Medical retrieval of pregnant women in labour: A scoping review
Medical retrieval of pregnant women in labour: A scoping review
Australasian Emergency Care
- Author(s): McInnes, Jessica, Honan, Bridget, Johnson, Richard, Durup, Cheryl, Venkatesh, Ajay, William Gardiner, Fergus, Schultz, Rebecca, Spring, Breeanna
- Published: 2022
- ISBN: 2588-994X
Abstract: Background Remote Australian women in labour often rely on retrieval services to allow birthing in specialist obstetric centres. However, there is currently debate over when not to transfer a woman in labour, for risk of an in-transit birth, associated with worse neonatal outcomes. Methods A scoping review methodology was undertaken, to define the scope of published literature on the topic and identify gaps in the current knowledge. Results A total of seven full texts were deemed suitable for synthesis, which were all retrospective observational studies. Four themes from the studies’ findings were identified: population features, predicting time-to-birth, use of tocolysis and birth during medical evacuation. Conclusion The evidence identified in this review was of low methodological quality and heterogenous. The key findings were that births in-flight are rare, despite geographical distances and long transport times, with a knowledge gap on predictors of time-to-birth.
- Urls: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2588994X22000859
- Keywords: Emergency medical services, Ambulances, Obstetric labour, Midwifery, Rural health services