§3244. Scope of practice

A. Licensed midwifery in Louisiana is limited in scope to practice and outlined in this Section.

B. The licensed midwife may provide care to low risk patients determined by physician evaluation and examination to be essentially normal for pregnancy and childbirth. Such care includes prenatal supervision and counseling; preparation for childbirth; and supervision and care during labor and delivery and care of the mother and the newborn in the immediate postpartum period if progress meets criteria generally accepted as normal as defined by the board.

C. A person may be issued a license as a licensed midwife, or permit as an apprentice midwife, or a senior apprentice midwife, such that:

(1) A licensed midwife may provide any care or services provided for in Subsection B of this Section.

(2) A senior apprentice midwife may provide care or services only under the supervision of a licensed physician, certified nurse midwife, or licensed midwife.

(3) An apprentice midwife may provide care or services only under the supervision of a licensed physician, certified nurse midwife, or licensed midwife.

D. Prior to providing any services, a licensed midwife shall obtain informed consent, in writing, of the patient in a manner and form prescribed by the board which shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1) The name and license number of the licensed midwife.

(2) The patient's name, address, telephone number, and the name of the patient's primary care provider if the patient has one.

(3) A statement that the licensed midwife is not an advanced practice registered nurse midwife or physician.

(4) A description of the education, training, continuing education, and experience of the licensed midwife.

(5) A description of the licensed midwife's philosophy of practice.

(6) A statement recognizing the obligation of the licensed midwife to provide the client, upon request, separate documents describing the law and regulations governing the practice of midwifery, including the requirement for an evaluation and examination by a physician, the protocol for transfer or mandatory transfer, and the licensed midwife's personal written practice guidelines.

(7) A description of the protocol for transfer to a hospital.

(8) A complete and accurate description of the services to be provided to the patient.

(9) Whether the licensed midwife maintains a professional liability policy and if insurance is maintained, a description of the liability conditions and limits of such insurance.

(10) Any additional information or requirement which the board deems necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the patient.

Acts 1984, No. 688, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1985; Acts 1988, No. 701, §2; Acts 2012, No. 772, §1.