Part four: Health professions

Midwives are free to prescribe within the limits set by article L. 4151-4. In her actions and prescriptions, she must observe the strictest economy compatible with the effectiveness of care and the interests of her patient.

In the practice of her profession, a midwife must not, save in exceptional circumstances, perform acts or give care, or formulate prescriptions, in areas that are beyond her professional competence or capabilities.

Midwives must refrain from exposing their patients or their children to any unjustified risk in the investigations or procedures they carry out or in the treatments they prescribe. The midwife may not propose to patients or their families, as beneficial or effective, remedies or procedures that have not been sufficiently validated scientifically.

A midwife who is in the presence of a woman or a new-born child who is in immediate danger or who is informed of such danger must render assistance or ensure that the necessary care is given.

When a midwife discerns that a woman to whom she is called, or her child, is being abused, she must use the most appropriate means to protect them, exercising caution and circumspection. In the case of a minor child or a woman who is unable to protect herself because of her age or her physical or mental state, she must, except in special circumstances which she assesses according to her…

A midwife requested or required to examine a person deprived of liberty must inform the judicial authority if she finds that this person is not receiving the care justified by his condition or has been subjected to abuse or ill-treatment.

I.-To exercise the competences conferred upon them by article L. 4151-1 : 1° The midwife is authorised to perform all the clinical and technical procedures necessary for the follow-up and monitoring of non-pathological situations and the screening for pathology, concerning : a) Women during preventive gynaecological care and contraception consultations ; b) Women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period; c) The foetus ; d) Newborn babies; 2° The midwife…

Midwives are prohibited from : 1° Any act likely to procure for a patient an unjustified or illicit material advantage; 2° Any rebate in money or in kind made to a patient; 3° Any commission to any person whatsoever; 4° Acceptance of a commission for any medical act whatsoever, and in particular for an examination, the prescription of medicines or appliances, or referral to a health care establishment; 5° Any…

A midwife is prohibited from facilitating the illegal practice of medicine or the profession of midwifery.

Any competition between midwives and doctors, pharmacists, medical auxiliaries or any other persons, even those not involved in medicine, is prohibited. Competition is understood to mean intelligence between two or more persons with a view to obtaining advantages to the detriment of the patient or third parties. It is forbidden for a midwife to give consultations in commercial premises, unless an exemption has been granted by the Conseil Départemental de…