GRS4103 - Pregnancy and parturition - 2017

All aspects of human pregnancy from implantation to the puerperium. Unit taught by both basic and clinical scientists, thereby affording the student an appreciation of the close integration between the disciplines. The module will be taught in four sections: implantation and placentation, the foetus, the mother and politics of pregnancy.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. describe and discuss the pathophysiology of human pregnancy in terms of both the mother and her foetus;
2. explain the processes regulating implantation and placental development and function, foetal growth and development, neonatal adaptation, maternal adaptation to pregnancy and puerperal changes and the regulation of parturition;
3. describe common aberrations in normal physiology and development including foetal abnormality and prenatal diagnosis, recurrent miscarriage, pregnancy hypertension, preterm labour, puerperal disorders and neonatal care;
4. give examples of, and discuss, some of the key unanswered questions in perinatal research and gain an insight into the research strategies capable of providing new developments;
5. review and explain the theory that underpins the laboratory techniques of dispersed cell culture and immunohistochemistry.

• Examination (2.25h) (40%) (Hurdle)
• Literature review for the research project (2,500 words) (50%) (Hurdle)
• Prepare title and abstract for published article (title and abstract removed) (10%)

This unit will be held over 3 weeks in first semester. Students are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and journal review sessions. In addition attendance is required from 9 am to 5 pm for a one week practical laboratory project.

See also Unit timetable information

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith

Reproductive sciences

enquiries@med.monash.edu.au