# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 64 — Board of Nursing — Licensed Direct-Entry Midwives

### Chapter 01 — Practice of Licensed Direct-Entry Midwives

#### Regulation .01 Definitions.

*COMAR 10.64.01.01*

A. In this chapter the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

  (1) “Accompany the patient to the hospital” means, in the case of a transfer of care to a hospital, the direct-entry midwife:

    (a) If possible, will ride in the ambulance with the patient; or

    (b) Travel by other means to the hospital.

  (2) “ACME” means the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education or a successor organization that is:

    (a) An accrediting agency for nurse-midwifery and direct-entry midwifery education programs; and

    (b) Approved by the United States Department of Education.

  (3) “AIMM” means the Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland or a successor organization that is a professional organization representing independent midwives in the State.

  (4) “Board” means the State Board of Nursing.

  (5) “Committee” means the Direct-Entry Midwifery Advisory Committee established under Health Occupations Article, §8-6C-11, Annotated Code of Maryland.

  (6) “Electronic device” means, but is not limited to, any of the following:

    (a) Telephone;

    (b) Telephone answering device;

    (c) Facsimile machine, photocopier, and scanner for copying; and

    (d) Computer.

  (7) “Health care practitioner” means an individual certified or licensed under Health Occupations Article, Annotated Code of Maryland as a:

    (a) Nurse-midwife;

    (b) Nurse practitioner; or

    (c) Physician.

  (8) “Health care provider” means a health care practitioner or a hospital and the agents or employees of a health care practitioner or a hospital.

  (9) “Hospital” has the meaning stated in Health-General Article, §19-301, Annotated Code of Maryland.

  (10) Licensed Direct-Entry Midwife.

    (a) “Licensed direct-entry midwife” means an individual who has been granted a license under Health Occupations Article, Title 8, Annotated Code of Maryland, to practice direct-entry midwifery.

    (b) “Licensed direct-entry midwife” does not include a licensed registered nurse certified as a nurse-midwife under Health Occupations Article, Title 8, Annotated Code of Maryland.

  (11) “Low-risk pregnancy” means a pregnancy, labor, and delivery and postpartum, newborn, and interconceptional care that does not include a condition that requires a mandatory transfer under Regulation .03 of this chapter.

  (12) “MEAC” means the Midwifery Education and Accreditation Council or a successor organization that is a national accreditation agency for midwifery education approved by the United States Department of Education.

  (13) “NARM” means the North American Registry of Midwives or a successor organization approved by the Board that is an international certification agency that establishes and administers certification for the certified professional midwife credential.

  (14) “Patient” means:

    (a) A woman for whom a licensed direct-entry midwife performs services: and

    (b) A woman’s newborn for the purpose of perinatal or postpartum care.

  (15) “Postpartum period” means the first 6 weeks after delivery.

  (16) “Practice direct-entry midwifery” means:

    (a) Providing maternity care that is consistent with a midwife’s training, education, and experience;

    (b) Identifying and referring patients who require medical care to an appropriate health care provider; and

    (c) Includes the activities described in Regulation .02 of this chapter.