Hawaii Revised Statutes 457J-1 – Findings and purpose

The legislature finds that:

(1) Midwives offer maternity and newborn care from the antepartum period through the intrapartum period to the postpartum period;

Midwifery: means the provision of one or more of the following services:
(1) Assessment, monitoring, and care during pregnancy, labor, childbirth, postpartum and interconception periods, and for newborns, including ordering and interpreting screenings and diagnostic tests, and carrying out appropriate emergency measures when necessary;
(2) Supervising the conduct of labor and childbirth; and
(3) Provision of advice and information regarding the progress of childbirth and care for newborns and infants. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 457J-2
Postpartum: means the period of time immediately after and up to eight weeks following the birth of the baby. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 457J-2

(2) The improper practice of midwifery poses a significant risk of harm to the mother or newborn, and may result in death; and

(3) The regulation of the practice of midwifery is reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of mothers and their newborns.

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