“ Birth Center or childbirth center” means a type of maternity home which is a house, building, or equivalent organized to provide facilities and staff to support a birth service, provided that the birth service is limited to low-risk maternity clients during the intrapartum period. (4)

“Maternity home’ means any home, place, hospital or institution in which facilities are maintained for the care of four or more women not related by blood or marriage to the operator during pregnancy or within 10 days after delivery. (14)

“Midwife” means an individual recognized by the Washington state board of nursing as a certified nurse midwife as provided in chapter 18.88 RCW, chapter 308-120 WAC, or an individual possessing valid, current license to practice midwifery in the state of Washington as provided in chapter 18.50 RCW.

“Low-risk maternal client: means an individual

a.       Is in general good health with uncomplicated prenatal course and participating in ongoing prenatal care.

b.      Is participating in an appropriate childbirth and infant care education program.

c.       Has no major medical problems.

d.      Has no previous major uterine wall surgery, caesarean section, or obstetrical complication likely to recur.

e.       Has parity under six unless a justification for a variation is documented by clinical staff.

f.        In not a nullipara of greater than thirty-eight years of age unless a justification for a variation is documented by clinical staff.

g.       Is not less than sixteen years of age unless a justification for a variation for ages fourteen through fifteen only is documented by clinical staff.

h.      Has not significant signs or symptoms of pregnancy-induced hypertension, polyhydramnios or olighydramnios, abruptio placenta, chorioamnionitis, multiple gestation, intrauterine growth retardation, meconium stained amniotic fluid, fetal complications, or substance abuse.

i.        Demonstrates no significant signs or symptoms of anemia, active herpes genitalis, pregnancy-induced hypertension, placenta previa, malpositioned fetus, or breech while in active labor.

j.         In labor, progressing normally.

k.      Is without prolonged rupture of membranes.

l.        Is not in preterm labor nor postterm gestation.

m.   Is appropriate for a setting where analgesia is limited.

n.     Is appropriate for a setting where anesthesia is using in limited amounts and limited to local infiltration of the perineum or pudental block.