The Mommy Blawg

MIDWIFERY

A bill introduced into the Utah House would regulate and certify direct-entry midwifery in that state, reports the Deseret News in a January 24, 2004 article. House Bill 227, the Midwife Certification Act, would add direct-entry midwives to the list of medical professions monitored by the state Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.

According to the article, DEM's are "in a professional no-man's land, fearful of being able to provide the right kind of care to mothers who want to birth at home. [The bill] would allow the administration of some techniques and drugs common in delivery, such as IV fluids and local anesthetics for suturing lacerations."

The text of the bill from the Utah legislature web site.

More information is available from the Utah Friends of Midwives website.