The practice of direct–entry midwifery includes: Providing the necessary supervision, care, and advice to a patient during a low–risk pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum period; and Newborn care authorized under this subtitle that is provided in a manner that is: Consistent with national direct–entry midwifery standards; and Based on the acquisition of clinical skills necessary for the care of pregnant women and newborns, including antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care. The practice of direct–entry midwifery also includes: Obtaining informed consent to provide services to the patient; Discussing: Any general risk factors associated with the services to be provided; Any specific risk factors pertaining to the health and circumstances of the individual patient; Conditions that preclude care by a licensed direct–entry midwife; and The conditions under which consultation, transfer of care, or transport of the patient must be implemented; Obtaining a health history of the patient and performing a physical examination; Developing a written plan of care specific to the patient, to ensure continuity of care throughout the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods, that includes: A plan for the management of any specific risk factors pertaining to the individual health and circumstances of the individual patient; and A plan to be followed in the event of an emergency, including a plan for transportation; Evaluating the results of patient care; Consulting and collaborating with a health care practitioner regarding the care of a patient, and referring and transferring care to a health care provider, as required; Referral of all patients, within 72 hours after delivery, to a pediatric health care practitioner for care of the newborn; As approved by the Board: Obtaining and administering medications; and Obtaining and using equipment and devices; Obtaining appropriate screening and testing, including laboratory tests, urinalysis, and ultrasound; Providing care during the antepartum period, with consultation or referral as required; Providing care during the intrapartum period, including: Monitoring and evaluating the condition of the patient and fetus; Performing emergency procedures, including: Administering approved medications; Administering intravenous fluids for stabilization; Performing an emergency episiotomy; and Providing care while on the way to a hospital under circumstances in which emergency medical services have not been activated; Activating emergency medical services for an emergency; and Delivering in an out–of–hospital setting; Participating in peer review as required under § 8–6C–18(e)(2) of this subtitle; Providing care during the postpartum period, including: Suturing of first and second degree perineal or labial lacerations, or suturing of an episiotomy with the administration of a local anesthetic; and Making further contact with the patient within 48 hours, within 2 weeks, and at 6 weeks after the delivery to assess for hemorrhage, preeclampsia, thrombo–embolism, infection, and emotional well–being; Providing routine care for the newborn for up to 72 hours after delivery, exclusive of administering immunizations, including: Immediate care at birth, including resuscitating as needed, performing a newborn examination, and administering intramuscular vitamin K and eye ointment for prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum; Assessing newborn feeding and hydration; Performing metabolic screening and reporting on the screening in accordance with the regulations related to newborn screenings that are adopted by the Department; Performing critical congenital heart disease screening and reporting on the screening in accordance with the regulations related to newborn screenings that are adopted by the Department; If unable to perform the screening required under item (iii) or (iv) of this item, referring the newborn to a pediatric health care practitioner to perform the screening within 24 to 48 hours after delivery; and Referring the infant to an audiologist for a hearing screening in accordance with the regulations related to newborn screenings that are adopted by the Department; Within 24 hours after delivery, notifying a pediatric health care practitioner of the delivery; Within 72 hours after delivery: Transferring health records to the pediatric health care practitioner, including documentation of the performance of the screenings required under item (14)(iii) and (iv) of this subsection; and Referring the newborn to a pediatric health care practitioner; Providing the following care of the newborn beyond the first 72 hours after delivery: Weight checks and general observation of the newborn’s activity, with abnormal findings communicated to the newborn’s pediatric health care practitioner; Assessment of newborn feeding and hydration; and Lactation support and counseling; and Providing limited services to the patient after the postpartum period, including: Lactation support and counseling; and Counseling and referral for all family planning methods. The practice of direct–entry midwifery does not include: Pharmacological induction or augmentation of labor or artificial rupture of membranes prior to the onset of labor; Surgical delivery or any surgery except an emergency episiotomy; Use of forceps or vacuum extractor; Except for the administration of a local anesthetic, administration of an anesthetic; Administration of any kind of narcotic analgesic; or Administration of any prescription medication in a manner that violates this subtitle. The practice of direct–entry midwifery is independent and does not require oversight by another health care practitioner.