Alaska Admin. Code tit. 12, § 14.510
Consultation and referral
Effective Feb 22, 2023Alaska Register 245(Eff. 5/11/94, Register 130; am 5/2/2004, Register 170; am 10/18/2007, Register 184; am 3/2/2011, Register 197; am 9/9/2016, Register 219; am 2/22/2023, Register 245)
- (a) A certified direct-entry midwife shall consult with a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse providing obstetrical care whenever there are significant deviations, including significant abnormal laboratory results, relative to a client's pregnancy or to a neonate. If a referral is needed, the certified direct-entry midwife shall refer the client and, if possible, remain in consultation with the physician or advanced practice registered nurse until resolution of the cause of the deviation.
(b) A certified direct-entry midwife shall consult with a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse about any mother who presents with or develops risk factors that in the judgment of the certified direct-entry midwife warrant consultation or presents with or develops the following risk factors:
(1) antepartum
- (A) pregnancy induced hypertension, as evidenced by a blood pressure of 140/90 on at least two occasions greater than six hours apart;
- (B) persistent, severe headaches, epigastric pain, or visual disturbances;
- (C) persistent symptoms of urinary tract infection;
- (D) significant vaginal bleeding before the onset of labor not associated with uncomplicated spontaneous abortion;
- (E) rupture of membranes before the 37th week of gestation;
- (F) noted abnormal decrease in or cessation of fetal movement;
- (G) anemia resistant to supplemental therapy;
- (H) fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 39 degrees Celsius or greater for more than 24 hours;
- (I) unresolved hyperemesis or significant dehydration;
- (J) isoimmunization, Rh-negative sensitized, positive titers, or any other positive antibody titer that may have a detrimental effect on the mother or fetus;
- (K) elevated blood glucose levels unresponsive to dietary management;
- (L) positive HIV antibody test;
- (M) primary genital herpes infection in pregnancy;
- (N) symptoms of malnutrition or anorexia, protracted weight loss, or failure to gain weight;
- (O) suspected deep vein thrombosis;
- (P) documented placental previa;
- (Q) documented low lying placenta or placenta accreta in woman with history of previous cesarean delivery;
- (R) labor before the 37th week of gestation;
- (S) known fetal anomalies that may be affected by the site of birth;
- (T) marked abnormal fetal heart tones;
- (U) abnormal non-stress test or abnormal biophysical profile;
- (V) marked or severe poly or oligodydramnios;
- (W) evidence of intrauterine growth restriction; or
- (X) significant abnormal ultrasound findings;
(2) intrapartum
- (A) rise in blood pressure above baseline, more than 30/15 points or greater than 160/100;
- (B) persistent, severe headaches, epigastric pain, or visual disturbances;
- (C) significant proteinuria or ketonuria;
- (D) fever over 100.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius in absence of environmental factors;
- (E) ruptured membranes without onset of established labor after 24 hours;
- (F) significant bleeding before delivery or any abnormal bleeding, with or without abdominal pain; or evidence of placental abruption;
- (G) lie not compatible with spontaneous vaginal delivery or unstable fetal lie;
- (H) signs or symptoms of maternal infection;
- (I) active genital herpes at onset of labor;
- (J) fetal heart tones with non-reassuring patterns;
- (K) signs or symptoms of fetal distress;
- (L) thick meconium or frank bleeding with birth not imminent; or
- (M) physician consultation or transfer desired by the client or certified direct-entry midwife;
(3) postpartum
- (A) failure to void within 12 hours of birth;
- (B) signs or symptoms of maternal shock;
- (C) febrile symptoms or fever 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 39 degrees Celsius;
- (D) abnormal lochia or signs or symptoms of uterine sepsis;
- (E) suspected deep vein thrombosis; or
- (F) signs of clinically significant depression.
(c) A certified direct-entry midwife shall consult with a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse with regard to any neonate who is born with or develops
- (1) an Apgar score of six or less at five minutes without significant improvement by 10 minutes;
- (2) persistent grunting respirations or retractions;
- (3) persistent cardiac irregularities;
- (4) persistent central cyanosis or pallor;
- (5) persistent lethargy or poor muscle tone;
- (6) abnormal cry;
- (7) birth weight less than 2,300 grams;
- (8) jitteriness or seizures;
- (9) jaundice occurring before 24 hours or outside of normal range;
- (10) failure to urinate within 24 hours of birth;
- (11) failure to pass meconium within 48 hours of birth;
- (12) edema;
- (13) prolonged temperature instability;
- (14) significant signs or symptoms of infection;
- (15) significant clinical evidence of glycemic instability;
- (16) abnormal, bulging, or depressed fontanel;
- (17) significant clinical evidence of prematurity;
- (18) medically significant congenital anomalies;
- (19) significant or suspected birth injury;
- (20) persistent inability to suck;
- (21) diminished consciousness;
- (22) clinically significant abnormalities in vital signs, muscle tone, or behavior;
- (23) clinically significant color abnormality, cyanotic, or pale or abnormal perfusion;
- (24) abdominal distension or projectile vomiting; or
- (25) signs of clinically significant dehydration or failure to thrive.
(Eff. 5/11/94, Register 130; am 5/2/2004, Register 170; am 10/18/2007, Register 184; am 3/2/2011, Register 197; am 9/9/2016, Register 219; am 2/22/2023, Register 245)