Cal. BPC § 3651 — California Code / Code bpc / Division 2 / Chapter 8.2 / Article 5 / Section 3651
Section 3651
Status: in_force

In order to be certified for the specialty practice of naturopathic childbirth attendance, a naturopathic doctor shall obtain a passing grade on the American College of Nurse Midwives Written Examination, the American College of Naturopathic Obstetricians Examination, or a substantially equivalent examination approved by the board, and shall establish, to the board’s satisfaction, compliance with one of the following requirements:

(a) Successful completion of a certificate of midwifery or naturopathic obstetrics specialty from an approved naturopathic medical education program consisting of not less than 84 semester units or 126 quarter units that substantially complies with the following educational standards and requirements:

(1) The curriculum is presented in semester or quarter units under the following formula:

(A) One hour of instruction in theory each week throughout a semester or quarter equals one unit.

(B) Three hours of clinical practice each week throughout a semester or quarter equals one unit.

(2) The program provides both academic and clinical preparation that is substantially equivalent to that provided in a program accredited by the American College of Nurse Midwives. The program includes, but is not limited to, preparation in all of the following areas:

(A) The art and science of midwifery, one-half of which shall be in theory and one-half of which shall be in clinical practice. Theory and clinical practice shall be concurrent in the areas of maternal and child health, including, but not limited to, labor and delivery, neonatal well care, and postpartum care.

(B) Communications skills that include the principles of oral, written, and group communications.

(C) Anatomy and physiology, genetics, obstetrics and gynecology, embryology and fetal development, neonatology, applied microbiology, chemistry, child growth and development, pharmacology, nutrition, laboratory diagnostic tests and procedures, and physical assessment.

(D) Concepts in psychosocial, emotional, and cultural aspects of maternal and child care, human sexuality, counseling and teaching, maternal and infant and family bonding process, breast feeding, family planning, principles of preventive health, and community health.

(E) Aspects of the normal pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum period, newborn care, family planning, or routine gynecological care in alternative birth centers, homes, and hospitals.

(3) The program integrates the following subjects throughout its entire curriculum:

(A) Midwifery process.

(B) Basic intervention skills in preventive, remedial, and supportive midwifery.

(C) The knowledge and skills required to develop collegial relationships with health care providers from other disciplines.

(D) Related behavioral and social sciences with emphasis on societal and cultural patterns, human development, and behavior related to maternal and child health, illness, and wellness.

(4) Instruction in personal hygiene, client abuse, cultural diversity, and the legal, social, and ethical aspects of midwifery.

(5) Instruction in the midwifery management process which shall include all of the following:

(A) Obtaining or updating a defined and relevant database for assessment of the health status of the client.

(B) Identifying problems based upon correct interpretation of the database.

(C) Preparing a defined needs or problem list, or both, with corroboration from the client.

(D) Consulting, collaborating with, and referring to, appropriate members of the health care team.

(E) Providing information to enable clients to make appropriate decisions and to assume appropriate responsibility for their own health.

(F) Assuming direct responsibility for the development of comprehensive, supportive care for the client and with the client.

(G) Assuming direct responsibility for implementing the plan of care.

(H) Initiating appropriate measures for obstetrical and neonatal emergencies.

(I) Evaluating, with corroboration from the client, the achievement of health care goals and modifying the plan of care appropriately.

(b) Successful completion of an educational program that the board has determined satisfies the criteria of subdivision (a) and current licensure as a midwife by a state with licensing standards that have been found by the board to be substantially equivalent to those adopted by the board pursuant to this article.