Background: Endotracheal intubation is the most common way to establish an airway and ventilate newborn lungs during an extensive neonatal resuscitation. Intubation, however, is a difficult skill that must be maintained and with infrequent opportunities to practice, it is not a safe tool for Licensed Midwives (LMs) in Washington State to use. The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is an alternative device that may aid LMs who need to perform neonatal resuscitation.

Purpose: Interview LMs in Washington State about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices with the LMA.

Methods: Washington State LMs were recruited via email and postal service to participate in the interview. After consent was obtained, interviews were conducted, and the responses were analyzed for quantitative and qualitative data.

Results: Seven LMs were interviewed. Six (85%) had heard of the LMA but only two (28%) had been trained to use the device. None of the LMs had real-life experience with the LMA. Five (71%) LMs were interested in LMA training.

Conclusions: LMs in Washington State should be offered LMA training.