interdisciplinary field focused on parent wellbeing and the social, emotional, and cognitive development of infants from birth to three years. This unit provides foundational knowledge around common perinatal mental health challenges, experienced by women and their infant, as well as explores the significant role that the midwife has in supporting the psychosocial wellbeing of the dyad. Students will develop midwifery knowledge and skills in identifying risk factors, screening, treatment options and the impact on women and their families. Students will develop communication skills to establish effective therapeutic relationships with women while collaborating appropriately with the multidisciplinary team. Students will also acknowledge the legal and ethical responsibilities of the midwife, including protecting the rights, dignity and autonomy of women experiencing a mental illness.</p>
New
New
<p>The ANMAC National Accreditation Standards for the Midwife (2014); NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice (2018); NMBA Code of Conduct for the Midwife (2018) and Code of Ethics for the Midwife (2014) have substantially informed the syllabus/content of this unit.</p>
<ul>
<li>Legal and professional frameworks</li>
<li>Ethical issues in practice</li>
<li>Common mental health conditions in the perinatal period including perinatal anxiety and depression,</li>
<li>post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)</li>
<li>Common mental health disorders (and related pathophysiology) experienced by women of childbearing age.</li>
<li>Barriers and enablers to optimum perinatal mental health</li>
<li>Screening and assessment of women with perinatal mental health disorders</li>
<li>Postnatal debriefing and counselling</li>
<li>Diverse populations and vulnerable groups: including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, migrant or refugee women, those experiencing previous trauma, social determinants, assisted reproductive technologies, family violence.</li>
<li>Societal constructs of parenthood and adjustment to parenting</li>
<li>Infant mental health including normal behaviour cues and development.</li>
<li>Documentation & Information systems</li>
</ul>
New
true
New
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
New
true
Hidden Page Items
Semester
Semester
0200
Year
Year
2027
Current Year
2026
Breadcrumb Positioning
Handbook
MIDBM2002 - Perinatal and Infant Mental Health For Midwives
Pseudo Breadcrumb
MIDBM2002 - Perinatal and Infant Mental Health For Midwives
Breadcrumb Type
Unit
Catalogue Term and Year
Version Text
You are viewing a version for
Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
Summer Semester
Year
2027
2026
Download PDF
RDS Holder
Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>Perinatal and infant mental health is an interdisciplinary field focused on parent wellbeing and the social, emotional, and cognitive development of infants from birth to three years. This unit provides foundational knowledge around common perinatal mental health challenges, experienced by women and their infant, as well as explores the significant role that the midwife has in supporting the psychosocial wellbeing of the dyad. Students will develop midwifery knowledge and skills in identifying risk factors, screening, treatment options and the impact on women and their families. Students will develop communication skills to establish effective therapeutic relationships with women while collaborating appropriately with the multidisciplinary team. Students will also acknowledge the legal and ethical responsibilities of the midwife, including protecting the rights, dignity and autonomy of women experiencing a mental illness.</p>
Unit content
<p>The ANMAC National Accreditation Standards for the Midwife (2014); NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice (2018); NMBA Code of Conduct for the Midwife (2018) and Code of Ethics for the Midwife (2014) have substantially informed the syllabus/content of this unit.</p> <ul> <li>Legal and professional frameworks</li> <li>Ethical issues in practice</li> <li>Common mental health conditions in the perinatal period including perinatal anxiety and depression,</li> <li>post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)</li> <li>Common mental health disorders (and related pathophysiology) experienced by women of childbearing age.</li> <li>Barriers and enablers to optimum perinatal mental health</li> <li>Screening and assessment of women with perinatal mental health disorders</li> <li>Postnatal debriefing and counselling</li> <li>Diverse populations and vulnerable groups: including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, migrant or refugee women, those experiencing previous trauma, social determinants, assisted reproductive technologies, family violence.</li> <li>Societal constructs of parenthood and adjustment to parenting</li> <li>Infant mental health including normal behaviour cues and development.</li> <li>Documentation & Information systems</li> </ul>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Midwifery
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
30
EFTSL:
0.25
Field of education:
060303 - Midwifery
Offering:
<p><strong>Early Semester 2 Nursing</strong><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
Yes
Placement hours:
80
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/midbm2002">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
None
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
None
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
K1
<p>Explore the concept of mental health and emotional wellbeing during the perinatal period, considering the impact of adverse perinatal experiences on the woman, infant development, family, and her community.</p>
K2
<p>Demonstrate an understanding of the enablers and barriers to perinatal mental health and healthy adjustment to parenting.</p>
K3
<p>Review contemporary midwifery practice as part of the multidisciplinary team to provide inclusive and evidence-based strategies to support the woman and family requiring additional psychological support.</p>
K4
<p>Discuss how discriminatory stereotypes and other personal beliefs related to mental illness creates barriers for women accessing midwifery care.</p>
K5
<p>Examine the legal and ethical frameworks surrounding mental health care.</p>
S1
<p>Demonstrate interpersonal and therapeutic communication skills which promotes cultural sensitivity and safety when working with women experiencing emotional or psychological challenges.</p>
S2
<p>Undertake psychosocial screening of women, infants and families in the perinatal period using a variety of resources and tools.</p>
S3
<p>Understand the role of postnatal debriefing and demonstrate general counselling skills using a strengths-based approach.</p>
S4
<p>Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.</p>
A1
<p>Conduct mental health screening of women and their infant at various stages across the childbearing continuum and provide safe, evidence based, culturally safe woman-centred care.</p>
A2
<p>Accurately evaluate screening results and identify a need to make timely referrals to appropriate services when appropriate.</p>
A3
<p>Use a recovery-based approach to provide extended evidence-based care to the mother, baby and family including complex discharge planning.</p>
A4
<p>Demonstrate a sound understanding of midwifery competencies based on the NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice.</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Theoretical concepts, knowledge and skills required when working with a woman experiencing psychosocial challenges during the perinatal period considering the impacts on infants, family & her community.</p>
<p>Written Task</p>
<p>30-50%</p>
K1, K2, K4, S2, S3
2
<p>Application of theoretical concepts related to perinatal and infant mental health.</p>
<p>Oral Presentation</p>
<p>30-50%</p>
K1, K2, K3, K4, S2, A1, A2, A3
3
<p>Application of midwifery practice concepts in the context of working with women experiencing perinatal mental health concerns.</p>
<p>Online Task</p>
<p>10-20%</p>
K1, K2, K3, A1
4
<p>Satisfactory achievement of identified NMBA Midwife Standards for midwifery practice experiences.</p><p>Assessment of Midwifery Practice (Compulsory PASS required)</p>
<p>Midwifery Practice Portfolio & AMSAT Successful completion of 80 practice hours</p>
<p>S/U</p>
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2, A3, A4
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Midwifery
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
30
EFTSL:
0.25
Field of education:
060303 - Midwifery
Offering:
<p><strong>Early Semester 2 Nursing</strong><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
Yes
Placement hours:
80
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/midbm2002">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: MIDBM2002 - U2.1