There is no uniform code for the licensing of midwives in the US. The US does not require any formal education beyond a high school diploma and a questionable certification test to become a midwife.
Where Canada, UK, and Australia have one form of highly educated midwife that is a recognized part of the medical community, the US has several types of people that feel they are midwives. This lack of regulation allows people with little or no formal medical education to proclaim themselves midwives. When emergencies occur families are left with no legal recourse.
It is time that the midwife community was brought into the modern era. They are performing in a medical capacity and as such should be held to a set standard of education and certification, such as Certified Nurse Midwives have.