Midwife regulations approved

DAILY HERALD | Posted: Monday, February 18, 2008 11:00 pm

Joe Pyrah

Sen. Margaret Dayton is taking another run at midwifery regulation.

On Monday, she introduced a substitute bill drafted by the Utah Medical Association that would define "normal birth." And while the bill was supposedly the result of talks between the UMA and licensed direct-entry midwives, the midwives were unaware that the new version would be proposed or even what was in it.

It also failed to address the two issues in the original bill where battle lines had been drawn: the definition of "normal birth" and whether direct-entry midwives should be allowed to deliver breech babies, twins or babies from mothers who have previously had a Caesarean section.

Dayton, R-Orem, says she is simply doing what is required of all state licensed bodies, and that is solidifying regulation. The bill, she says, is an extension of the licensure that direct-entry midwives pushed for two years ago.

"I agree with the stand of the UMA," she said.

The bill passed easily 28-1.

The direct-entry midwives have met with UMA representatives twice trying to iron out differences and found common ground on minor aspects of the bill.

The fight is far from over, however. The Senate bill still faces another vote in that body, and Rep. Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, is reportedly drafting the midwives' own version of the bill.

Before the Senate vote Monday, LDEM Suzanne Smith said while they wouldn't mind if Dayton's bill died, the state's 16 licensed direct-entry midwives would rather have something palatable to all.

"We want to solve the problem and have it stay solved," she said.