Section 3: Code of ethics for midwives

Except in emergencies and provided she is not failing in her duty of humanity or her obligation to assist, a midwife has the right to refuse care for professional or personal reasons. The midwife may withdraw from her duties, provided that she does not thereby harm her patient or the child, that she ensures that the latter will be cared for and that she provides the relevant information to that…

In the event of public danger, a midwife may not abandon her patients or newborn babies, unless formally ordered to do so by a qualified authority in accordance with the law.

Subject to the provisions of article L. 1111-5, a midwife called upon to provide care to a minor or an adult subject to a legal protection measure with representation of the person who is not capable of expressing her wishes must endeavour to inform the parents, the legal representative or the person in charge of the measure and to obtain their consent or authorisation. The person in charge of the…

Subject to the provisions of article L. 1111-7 and for legitimate reasons which the midwife assesses according to her conscience, a patient may be kept in ignorance of a serious diagnosis or prognosis concerning her. A fatal prognosis should only be revealed to the patient with the greatest circumspection, but the family should generally be informed, unless the patient has previously forbidden any disclosure of her state of health or…

The practice of the profession of midwife normally involves the drawing up by the midwife, in accordance with the observations she is able to make, of the certificates, attestations and documents the production of which is prescribed by legislative and regulatory texts. Prescriptions, certificates, attestations and documents must be written in French, allow the midwife to be identified and bear her handwritten signature. A translation into the patient’s language may…

The midwife must formulate her prescriptions as clearly as possible. She must ensure that the patient and those around her understand them. She must endeavour to ensure that the treatment is carried out correctly.

Midwives are forbidden from drawing up a biased report or issuing a certificate of convenience.

The midwife must endeavour to make it easier for her patient to obtain the social benefits to which her condition entitles her, without giving in to any abusive demands.

Any fraud, abuse of quotation, inaccurate indication of fees received and procedures performed are prohibited. The midwife must oppose any signature by another practitioner for procedures carried out by herself.

The midwife must not interfere in family matters.