Final answer:
Midwives, specifically certified nurse-midwives, may have the authority to prescribe Phenobarbital depending on state regulations, but lay or direct-entry midwives typically have more limited prescriptive authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability of a midwife to write prescriptions for Phenobarbital can vary depending on the country and state, as well as the specific regulations and scope of practice laws that govern midwifery in the region. Generally, midwives may be allowed to prescribe medications, including controlled substances, if they are certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and have the appropriate authority delegated by their state's laws.
In the United States, for example, CNMs have prescriptive authority in all 50 states, though the extent of that authority, including prescribing medications like Phenobarbital, can differ from state to state.
For midwives who are not nurse-midwives, such as lay midwives or direct-entry midwives, the ability to prescribe medications is typically more limited and often does not include controlled substances like Phenobarbital.