The Midwifery Advisory Committee How can I check my Who is it? healthcare provider’s credential? What does it do? WHAT IS A The Washington State Legislature created the You may check the credential status of any committee to advise and make healthcare provider licensed in Washington online. LICENSED recommendations to the secretary of health on See our webpage at http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/ to issues including, but not limited to, continuing find our Provider Credential Search function. MIDWIFE? education, mandatory re-examination, and peer review. The committee consists of seven You may also contact our Customer Service Office members and includes: by calling 360-236-4700 to verify the status of a healthcare provider’s credential and to find out if disciplinary action has been taken. The address for • One physician who is a practicing obstetrician written inquiries is:

• One practicing physician Department of Health • One certified nurse midwife Customer Service Office • Three licensed midwives P.O. Box 47865 • One public member Olympia, WA 98504

The secretary of health appoints committee members, who may not serve more than five consecutive years.

For more information about licensed midwives For more information about licensed midwives

practicing in your area, contact: Washington State practicing in your area, contact: Washington State Department of Health Washington State Department of Health www.doh.wa.gov Department of Health www.doh.wa.gov or call www.doh.wa.gov or call 360-236-4700 360-236-4700

What is a Licensed Midwife?

What Services may a Licensed Midwife Offer? The Midwife What education and training are required to be a Licensed Midwife in Washington? Licensed midwives are covered by almost all medical A midwife licensed in Washington State specializes insurance companies in Washington State. This service in the care of low-risk childbearing women and their The basic curriculum shall be at least three academic may include: years, consist of both didactic and clinical instruction, newborn babies. Midwives combine traditional • Complete prenatal care, including lab work and and meet the educational standards of the school and skills with medical techniques to safeguard normal referral for ultrasound chapter 18.50 RCW. childbirth, and to ensure prompt diagnosis and • Education, pregnancy and birth counseling, and referral of complications when needed. Midwives Students must care for a minimum of 50 women in infant care value shared decision making and encourage parents each of the prenatal, intrapartum and early postpartum • Continuous support during labor to take an active role in the birth experience. periods. A candidate for licensure must observe an • Delivery of the infant Midwives maintain liaisons with physicians and additional 50 women in the intrapartum period to • other health care providers to ensure childbearing Newborn care for the first two weeks of life qualify for licensure. • women have access to current standard screenings, Postpartum care of the mother, up to eight weeks diagnostic procedures, and other methods that may Applicants must successfully pass the national and Types of Midwifery Practices be needed or helpful throughout the childbearing state midwifery licensure examinations. year. A licensed midwife may practice independently or in a group with other midwives, physicians or health care Midwifery in Washington providers. Licensed midwives may conduct deliveries Washington State recognizes two separate entry in hospitals, birth centers or homes. They are licensed paths for professional midwives: to perform all of the procedures that may be necessary during a normal pregnancy and birth, including Licensed midwives (LM) administering approved medications, and all routine Licensed midwives follow the direct-entry model of procedures for newborns. midwifery training, which includes the nursing care necessary for women and infants within the program. If deviations from normal occur during pregnancy or This direct-entry model is used successfully in many delivery, midwives consult with qualified physicians states of the US. and make appropriate referrals. In an emergency, they are trained and equipped to carry out life-saving Certified nurse-midwives (CNM) measures. Licensed midwives are required to file a plan Certified nurse-midwives are educated in the two annually with the Department of Health for medical disciplines of nursing and midwifery. Their consultation, referral and emergency transport. certification is by the American College of Nurse- DOH Pub 679-149 Midwives.

For more information about licensed You can check the credential status of any midwives practicing in your area, contact: Washington State healthcare provider online. Washington State Department of Health Visit our webpage at Department of Health http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/ www.doh.wa.gov to access our Provider Credential Search or call www.doh.wa.gov function. 360-236-4700