ACOG Statement of Policy
As issued by the ACOG Executive Board - February 2006

LAY MIDWIFERY       
[editor's note: ACOG is referring to nationally certified profession  and/or  licensed midwives -- CPMs and LMs]

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is the representative organization of physicians who are qualified specialists in providing health services to women. ACOG is committed to facilitating access to women's health care that is both safe and high quality. One method of attaining this goal is to assure that providers of care meet educational and professional standards of a certification process. ACOG recognizes the educational and professional standards currently used by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)* to evaluate and certify midwives. While ACOG supports women having a choice in determining their providers of care, ACOG does not support the provision of care by lay midwives or other midwives who are not certified by the AMCB.

*The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB), formerly known as the ACNM Certification Council (ACC), was incorporated in 1991. The AMCB develops and administers the national certification examination for Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Midwives (CMs). CNMs are registered nurses who have graduated from a midwifery education program accredited by the American College of Nurse Midwives Division of Accreditation and have passed a national certification examination administered by AMCB. Certified midwives have also graduated from a midwifery education program accredited by the American College of Nurse Midwives Division of Accreditation, have successfully completed the same requirements, have passed the same AMCB national certification examination as certified nurse-midwives and adhere to the same professional standards as certified nurse-midwives.

Approval by the Executive Board February 2006

  ACOG Statement of Policy
As issued by the ACOG Executive Board 

HOME DELIVERY

Labor and delivery, while a physiological process, clearly presents potential hazards to both mother and fetus before and after birth. These hazards require standards of safety which are provided in the hospital setting and cannot be matched in the home situation. accepted standards of safety (are) available only in hospitals which conform to standards as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Approved by the Executive Board May 1975, Amended March 1979, Reaffirmed September 1999