Transfers of women planning birth in midwifery units: Data from the Birthplace prospective cohort study

Objective To examine the percentage of women transferred, reasons for transfer and factors associated with the transfer of women planning birth in midwifery units (MUs). Design Prospective cohort study. Setting All freestanding midwifery units (FMUs) and alongside midwifery units (AMUs) in England. Participants Twenty-nine thousand, two hundred and forty-eight eligible women with a singleton, term and 'booked' pregnancy, planning birth in an MU between April 2008 and April 2010. Methods Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with transfer. Main outcome measures Transfer during labour or within 24 hours of birth. Results Over one in four women were transferred from AMUs and over one in five from FMUs. In both types of MU, compared with multiparous women aged 25-29 years, nulliparous women aged