Regulation
In 1975, the Alabama Legislature granted licensure to only Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs). Independent midwives could continue to practice with a valid permit issued by the Department of Public Health. Over the next few years, the Department ceased to renew permits and informed midwives that they would have to stop practicing. Various midwives have continued to practice since that time; some served their communities at home births, while others have traveled across state lines to provide care in a safer legal setting.
Some Alabama midwives have met the standards of certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives to receive the national Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential. There are other skilled and experienced midwives in Alabama who choose not to become certified. ALMA recognizes that ultimately it is the right and the responsibility of parents to educate themselves, to interview prospective maternity providers, to choose their birth setting, and to hire the provider whom they feel is most appropriate for their individual circumstances.
In 2017, HB315 was passed by the Alabama Legislature legalizing the practice of Certified Professional Midwives. The Alabama State Board of Midwifery (ASBM) was established in 2018 and the first licenses were issued on January 18, 2019. The Alabama midwifery law, rules, and regulations may be found on the ASBM website linked above.
Some Alabama midwives have met the standards of certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives to receive the national Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential. There are other skilled and experienced midwives in Alabama who choose not to become certified. ALMA recognizes that ultimately it is the right and the responsibility of parents to educate themselves, to interview prospective maternity providers, to choose their birth setting, and to hire the provider whom they feel is most appropriate for their individual circumstances.
In 2017, HB315 was passed by the Alabama Legislature legalizing the practice of Certified Professional Midwives. The Alabama State Board of Midwifery (ASBM) was established in 2018 and the first licenses were issued on January 18, 2019. The Alabama midwifery law, rules, and regulations may be found on the ASBM website linked above.
