The authorized midwife plays a vital role in communities, providing essential health services that contribute to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates. However, her role intersects with legal responsibility, requiring her to adhere to strict standards and regulations to ensure the safety of mothers and newborns. While motivated by humanitarian values to offer assistance, she may find herself subject to legal accountability in the event of any medical error or exceeding her authorized scope of practice.<br /><br />Role of the Authorized Midwife in Society:<br /><br />An authorized midwife is a trained healthcare provider legally permitted to carry out natural childbirths at home or in rural health centers, especially in areas suffering from a shortage of advanced medical services. Her responsibilities include:<br /><br />Providing prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care for both mother and infant.<br />Assisting in natural deliveries and monitoring the newborn's health.<br />Offering advice on breastfeeding and child care.<br />Referring mothers to hospitals when more complex medical interventions are necessary.<br />Legal Responsibility of the Authorized Midwife:<br /><br />Despite the humanitarian nature of her work, the authorized midwife operates within a legal framework that governs her practice and defines her responsibilities and the limits of her authority. These responsibilities include:<br /><br />Adherence to Licensing and Training: The authorized midwife cannot practice without official authorization and accredited training from the relevant health authorities.<br />Operating Within Defined Boundaries: Her role is limited to natural deliveries; she is prohibited from managing cesarean sections or complicated births that require specialized medical intervention.<br />Documentation and Reporting: She must document each delivery and report any complications or suspicious cases to health authorities.<br />Liability in Cases of Medical Negligence: If medical negligence occurs leading to severe complications or death, the authorized midwife may face legal repercussions, ranging from financial fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the error.<br />Balancing Humanitarian Service and Legal Responsibility:<br /><br />The authorized midwife faces significant challenges in balancing her humanitarian mission with the need to avoid legal pitfalls. To achieve this balance, she must:<br /><br />Commit to continuous training to ensure safe healthcare delivery.<br />Exercise caution in cases that require advanced medical intervention and refer them to hospitals.<br />Follow medical and legal standards in all procedures she performs.<br />Collaborate with health authorities to ensure the safety of both mothers and children.<br />The authorized midwife represents a key element in the healthcare system, particularly in remote areas. While performing a noble humanitarian role in assisting mothers, she is also obligated to comply with the laws and regulations governing her practice. Achieving a balance between humanitarian service and legal responsibility ensures the safe and effective continuation of her role, thereby contributing to improved maternal and child health and reducing childbirth-related risks.<br />Sustainability Goals Addressed in the Article:<br /><br />This article is primarily linked to Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, as it emphasizes the importance of legal accountability, ethical standards, and governance within the context of healthcare services provided by authorized midwives.<br /><br />It also indirectly supports Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, by discussing the role of authorized midwives in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates and ensuring the delivery of essential healthcare services in underserved areas.<br /><br />Thus, the article contributes to both:<br /><br />Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.<br />Goal 16: Promote peace, justice, and strong institutions.<br />Al-Mustaqbal University is the leading private university in Iraq