We need to talk about midwives...

The regulation of midwifery in the United States is inconsistent, with a patchwork of rules, laws and provider titles that can be hard to follow. A board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist who has worked with midwives in the US and currently works in New Zealand argues that this confusion makes it difficult for patients to find providers who can support a safe pregnancy and birth. The discussion draws on a US Government Accountability Office report on midwifery regulation.

• Midwives' roles and titles vary across US states
• Patients may struggle to identify qualified providers for pregnancy and birth
• Discussion is based on a GAO report on US midwifery regulation

Midwives are a crucial part of healthcare teams around the world - where I’ve worked all over the US, where I currently work in New Zealand, and practically every other country on the planet. However, the confusing regulation (or lack thereof) of midwifery in the United States is downright dangerous. If I, a board-certified obgyn who regularly worked with midwives all the time in the US, am confused by the patchwork of regulations, laws, and titles among midwives in the United States, how are patients supposed to figure out which providers will help them have a safe pregnancy and birth? Let’s discuss. Watch next: ObGyn Compares Home & Hospital Birth: https://youtu.be/5XF0XkISTwg?si=CZoU5OBvUGyr2BPE 7 Key Postpartum Questions ANSWERED by ObGyn: https://youtu.be/olTrQK33EVY?si=ZLQbhwSPkdW4DhGK Source: https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-23-105861.pdf Want to support science & connect with us? Join the MDJ community: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrPhcbDwqWRc-3tteE2BS6g/join I stream on Twitch weekly (usually Sundays): https://www.twitch.tv/mamadoctorjones - Playlist of full-length Twitch streams for channel members: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVH2Gpf8wKeRO7TL3vfzJkfsF9eHmQGkP FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamadoctorjones Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mamadoctorjones TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mamadoctorjones ** The information in this video is intended to serve as educational information and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/advanced practice provider. ** +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++