Effective Communication During a Homebirth Transfer to Hospital

Abstract

Although the likelihood of a women requiring transfer is low, all midwives should be familiar with the process of requesting an emergency transfer, the time they can expect to wait before an ambulance arrival and any additional interventions required with the ambulance crew.1 Communication and teamwork are key skills to support a safe and reassuring transfer and minimise a traumatic experience for the birthing woman, partner, midwives and ambulance clinicians.1,2 Midwifery transfers fall into two categories: those that are not immediately life threatening to the woman and her baby and those in which interventions may be necessary and ongoing while emergency assistance is requested.3