SC Licensed Midwives Support Bills to Improve Access to Birth Options

Very Exciting things are happening for Licensed Midwives in South Carolina. Did you realize that South Carolina was the first state to regulate midwives? Now, 50 years later, we will be the first state to be integrated into the Perinatal Levels of Care as facilities. This gives streamlined care for transferring from home to hospital in the event that additional services are needed. The Perinatal Integration Act (PIA) H.3232 & S.379 are game-changers. Not only do they exponentially improve safety, but they assure that the same consultation and continuing education services that are available to smaller hospitals are also available to

Licensed Midwives. BUT WAIT... THERE'S MORE: This year we also have another bill; The Midwife Practice Act (MPA) H.3510. For 50 years Licensed Midwives have not had a law to protect them. Instead they were ONLY licensed through the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) without a standard of laws that mandated a Licensed Midwife scope of practice. With the MPA, although DHEC will still regulate Licensed Midwives, they no longer be able to change their scope or threatened access to birth options. BONUS FUN: The midwives have an annual event at the SC State House to meet the legislators and discuss the importance of keeping birth options available to SC women. In years past, we have been dressing in purple at the State House events; but not this year. This year we will dawn the midwife uniforms from the PBS show, "Call the Midwife." So find your red sweater, nurses cap or beret and other uniform used in the show and join the fun. More information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/415096986146591