Table 2.
Transfers to hospital among 5418 women intending home births with a certified professional midwife in the United States, 2000, according to timing, urgency, and reasons
| Variable | No (%) needing urgent transfer | No (%) needing transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Timing of transfers | ||
| Stage before delivery: | ||
| 1st* | 62 (1.1) | 380 (7.0) |
| 2nd* | 51 (0.9) | 134 (2.5) |
| Not specified | 4 (0.1) | 32 (0.6) |
| After delivery: | ||
| Maternal transfers | 43 (0.8) | 72 (1.3) |
| Newborn transfers | 25 (0.5) | 37 (0.7) |
| All | 185 (3.4) | 655 (12.1) |
| Reasons for transfer† | ||
| During labour: | ||
| Failure to progress in 1st stage | 4 (0.1) | 227 (4.2) |
| Failure to progress in 2nd stage | 12 (0.2) | 80 (1.5) |
| Pain relief | 4 (0.1) | 119 (2.2) |
| Maternal exhaustion | 1 (<0.1) | 112 (2.1) |
| Malpresentation | 20 (0.4) | 94 (1.7) |
| Thick meconium | 13 (0.2) | 49 (0.9) |
| Sustained fetal distress | 31 (0.6) | 49 (0.9) |
| Baby's condition | 5 (0.1) | 21 (0.4) |
| Prolonged or premature rupture of membranes | 0 | 19 (0.4) |
| Placenta abruptio or placenta previa | 5 (0.1) | 10 (0.2) |
| Haemorrhage | 5 (0.1) | 7 (0.1) |
| Pre-eclampsia or hypertension | 5 (0.1) | 13 (0.2) |
| Cord prolapse | 3 (0.1) | 6 (0.1) |
| Breech | 1 (<0.1) | 3 (0.1) |
| Other | 9 (0.2) | 17 (0.3) |
| Post partum: | ||
| Newborn transfers: | ||
| Respiratory problems | 14 (0.3) | 33 (0.6) |
| Evaluation of anomalies | 2 (<0.1) | 8 (0.1) |
| Other reasons | 9 (0.2) | 17 (0.3) |
| Maternal transfers: | ||
| Haemorrhage | 21 (0.4) | 34 (0.6) |
| Retained placenta | 14 (0.3) | 28 (0.5) |
| Suturing or repair of tears | 1 (<0.1) | 14 (0.2) |
| Maternal exhaustion | 2 (<0.1) | 4 (0.1) |
| Other reasons | 5 (0.1) | 8 (0.1) |
*
104 of these women were transferred to hospital after midwives' first assessment of labour (1.9% of labours), 38 of which were considered urgent.
†
Totals for urgent transfers are based on primary reason for transport only, but column for all transfers adds up to more than number transported as both primary and secondary reason (if reported) for transport to hospital are presented.