37-27-311. Informed consent. - Montana Statutes

     37-27-311. Informed consent. (1) Prior to accepting a woman for care, a licensed direct-entry midwife shall first obtain written, informed consent from the woman.
     (2) Informed consent must be evidenced by a written statement, in a form prescribed by the board and signed by the direct-entry midwife and the woman to whom care is to be given, in which the direct-entry midwife certifies that full disclosure has been made and acknowledged by the woman on the following:
     (a) the direct-entry midwife's educational background;
     (b) the nature and scope of the care to be given, including the possibility of and procedure for transport of the patient to a hospital;
     (c) the available alternatives to direct-entry midwifery care;
     (d) a description of the risks of home birth, primarily those conditions that may arise during delivery;
     (e) the fact that the patient has been advised to consult with a physician at least twice during the pregnancy;
     (f) whether the midwifery services provided are located more than 50 miles from the nearest hospital; and
     (g) that a health care provider's liability in rendering care or assistance in good faith to a patient of a direct-entry midwife in an emergency situation is limited to damages caused by gross negligence or by willful or wanton acts or omissions.

     History: En. Sec. 18, Ch. 550, L. 1991.