Rule 3701-83-34 | General provisions - freestanding birthing centers.
(A) Freestanding birthing centers are licensed to provide care during pregnancy, birth, and the immediate postpartum period to the low-risk expectant mother and her newborn. Each center shall admit and retain only low-risk expectant mothers anticipating a normal full-term, spontaneous vaginal birth.
(B) Freestanding birthing centers shall consult with the attending physician or the CNM in consultation with the physician prior to providing services to low-risk expectant mothers exhibiting evidence of the following:
(1) Previous low transverse cesarean birth;
(2) Previous postpartum hemorrhage requiring treatment by transfusion;
(3) Epilepsy or seizures controlled by medication;
(4) Postmaturity (greater than forty-two weeks gestation);
(5) Grand multiparity;
(6) No prenatal care, sporadic prenatal care, or prenatal care beginning after the first trimester;
(7) Known or suspected drug or alcohol use;
(8) Cephalopelvic disproportion; or
(9) Other medical conditions, except those listed in paragraph (E) of rule 3701-83-33 of the Administrative Code.
(C) Unless medical intervention or non-routine technology can be safely performed or administered by an attending physician at the freestanding birthing center, each freestanding birthing center shall transfer a patient requiring medical intervention or non-routine technology to a hospital or other appropriate health care setting that can meet the patient's needs. Medical intervention or non-routine technology includes:
(1) Anesthetics other than local anesthetics or pudendal;
(2) Pharmacological augmentation of labor; or
(3) Forceps or vacuum extraction.
(D) If an attending physician at a freestanding birthing center performs or administers any medical intervention or non-routine technology under paragraph (C) of this rule, the attending physician must remain with the patient throughout active labor and the immediate postpartum period.
(E) Each freestanding birthing center shall provide a home-like environment with adequate space for furnishings, equipment and supplies to provide comfortable accommodations for the number of patients and families served and the personnel providing services.
(F) In addition to the requirements established under paragraph (F) of rule 3701-83-09 of the Administrative Code, each freestanding birthing center shall establish and enforce written policies and procedures for the following:
(1) Infection control for patients and families; and
(2) Handwashing for patients and families.
Last updated August 1, 2023 at 2:30 PM
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