Patterns of transfer in labour and birth in rural New Zealand

Patterson, JA; Foureur, M; Skinne, JP

Patterns of transfer in labour and birth in rural New Zealand

Patterson, JA Foureur, M

Skinne, JP

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Rural and Remote Health, 2011, 11 (2)
Issue Date:: 2011-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Patterson, JA	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Foureur, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0454-0165	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Skinne, JP	en_US
dc.date.issued	2011-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Rural and Remote Health, 2011, 11 (2)	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1445-6354	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/18545
dc.description.abstract	Introduction: For many women, and particularly rural women, birthing locally and within their own community is important for personal, social and/or cultural reasons. If concerns about the woman or her baby mean transfer to a secondary or tertiary facility is necessary, this can be disruptive and stressful, especially if road transfer is complicated by terrain, weather or distance, as is often the case in rural New Zealand. The objective of this study was to explore the number of and reason for transfers during labour and birth for well women, close to full term, from primary rural maternity facilities to specialist care in rural New Zealand. Methods: This retrospective survey of 45 rural maternity units in the North and South Islands of New Zealand was conducted over a 2 year period ending on 30 June 2006. The participants were the 4678 women who began labour in a rural facility during this time period. Results: The survey response rate was 66.6%. The data revealed that 16.6% of women who commenced labour in a rural unit were transferred in labour or within 6 hours of birth; 3% of babies born in rural units were transferred after birth and up to 7 days post-birth. The primary reason for maternal transfer was slow progress in labour (49.67%). Of the 123 babies transferred, this was most often due to respiratory problems (43%). Key features of the rural context (times and distances to be travelled, geological and climatic characteristics, types of transport systems and availability of local assistance) influenced the timeliness of the decision to transfer. Conclusions: Within New Zealand's regionalised perinatal system, midwives make cautious decisions about transfer, taking into account the local rural local circumstances, and also the topography as it impacts on transport. © JA Patterson, M Foureur, JP Skinner, 2011.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Rural and Remote Health	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy Complications	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Patient Transfer	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Data Collection	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Retrospective Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Midwifery	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Labor, Obstetric	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Parturition	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Time Factors	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Rural Population	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Rural Health Services	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	New Zealand	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.title	Patterns of transfer in labour and birth in rural New Zealand	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	11	en_US
utslib.for	1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
utslib.for	1303 Specialist Studies in Education	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Midwifery
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	2	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	11	en_US

Abstract:

Introduction: For many women, and particularly rural women, birthing locally and within their own community is important for personal, social and/or cultural reasons. If concerns about the woman or her baby mean transfer to a secondary or tertiary facility is necessary, this can be disruptive and stressful, especially if road transfer is complicated by terrain, weather or distance, as is often the case in rural New Zealand. The objective of this study was to explore the number of and reason for transfers during labour and birth for well women, close to full term, from primary rural maternity facilities to specialist care in rural New Zealand. Methods: This retrospective survey of 45 rural maternity units in the North and South Islands of New Zealand was conducted over a 2 year period ending on 30 June 2006. The participants were the 4678 women who began labour in a rural facility during this time period. Results: The survey response rate was 66.6%. The data revealed that 16.6% of women who commenced labour in a rural unit were transferred in labour or within 6 hours of birth; 3% of babies born in rural units were transferred after birth and up to 7 days post-birth. The primary reason for maternal transfer was slow progress in labour (49.67%). Of the 123 babies transferred, this was most often due to respiratory problems (43%). Key features of the rural context (times and distances to be travelled, geological and climatic characteristics, types of transport systems and availability of local assistance) influenced the timeliness of the decision to transfer. Conclusions: Within New Zealand's regionalised perinatal system, midwives make cautious decisions about transfer, taking into account the local rural local circumstances, and also the topography as it impacts on transport. © JA Patterson, M Foureur, JP Skinner, 2011.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/18545