Perinatal care and NPs

​Pregnancy care can raise questions for Nurse p​ractitioners (NPs): What's within my scope? When should I consult or transfer care? ​

NPs can provide perinatal care and there are important considerations to keep in mind. Understanding your role, relevant standards of practice, and when to collaborate with other providers helps ensure safe, competent, ethical, and client-centred care. 

Scope of practice​

Nurse practitioners may provide care for people during pregnancy, depending on their individual knowledge and skills (competence). Currently, BCCNM does not place any limits or conditions on NPs when it comes to caring for clients before birth (antenatal) or after birth (postpartum). NPs must meet other relevant practice standards such as advanced procedures and activities, consultation, and referral.   

B.C.'s nursing regulation and hospital privileging systems do not allow NPs to provide intrapartum care (care during labour and delivery) as the primary care provider.

​When their clients become pregnant, NPs need to consider at what point in the pregnancy they should transfer care of the client to a primary perinatal care provider (e.g., physician, midwife). This professional decision is based on factors such as: 

• The health and risk factors of the client and baby
• The NP's own competence and comfort level with providing perinatal care
• The client's and care providers' preferences

• Perinatal services available in the community​​ 

NPs in communities where perinatal care services are limited collaborate with other providers to ensure the client's needs are met. 

Standards to keep in​ mind

​NPs are expected to: 

• Practise within their own level of competence and the Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners.
  

• Follow BCCNM's Professional Standards for Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses, the Duty to Provide Care practice standard, and the advanced procedures and activities standards.
• ​Consult with or refer to anot​her health professional when a client's needs go beyond NP scope, individual competence, or when another provider's expertise would benefit the client (see consultation and referral)​.
  

​Resources

• ​​Perinatal Services BC Pregnancy & Parent Learning Centre​