2003 Minnesota Statutes

     147D.03 Midwifery. 

    Subdivision 1.    General.  Within the meaning of 
 sections 147D.01 to 147D.27, a person who shall publicly profess 
 to be a traditional midwife and who, for a fee, shall assist or 
 attend to a woman in pregnancy, childbirth outside a hospital, 
 and postpartum, shall be regarded as practicing traditional 
 midwifery.  

    Subd. 2.    Scope of practice.  The practice of 
 traditional midwifery includes, but is not limited to: 

    (1) initial and ongoing assessment for suitability of 
 traditional midwifery care; 

    (2) providing prenatal education and coordinating with a 
 licensed health care provider as necessary to provide 
 comprehensive prenatal care, including the routine monitoring of 
 vital signs, indicators of fetal developments, and laboratory 
 tests, as needed, with attention to the physical, nutritional, 
 and emotional needs of the woman and her family; 

    (3) attending and supporting the natural process of labor 
 and birth; 

    (4) postpartum care of the mother and an initial assessment 
 of the newborn; and 

    (5) providing information and referrals to community 
 resources on childbirth preparation, breast-feeding, exercise, 
 nutrition, parenting, and care of the newborn. 

    Subd. 3.    Unauthorized services.  The practice of 
 traditional midwifery does not include:  

    (1) the use of any surgical instrument at a childbirth, 
 except as necessary to sever the umbilical cord or repair a 
 first- or second-degree perineal laceration; 

    (2) the assisting of childbirth by artificial or mechanical 
 means; or 

    (3) the removal of a placenta accreta. 

    HIST: 1999 c 162 s 2