§ 90-178.2. Definitions.

§ 90‑178.2. Definitions.

As used in this Article:

(1)        "Interconceptional care" includes but is notlimited to:

a.         Family planning;

b.         Screening for cancer of the breast and reproductive tract;and

c.         Screening for and management of minor infections of thereproductive organs;

(2)        "Intrapartum care" includes but is not limited to:

a.         Attending women in uncomplicated labor;

b.         Assisting with spontaneous delivery of infants in vertexpresentation from 37 to 42 weeks gestation;

c.         Performing amniotomy;

d.         Administering local anesthesia;

e.         Performing episiotomy and repair; and

f.          Repairing lacerations associated with childbirth.

(3)        "Midwifery" means the act of providing prenatal,intrapartum, postpartum, newborn and interconceptional care. The term does notinclude the practice of medicine by a physician licensed to practice medicinewhen engaged in the practice of medicine as defined by law, the performance ofmedical acts by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner when performed inaccordance with the rules of the North Carolina Medical Board, the practice ofnursing by a registered nurse engaged in the practice of nursing as defined bylaw, or the rendering of childbirth assistance in an emergency situation.

(4)        "Newborn care" includes but is not limited to:

a.         Routine assistance to the newborn to establish respirationand maintain thermal stability;

b.         Routine physical assessment including APGAR scoring;

c.         Vitamin K administration; and

d.         Eye prophylaxis for opthalmia neonatorum.

(5)        "Postpartum care" includes but is not limited to:

a.         Management of the normal third stage of labor;

b.         Administration of pitocin and methergine after delivery ofthe infant when indicated; and

c.         Six weeks postpartum evaluation exam and initiation offamily planning.

(6)        "Prenatal care" includes but is not limited to:

a.         Historical and physical assessment;

b.         Obtaining and assessing the results of routine laboratorytests; and

c.         Supervising the use of prenatal vitamins, folic acid, iron,and nonprescription medicines. (1983, c. 897, s. 1; 1995, c. 94, s. 30.)