Louisiana is home to some of the worst perinatal outcomes in the country, especially among Black families. ​High quality research has shown that the best perinatal outcomes occur in communities where midwifery is easily accessible and well integrated into the medical system.

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Over the past several years, state-level health organizations have been working on investigating and addressing the reasons for these outcomes. The good news is that initiatives taken to date have improved some things, but it's not enough.

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In July of 2021 the final pieces of policy were published which will allow for licensure of Free Standing Birth Centers in the state. The owners and midwives of the birth centers currently operating in the state are in favor of this move.

However, the rules and regulations, as published, will:

• restrict the scope of CNMs and CPMs who practice in birth centers

• impose requirements that are not in line with the low-risk midwifery model of care provided in free-standing birth centers

• impose requirements on the birth center that are outside of the birth center's control

• create requirements that will only allow births centers to open in city centers which will prevent them from helping address Louisiana's maternity care deserts

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Midwives are trained, skilled, and professional perinatal providers who understand normal, physiological birth. The rules, as written will impose unnecessary transfers of care and hospital stays for assessments that a midwife is fully capable to make without the oversight of another provider. 

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Louisiana's Birth Centers are committed to safe outcomes, and it is vital that we amend the rules before they are official.