Autonomous Practice for All Pregnancies Managed by Licensed Midwives*
Autonomous as defined by state requirement that clients must see a physician.
*Kansas and Missouri do not license midwives but independent practice is protected by supreme court ruling and statute, respectively.
Source: Statute Analysis
It is important for Licensed Midwife (LM) statutes to support autonomous practice by ensuring that clients are not required to see a physician as a condition for receiving CPM care. Requiring physician visits undermines the client’s right to make informed choices about their own health and imposes unnecessary medical oversight on what is often normal, low-risk pregnancy care. Such mandates can create barriers for those who lack access to physician services due to geography, insurance limitations, immigration status, or mistrust of institutional care—ultimately delaying or deterring people from seeking any prenatal support at all. Autonomy in midwifery practice respects the evidence-based competencies of Licensed Midwives, affirms the right of clients to choose their provider, and aligns with ethical standards of informed consent and bodily autonomy. Removing these requirements helps build a more inclusive, client-centered system that prioritizes trust, accessibility, and the seamless integration of care when consultation or referral becomes clinically necessary.