467.015 Responsibilities of the midwife. - Florida Statutes

467.015 Responsibilities of the midwife.

   (1) A midwife shall accept and provide care for only those mothers who are expected to have a normal pregnancy, labor, and delivery and shall ensure that the following conditions are met:

   (a) The patient has signed an informed consent form approved by the department pursuant to s. 467.016.

   (b) If the patient is delivering at home, the home is safe and hygienic and meets standards set forth by the department.

   (2) A midwife may provide collaborative prenatal and postpartal care to pregnant women not at low risk in their pregnancy, labor, and delivery, within a written protocol of a physician currently licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, which physician shall maintain supervision for directing the specific course of medical treatment. The department shall by rule develop guidelines for the identification of high-risk pregnancies.

   (3) A midwife licensed under this chapter may administer prophylactic ophthalmic medication, oxygen, postpartum oxytocin, vitamin K, rho immune globulin (human), and local anesthetic pursuant to a prescription issued by a practitioner licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, and may administer such other medicinal drugs as prescribed by such practitioner. Any such prescription for medicinal drugs shall be in a form that complies with chapter 499 and shall be dispensed in a pharmacy permitted under chapter 465 by a pharmacist licensed under chapter 465.

   (4) The care of mothers and infants throughout the prenatal, intrapartal, and postpartal periods shall be in conformity with rules adopted by the department pursuant to this chapter and the public health laws of this state.

   (5) The midwife shall:

   (a) Prepare a written plan of action with the family to ensure continuity of medical care throughout labor and delivery and to provide for immediate medical care if an emergency arises. The family should have specific plans for medical care throughout the prenatal, intrapartal, and postpartal periods.

   (b) Instruct the patient and family regarding the preparation of the environment and ensure availability of equipment and supplies needed for delivery and infant care, if a home birth is planned.

   (c) Instruct the patient in the hygiene of pregnancy and nutrition as it relates to prenatal care.

   (d) Maintain equipment and supplies in conformity with the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.

   (6) The midwife shall determine the progress of labor and, when birth is imminent, shall be immediately available until delivery is accomplished. During labor and delivery, the midwife shall comply with rules adopted by the department pursuant to this chapter, which shall include rules that govern:

   (a) Maintaining a safe and hygienic environment;

   (b) Monitoring the progress of labor and the status of the fetus;

   (c) Recognizing early signs of distress or complications; and

   (d) Enacting the written emergency plan when indicated.

   (7)(a) The midwife shall remain with the postpartal mother until the conditions of the mother and the neonate are stabilized.

   (b) The midwife shall instill into each eye of the newborn infant a prophylactic in accordance with s. 383.04.

History. ss. 1, 3, ch. 82-99; s. 89, ch. 83-218; s. 8, ch. 84-268; ss. 4, 5, ch. 91-429; ss. 11, 19, ch. 92-179; s. 79, ch. 2001-62.