Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) “Approved midwifery program” means a midwifery training program approved by the department pursuant to s. 467.205.

(2) “Certified nurse midwife” means a person who is licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse under part I of chapter 464 and who is certified to practice midwifery by the American College of Nurse Midwives.

(3) “Council” means the Council of Licensed Midwifery.

(4) “Department” means the Department of Health.

(5) “Intrapartal” means occurring during the process of giving birth.

(6) “Licensure” means authorization and license granted by the department for a person to engage in the practice of midwifery.

(7) “Midwife” means any person not less than 21 years of age, other than a licensed physician or certified nurse midwife, who is licensed under this chapter to supervise the birth of a child.

(8) “Midwifery” means the practice of supervising the conduct of a normal labor and childbirth, with the informed consent of the parent; the practice of advising the parents as to the progress of the childbirth; and the practice of rendering prenatal and postpartal care.

(9) “Normal labor and childbirth” means the physiological process of a healthy woman giving birth to a healthy infant and expelling an intact placenta, without injury, complications, or undue strain to the mother.

(10) “Physician” means a person licensed to practice medicine as authorized in chapter 458 or chapter 459.

(11) “Postpartal” or “postpartum” means existing or occurring subsequent to birth.

(12) “Preceptor” means a physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, a midwife licensed under this chapter, or a certified nurse midwife licensed under chapter 464 who has a minimum of 3 years’ professional experience and who directs, teaches, supervises, and evaluates the learning experiences of a student midwife as part of an approved midwifery program.

(13) “Prelicensure course” means a course of study, offered by an accredited midwifery program and approved by the department, which an applicant for licensure must complete before a license may be issued and which provides instruction in the laws and rules of this state and demonstrates the student’s competency to practice midwifery under this chapter.

(14) “Prenatal” or “antepartal” means occurring during pregnancy up to the point of onset of labor.

(15) “Stillbirth” means the death of a fetus of more than 20 weeks’ gestation.