Transfer from a homebirth

While not expected, it is always possible to transfer from home into hospital either before of after the birth of your baby. The reported number of planned homebirths and transfer rates to hospital in NSW from 1994 to 1998 ranged from approximately 20% to 35% (Homebirths in Australia are known to be significantly underreported). This includes women who ask to go to hospital for reasons such as pain relief. Women having their 1st baby are more likely to require transfer for reasons such as the labour not progressing.

During your pregnancy or when choosing your homebirth caregiver, discuss transfer and the circumstances that could mean a transfer. Make plans for where you would transfer to and how you would get there (if it is an emergency you will probably need an ambulance).

Take into consideration:

	How far are you away from the hospital / ambulance service?
	Do you have a phone connected to call for help and / or does your area have reliable mobile phone reception?
	Do you need to organise a boat or plane if on an island or in an isolated area?
	What if weather conditions are poor and you are in an isolated area?
	Is your closest hospital a maternity hospital and can they cater for very sick babies?
	Can you book into this hospital in advance? (This is ideal)
	Will your midwife accompany you and stay with you in hospital?
	If they do, what will their role be?
	How do you or your partner feel about transfer if needed?
	What are the boundaries or limits for you to continue to stay at home?
	What is reasonable? What is risky? (Be aware that your interpretation and your caregiver's interpretation can differ either conservatively or liberally on this point and may need clarification).

or View All