06/02/2026
Lots of legal stuff floating around out there about midwifery in PA, but this should clear some things up. PA is happily a midwifery friendly state 🤍
This flyer was brought to the attention of midwives across South Central Pennsylvania today. On behalf of PAMA, the Pennsylvania Midwives Alliance, we want to reassure families and community members that non-nurse midwives are NOT about to become illegal in Pennsylvania. This flyer is misleading.
Discussions with the Department of Health, legislators, and other stakeholders have consistently indicated that Act 14 of 2026 does not regulate, prohibit, or change the status of Direct-Entry Midwives, Traditional Midwives, or Certified Professional Midwives. At this time, there is no known threat to a family’s ability to choose community-based maternity care or the provider of their choice.
While we respect that some individuals and organizations are pursuing litigation regarding the 1929 Midwife Act, many community midwives across Pennsylvania do not believe a lawsuit against the Commonwealth is the most productive path forward. We believe the future of community midwifery is best advanced through collaboration, public engagement, education, professional organization, and constructive dialogue with families, healthcare systems, legislators, and state agencies.
We support efforts that protect birth choice, preserve access to community-based care, promote informed consent and transparency, strengthen professionalism and peer review, and recognize the diversity of traditional, apprenticeship-based, and direct-entry midwifery pathways.
The majority of community midwives continue to practice as usual and do not currently view legal action as necessary. Families who are approached regarding donations or fundraising efforts and have questions are encouraged to speak with their own midwife and seek multiple perspectives before making a decision.
We believe Pennsylvania midwifery is strongest when built on professionalism, public trust, respectful dialogue, and solutions-focused advocacy that protects both families and community birth providers.