IDAHO LAW & MIDWIFERY BOARD RULES
    The new law in Idaho passed this spring to license its midwives is an historical event.     Requirements include certification by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) with along with Neonatal Resuscitation (level 4) and Healthcare Provider CPR; additional certifications in Shock & IV Therapy, Medications (midwives formulary) & Suturing for Midwives.
    By July 1st, all out-of-hospital midwives in Idaho must be licensed. If not NARM certified by that date, there is a process for grandmothering-in of those midwives who have been active for a certain amount of years.
    In many ways, this law provides credibility and recognition, but along with its additional requirements, a number of restrictions have also been place upon scope of practice.
    For example, midwives can no longer determine which women wanting VBAC's (Vaginal Births After Cesarean) would be considered acceptable for a homebirth. Instead, they can now only serve women who have had only one prior surgical birth, with no less than 18 months between them. A woman with weight that does not fit within a certain range at the beginning of pregnancy cannot have midwifery care. And midwives cannot deliver breech nor twin babies, no matter their experience or training. The actual list of limitations is much longer.     On the other hand, Idaho Licensed Midwives may now legally carry and administer oxygen, IV, injectable medication for hemorrhage, antibiotics for strep B, injectable lidocaine and other suturing supplies, newborn ophthalmic erythromycin and newborn vitamin K shots.
    Idaho midwives do not yet have the ability to accept Medicaid in Idaho. However, other insurance plans may be more likely to cover services by licensed providers.
    Midwives will continue to register birth certificates with the state vital records department.