Termination Laws in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand - Do They Align with Midwives' Scope of Practice?

Abstract

This article examines whether the current termination laws of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand align with the midwifery scope of practice. It begins with an introduction to termination of pregnancy from a health care perspective. An overview of previous and current legal frameworks in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand that impact upon the provision of termination of pregnancy health services is provided. Midwives' scope of practice is explained and the legal and administrative factors obstructing midwives' ability to work to their full scope are discussed. Midwives' needs to enable the provision of termination care are considered. The article concludes that the current laws are not supportive of midwives as termination care providers and their needs to realise their full scope of practice are not being met.