The practice of midwifery in Texas is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The TDLR’s Midwives program regulates licensed midwives and approved midwifery education courses.
Midwifery is defined as: (A) providing the necessary supervision, care, and advice to a woman during normal pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period; (B) conducting a normal delivery of a child; and (C) providing normal newborn care. Texas Midwifery Act §203.002(7).
Revisions to Texas Licensed Midwives Informed Choice and Disclosure Form
The TDLR recently revised the Licensed Midwives Informed Choice and Disclosure Form. The revised form was created in collaboration with the Midwives Advisory Board, and now includes a requirement to provide information to prospective clients on hospital transfer.
The revised form also includes two spaces to list the hospitals to which a client will be transferred, if such transfer becomes necessary.
The form reads: “If there is an emergency before, during, or after delivery, anyone can call 911. If there is an emergency before, during, or after delivery, I must initiate an immediate transfer of care either by private vehicle or by calling 911. In the event of an emergency and you are not transported by an ambulance: You will go to, and the exact address is: [two spaces to list hospitals].”
Note that you must list the hospitals to which a client will be transferred, tailored to the planned birth locations for each individual midwifery client. A generic list of hospitals in the area is not sufficient. If you need to list more than two hospitals that a client may be transferred to, a separate page can be attached to the form listing those additional hospitals.
TDLR Publications for Midwives
The TDLR provides a number of publications and standard forms to be used by Texas Midwives. Those publications and forms can be found here. The Texas Midwifery Basic Information and Instructor Manual can be found here in English and here in Spanish.
Complaints Filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
If a complaint is filed against your Midwifery license, or other professional license issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, you have the right to defend yourself and the right to an attorney. Hiring an attorney to help you mount a strong defense serves to protect your license, reputation, fiscal interests, and your career; it does not make you look guilty.
Our firm believes that immediately consulting an experienced license defense attorney to review allegations of misconduct helps ensure the most favorable outcome in your case. Our results speak for themselves.
Our law firm helps professionals, like you, keep their licenses when those licenses are under attack by a state agency or board.
If you have been notified of a complaint filed against you with a licensing board, agency, or commission in Texas, BERTOLINO LLP can help. We are experienced license defense attorneys and we know how to navigate the complaint process against any professional, medical, or vocational license. We are prepared to represent you at any legal hearing or proceeding regarding your license.
Contact us today or call (512) 476-5757 and schedule a case evaluation.
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