I am a Virginian and a parent, and I believe that midwives in Virginia need to be able to carry and administer medications that are often required or requested at time of birth. State laws also require that a newborn be administered certain drugs within 24 hours of birth. Every licensed midwife is certified at the national level to carry and administer these medications, but the Virginia midwifery laws currently prevent them from carrying them or administering them.  This flaw in the law prevents midwives in Virginia from serving the public health and safety of Virginians to the best of their training, skills, and abilities.

Situations that are low risk and manageable within the home or community are, as a result, made into ordeals that at best inconvenience and at worst endanger the wellbeing of babies and mothers. If the barrier to the resources for which they are trained is removed, midwives could relieve the maternity care desert affecting nearly half of Virginians, who live outside a reasonable driving distance from a well stocked medical facility.

Licensed midwives are trained and certified to administer these medications; only the law prevents their acting on it.