As of mid-March, thirty-one direct-entry midwives have received licensing from the state. Twelve midwives also took the exam in February.
The Division of Licensing approved two challenge mechanisms for direct-entry midwives in the state. The Seattle Midwifery School and the Miami Dade Midwifery School were the approved sites. Midwives had to have proof of the following to be able to begin the challenge process:
The midwife’s experience needed to be verified by a certified nurse midwife and a physician who is current in ob-gyn practice. The school also verified by calling clients who were listed. A person may obtain educational credit by examination for previous midwifery education and clinical experience as long as all experiences have occurred within the 10 years of the date of the application. The application process now stands to continue only through the end of 1997. Seattle Midwifery School itself has separate deadlines and may be reached at 1-800-747-9433.
The midwife needs to be current with her/his Neonatal CPR and Adult, Child and Infant CPR and in Intravenous Certification. Once all this is completed, a midwife is eligible to apply to the school to take the certification exam. When a midwife passes all phases of the certification process, she/he is then eligible to apply to the state to take the Midwifery License exam, (and of course, pay all the fees included!)... Successful completion of the state exam allows the midwife to be licensed by the state.
The educational program and previous experience prepares the midwife to practice as follows:
b. Management of normal labor and delivery in all birth settings, including the following when indicated - (home, hospital, alternative birthing centers, etc)
e. Management of family planning and routine gynecological care including barrier methods of contraception
The license to practice midwifery authorizes the holder to practice under the supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon. Disclosure of liability coverage, physician supervision including briefings regarding care must all be discussed with the client and properly documented. Practice guidelines that define the individual and shared responsibilities of the midwife and the physician must also be documented.
The law requires every policy of disability insurance, amended, or renewed after Jan.1, 1994, that offers coverage for perinatal services, to contain a provision for direct reimbursement to licensed midwives for perinatal services. Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program to cover midwifery services to the extent that federal financial participation is available.
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07/20/01