The exact requirements, titles, and scope of practice for midwives can differ significantly from states and regions within the United States. Some places recognize certified nurse-midwives, while others have independent midwifery practices. In Florida, the Florida Board of Nursing requires its nurse midwives to complete a master’s degree in nurse midwifery or a post-masters program in nurse midwifery before going on to earn national certification through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). Some midwives in Florida do not need to have a nursing degree first. 

In most cases, the midwives are highly trained, and the curriculum includes a blend of theoretical and practical coursework. It covers subjects such as anatomy, physiology, prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, newborn care, pharmacology, ethics, and more. There’s also a strong focus on hands-on clinical experience. Most midwives go through the following education and training:

• Clinical Experience: Midwifery training involves hands-on experience working in hospitals, birthing centers, and sometimes in home birth settings. This is critical in order to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations under the guidance of experienced professionals.
• Certification and Licensure: After completing their education and training, midwives typically need to be certified or licensed by the relevant regulatory body or professional organization in their state and/or country. Certification requirements and titles may differ across regions.
• Continuing Education: Midwives often engage in ongoing continuing education and professional development to stay current with the latest medical practices, technological advancements, and changes in healthcare policies and procedures.
• Specializations: Some midwives pursue specialized training in areas like lactation consulting, neonatal care, or women’s health in addition to the more traditional areas of pregnancy and childbirth.
• Ethical and Legal Aspects: Training also encompasses understanding ethical considerations, patient rights, legal aspects of healthcare, and principles of providing compassionate care.

What Might Cause Midwife Negligence?

Midwives play a crucial role in providing maternal care, and negligence in the performance of their duties can have serious consequences. Signs of midwife negligence or medical malpractice might include:

• Inadequate Monitoring: Failure of a midwife to regularly monitor the mother and baby’s health during prenatal care, labor, and postpartum, such as neglecting to perform necessary tests or check-ups.
• Ignoring Symptoms: Disregarding or not appropriately addressing symptoms or complaints from the mother during pregnancy or labor.
• Poor Communication: Inadequate communication with the mother regarding the birthing process, medical interventions, or potential risks involved.
• Failure to Act on Warning Signs: Not taking action upon signs that indicate complications during pregnancy, labor, or postpartum, which could lead to preventable injuries or harm.
• Medication Errors: Administering incorrect medication, dosage or failing to adhere to proper protocols for medication administration.
• Mismanagement of Labor: Mishandling the progression of labor, such as inappropriately using labor-inducing methods or failing to recognize when medical intervention is necessary.
• Injuries to Mother or Child: If there are injuries to the mother or child during birth that could have been prevented or were caused by negligent actions.
• Documentation Issues: Inaccurate or incomplete documentation of the mother’s medical records, which can impede proper medical care and follow-ups.
• Lack of Informed Consent: Failing to adequately inform the mother about procedures, risks, and alternatives and proceeding without proper informed consent.
• Disregard for Standards of Care: Not following established medical protocols and standards of care within the midwifery practice.
• Failure to collaborate with an obstetrician: A physician should be close by the labor and delivery, so the midwife does not act outside her scope of practice. 

Proving Midwife Negligence

Proving midwife negligence, like any medical malpractice claim, can be complex and requires a significant amount of evidence. Here are some steps that can be used to prove midwife negligence:

1. Medical Records: Obtain and thoroughly review the medical records related to the care provided by the midwife to the mother and the baby. These records can include prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, prescriptions, tests, and any documented communication.
2. Consult Medical Experts: Obtain the opinion of other medical professionals, especially experts in the field of midwifery or obstetrics. These professionals can review the records and provide their professional opinion on whether the care provided met or fell below the accepted standard.
3. Establish Standard of Care: It’s crucial to establish what the standard of care was for the specific situation or medical issue. This means understanding what a reasonable, similarly trained midwife would have done in a similar circumstance.
4. Documentation and Evidence: Gather any documentation that might support your claim, such as emails, texts, witness statements, photographs, medical records, or any other evidence that might help establish negligence or the effects of the negligence.
5. Interviews and Testimonials: Interview and/or obtain testimonies from others involved or present during the care. This could include family members, other medical professionals, technical staff, or anyone else who might have witnessed the events.
6. Legal Consultation: Consult with a medical malpractice attorney who has experience in handling cases of midwife negligence. They can guide you through the legal process and advise you on the merits and strength of your case.
7. Time Limitations: Be aware of the statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice claim in your jurisdiction. Failing to file within the specified time frame might prevent you from pursuing legal action. In Florida, in most cases, this is two years.
8. Mediation or Settlement: In some cases, mediation or settlement outside of court might be an option. This can be beneficial for both parties as it avoids the costs and stress of a trial. However, this should be done only with the guidance of legal counsel.

Get Help Today from HPS 

Proving midwife negligence can be challenging. It requires a comprehensive understanding of medical procedures and legal standards and the ability to gather and present compelling evidence. If you suspect midwife negligence, it’s advisable to seek the legal advice of a Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice attorney or Orlando medical malpractice lawyer at Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm promptly, in order to understand your options on the best way to proceed. Contact us today.