Midwives' experiences of transfer in labour from a Western Australian birth centre to a tertiary maternity hospital.

CONCLUSION: Midwives acknowledged the challenge of finding the balance between fulfilling parents' birth plan wishes with hospital protocol and maintaining safety. Transfer for fetal or maternal compromise caused anxiety and concern. The benefits of providing continuity of care were acknowledged by the midwife's knowledge of the woman and her history but these were not always recognised by the receiving team. Discussing the transfer story afterwards helped midwives review their practice. Effective communication between all stakeholders is essential throughout the transfer process.
PMID: 26243498 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Women Birth - August 1, 2015 Category: Midwifery Authors: Kuliukas LJ, Lewis L, Hauck YL, Duggan R Tags: Women Birth Source Type: research