Teaching and research
University Hospital Geelong is a teaching hospital. Midwifery and medical students may wish to observe or take part in your care. Student midwives’ course requirements include following women throughout their pregnancy and birth experience, and they may approach you with this request. Whilst it is your right to refuse student involvement, it is greatly appreciated when they are given this important supervised learning opportunity.
Student Continuity of Care Experience - Deakin University
Would you like to contribute to the development of a midwifery student while being offered extra support during your pregnancy?
What is a Continuity of Care Experience?
A Continuity of Care experience is a teaching/learning strategy where a midwifery student follows a woman through her pregnancy, labour and birth and the time after birth in a partnership approach.
Midwifery students are required to undertake these experiences as a formal requirement of midwifery education in Australia. Following a woman throughout her pregnancy, birth and postnatal experience gives the student the opportunity to experience continuity of care.
If you choose to participate in this partnership, you will continue to receive your usual care from doctors and midwives during this time.
What is the student’s role in this Continuity of Care experience?
- The student is expected to observe and participate in supervised care throughout your pregnancy, labour, birth and for up to six weeks after the birth.
- The student will attend some of your antenatal visits with you. Attendance at visits will be negotiated and mutually agreed upon by you, the student and your care provider.
- The student will then attend your labour and birth and a minimum of two visits after you have your baby. These may occur in the hospital or the Maternal and Child Health Centre setting. The professional relationship will conclude at the final visit.
What are the benefits?
This partnership ensures the student meets requirements as part of their midwifery education and potentially is of benefit for you. Regular contact with the student during your pregnancy, birth and after your baby is born can be very reassuring as the student can provide supportive care under the direct supervision of a midwife and/or medical practitioner.
The student learns from you about your experience of pregnancy, birth and the first few weeks with a new baby. This helps students to understand how to provide care that is centred around women’s individual needs.
As with all health professionals within maternity settings, the student with whom you are in partnership is expected to provide all aspects of care with consideration, respect and confidentiality.
What do I need to do to participate in a Continuity of Care experience?
1. You may be approached and invited by a midwifery student during one of your antenatal visits.
2. You are welcome to express your interest as outlined below.
If you are less than 30 weeks pregnant, please contact Deakin University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone: 9244 5445.
You will be matched with a student who will make contact with you. All you need to do is give your permission to enter a Continuity of Care experience with a student by signing a consent form which will be supplied by the student from Deakin University when you first meet.
Details required when you contact us:
- your name
- your due date
- the hospital you are booked to give birth
- your preferred contact details (email/text/phone)
Research
Barwon Health conducts research involving women and their babies at times. The Barwon Health Research and Ethics Advisory Committee approve all research projects. You may be asked to take part in one or more projects during your pregnancy, birth or early parenting period. If you decide not to participate, this will in no way affect the care you receive.
Before taking part in a research project you will be given a written explanation and asked to sign a consent form. You can withdraw at any stage if you change your mind.
Currently Recruiting Clinical Trials
Matisse RSV Study
Barwon Health are participating in a research study on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and are looking for pregnant volunteers to take part to find out whether giving an investigational vaccine during pregnancy may help protect babies against RSV infection. RSV is a common cause of respiratory illness, especially in babies under 12 months of age.
You may be eligible to participate if you are:
- Aged 18 to 49 years
- Are of general good health
- Are expecting a single healthy baby
- Are between 24 and 36 weeks pregnant on the day of planned vaccination
You will need to meet other requirements to participate and the study team will discuss these with you during a screening visit.
If eligible, your participation in this study will take place during your pregnancy and for approximately 12-24 months after your baby is born. You and your baby will be required to visit the study doctor at Barwon Health a number of times for follow up and to provide information about your and your baby’s health.
For more information or to assess eligibility, please contact Fahriya Zandari - Ph: 03 4215 2877 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
All information is kept strictly confidential. There are no costs associated with participation, and travel expenses can be reimbursed. This study has been approved by an Human Research Ethics Committee.
Maternal RSV Trial (GRACE Study)
The Barwon Health Clinical Trial Unit is looking for pregnant women aged aged between 18 and 49 years to participate in study looking at a potential Maternal RSV vaccine
Barwon Health Director of Infectious Diseases, Professor Eugene Athan, is conducting the research study.
You may be eligible to participate if you are:
- Pregnant and Aged between 18 and 49 years,
- Pre pregnancy BMI 18.5 to 39.9kg/m2 (inclusive)
- In general good maternal health
- Are willing to provide cord blood
- Willing to have your infant followed up for 1 year after delivery
For more information about the study, call the study research nurse Fahriya Zandari on 03 4215 2877 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This study has been approved by Monash Human Research Ethics Committee.
Last Modified: Thursday, 06 May 2021