An exploration of intrapartum ambulance transfer to an obstetric unit

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  An exploration of ambulance transfer of labouring women to an obstetric unit where birth is planned at home or in a free-standing midwifery unit (FMU): a qualitative case study

• IRAS ID

  237082

• Contact name

  Pat Jones

• Contact email

  phl6paj@leeds.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Leeds

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 6 months, 26 days

• Research summary

  Approximately 4.4% of pregnant women in England will opt to give birth at home or in a free-standing midwifery unit (FMU - a unit run by midwives and located away from a hospital. These settings provide low risk women with more personalised care, fewer interventions during labour and birth, and improved birth outcomes. However, the need to transfer a woman to hospital (obstetric unit) by ambulance can arise during the woman’s labour – with transfer rates of 16.5% from a FMU and 14% from home (Hollowell et al, 2011).
  Previous studies on transfer have focused mainly on the reasons for and outcomes of transfer; the women’s experiences and midwives’ decision making; with very limited evidence on the experiences of birth partners and ambulance staff. From the woman’s perspective, the event can be distressing both physically and emotionally, whilst midwives often struggle with the decision to move a woman from her preferred place of birth. The aim of this study is to explore the experience of ambulance transfer of women in labour, from the perspectives of the woman, her birth partner, the midwife and ambulance crew, using a case study approach, where each transfer episode is viewed as a ‘whole’ and unique event.
  Data collection will involve individual interviews with women, their birth partners, midwives and ambulance staff post transfer. In addition, documentary analysis of current policies and guidelines relating to ambulance transfer will be conducted, and which will be used to inform the development of the interview questions and in the data analysis, as well as comparing this information against national guidance.
  The purpose of this study is to gain an in-depth insight into what happens during the transfer in order to inform and develop this important aspect of maternity care.
  References:
  Hollowell, J., Puddicombe, D., Rowe, R., Linsell, L., Hardy, P., Stewart, M., Redshaw, M., Newburn, M., McCourt, C., Sandall, J., Macfarlane, A., Silverton, l. and Brocklehurst, P. 2011. The Birthplace national prospective cohort study: perinatal and maternal outcomes by planned place of birth Birthplace in England research programme Final report part 4. HMSO, London

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  18/YH/0065

• Date of REC Opinion

  1 Mar 2018

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion