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WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES OF TRANSFER FROM A MIDWIFE‐LED TO A CONSULTANT‐LED MATERNITY UNIT IN THE UK DURING LATE PREGNANCY AND LABOR
Author(s) -
Walker Jan,
Psychol C.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
the journal of midwifery and womens health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1542-2011
pISSN - 1526-9523
DOI - 10.1016/s1526-9523(99)00048-3
Subject(s) - anger , resentment , unit (ring theory) , nursing , pregnancy , medicine , grounded theory , psychology , distress , social psychology , qualitative research , sociology , political science , clinical psychology , social science , mathematics education , politics , biology , law , genetics
Purpose: This study explored the experiences of women who were transferred from a midwife‐led to a distant consultant obstetric unit before or during labor. Background: Little attention is given to the psychological impact of transfer, particular when it takes place prior to labor. Method: Narrative and progressively focused interviews were conducted with 18 women who faced or experienced transfer prior to or during labor. The data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Results: The core category in the transferred group was loss. This related to loss of choice, control, continuity, and support and was associated with anger and resentment. Distress appeared most common when transfer took place late in a healthy pregnancy when the mother recognized no risk to the baby. Conclusions: More attention needs to be paid to the psychological impact of transfer from midwife‐led to consultant‐led care, particularly where this involves a change of location or midwife.