Hi Lee
No one can deny that things can and sometimes do go wrong at birth, be that a home or hospital birth. Midwives are trained to look for any signs of things going wrong. Many of these things can be treated at home but sometimes it is better to go to the hospital. All IM’s should know their limitations and be afraid to transfer should the situation dictate.
Kelly is right when she says that “It also takes the same time to set up for surgery in the time it takes most people to get to hospital in an ambulance than already being there”. Should I need to transfer I would first call the ambulance then I would call the maternity unit and fully explain why I am transferring. By doing this the hospital is fully aware of the problems and are usually ready to go as the ambulance arrives.
Some of the equipment I carry include Oxygen (enough for about 45 minutes), bag and mask, suction, IV needles and fluids, a small amount of drugs, various tubes, suture equipment, lots of dressings.