In a significant move that aligns with their increasing focus on community-based and collaborative care models, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has released a new position statement: Transfer Protocols for Out-of-Hospital Birth (2025). This guidance explicitly affirms that safe maternity care across levels and locations of care depends on clear, respectful, and
ACOG Takes an Important Step to Strengthen Transfer Systems for Community Birth
then updated January 7, 2026.
By Amy Romano, MBA, MSN, CNM, FACNM
New National Guidelines Strengthen Intermittent Auscultation in Community Birth Settings
then updated July 8, 2025.
By Amy Romano, MBA, MSN, CNM, FACNM
We’re proud to share that new national guidelines for fetal assessment using intermittent auscultation (IA) in community birth settings have just been published in Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care. These midwifery-led, peer-reviewed guidelines mark a critical step toward strengthening safety, clarity, and collaboration in home and birth center birth. The new guidelines were developed through
