Can I transfer to hospital?

Even if you have started labour at home, you can change your mind and go to hospital at any time. For example, some women and birthing people decide they don't feel as comfortable as they thought they would, or they want more pain relief. Whatever the reason, your midwife can organise a transfer.  

You will need a transfer to hospital if your labour isn't progressing or if there are any complications.  If this happens your midwife will explain your options and discuss why they think you need to be transferred.

Here are some reasons why you might get transferred to hospital during labour:  

• you've changed your mind
• you want stronger pain relief  
• your baby has done a poo before it is born (called 'meconium-stained liquor'), which can cause problems for your baby  
• you are bleeding from the vagina  
• labour is progressing too slowly
• you have a prolonged rupture of membranes (when your 'waters break' 18 or more hours before labour)
• your midwife has any concerns about your or the baby's wellbeing. Your journey to hospital will depend on the reason for transferring. Most of the time, a paramedic ambulance will be called for you, especially if you are approaching or in the pushing stage of labour. In the ambulance, you will have access to Entonox (gas and air) for pain relief if you are in labour.

Sometimes, it may be possible to go by car with your midwife following. In both cases, the midwife will come with you to hospital. They may be able to stay and keep caring for you, or another midwife on the ward might take over and look you after.

When you arrive on the ward, you should have a room or bed waiting for you because the midwife will call ahead. If it is an emergency, the team on the labour ward will know you are coming. The obstetric and neonatal doctors will be ready to look after you and your baby.

You may not need to use it, but you should pack a hospital bag just in case.