As used in this part:

1. (1) “Administrator” means an individual designated to provide daily supervision and administration of the freestanding birthing center;
2. (2) “Certified nurse midwife” means a trained and licensed advanced practice nurse in accordance with the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act, Arkansas Code § 17-87-314 et seq.;
3. (3) “Complications” means any condition according to written risk criteria of the freestanding birthing center that contraindicates continued care in the freestanding birthing center;

4. (4)

   1. (A) “Freestanding birthing centers” means any facility that is organized to provide family-centered maternity care in which births are planned to occur in a home-like atmosphere away from the mother’s usual residence following a low-risk pregnancy.

   2. (B) The facility shall not provide operative obstetrics including use of:

      1. (i) Forceps;
      2. (ii) Vacuum extractions;
      3. (iii) Caesarean sections; or
      4. (iv) Tubal ligations.

   3. (C) The freestanding birthing center must be located within thirty (30) minutes of a hospital, via ambulance, that:

      1. (i) Offers obstetric and nursery services; and
      2. (ii) Maintains an on-call team to provide emergency C-sections and stabilization of infants;
5. (5) “Large freestanding birthing center” means a birthing center comprised of four (4) or more birthing rooms with an exam room;

6. (6) “Low-risk pregnancy” means:

   1. (A) A normal uncomplicated pregnancy as determined by a generally accepted course of prenatal care; and
   2. (B) The expectation of a normal uncomplicated birth as defined by a reasonable and generally accepted criteria of maternal and fetal health;
7. (7) “Medical director” means a person licensed to practice medicine in the State of Arkansas;
8. (8) “Preterm” means before the end of the thirty-seventh week of gestation;

9. (9)

   1. (A) “Professional Review Committee” shall be composed of at least three (3) members.

   2. (B) The members shall include:

      1. (i) A physician with advanced training in obstetrics;
      2. (ii) One (1) certified nurse midwife; and/or
      3. (iii) One (1) registered nurse, required for large freestanding birthing centers;
10. (10) “Qualified physician” means a person licensed to practice medicine in the State of Arkansas who has obstetrical privileges at the licensed hospital;

11. (11) “Small freestanding birthing center” means a birthing center:

    1. (A) Comprised of three (3) or fewer birthing rooms; and
    2. (B) Occupied by fewer than four (4) patients, not including newborns, at any time; and
12. (12) “Term” means at thirty-seven (37) weeks’ gestation or greater.