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Section I – F –
TERMINATION ~ Midwife-Client Relationship & Withdrawal of Services
The licensed midwife shall terminate care of a client only in accordance with this section, unless a transfer of care results from an emergency situation.
A. Once a licensed midwife has accepted a client, the relationship is ongoing and the licensed midwife cannot refuse to continue to provide midwifery care to the client unless:
- Client has no need of further care
- Client terminates the relationship
- Client has a condition or develops a complications that AB 1308 legally prohibits the LM from continuing providing primary care
- Licensed midwife formally terminates the relationship based on other factors
- The licensed midwife may terminate care by:
- Providing a minimum of 14 days written notice, during which the licensed midwife shall continue to provide midwifery care to enable the client to select another health care provider
- Delivering written notice to the client by certified mail, including referrals to other appropriate caregivers or institutions
- Documenting the termination of care in midwifery records
B. After the onset of progressive labor, the licensed midwife shall withdraw only if s/he believes s/he is unable to care responsibly for the client and/or newborn and the client refuses to transfer. The licensed midwife shall:
- Document the relevant events
- Makes every attempt to ensure that the client is not left unattended, such as contacting a responsible family member, a physician, the paramedics, or other appropriate emergency personnel