Subsection 1: General duties of midwives.

I. – Midwives are free to communicate to the public, by any means, including on a website, information likely to contribute to the patient’s free choice of practitioner, relating in particular to their professional skills and practices, their career path and the conditions under which they practise. This communication must comply with the provisions in force and the ethical obligations defined in this section. It is fair and honest, does…

Midwives may not use the Association’s logo without the prior written authorisation of the Association’s national council. Nor may she use a pseudonym to practise her profession; if she does use one for activities related to her profession, she must declare this to the Conseil départemental de l’ordre.

Practitioners from other Member States of the European Union or the European Economic Area who have been granted partial access to the profession of midwife underarticle L. 4002-5 of the Public Health Code, when presenting their activity to the public, in particular on a website, are required to inform the public of the list of procedures they are authorised to perform. As part of their practice, these practitioners must clearly…

Midwives are prohibited from distributing remedies, appliances or any other products presented as having a health benefit for profit. They are prohibited from dispensing unauthorised medicines.

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.