Maternal morbidity associated with in utero transfer.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the extent of maternal morbidity associated with in utero transfer.


METHODS
Retrospective study of 190 consecutive cases over two years.


METHODS
Liverpool Maternity Hospital.


METHODS
190 Pregnant women were transferred to the hospital under the in utero transfer arrangements from district general hospitals both within and outside the Mersey region. The women admitted were divided into two categories: those in threatened or established uncomplicated preterm labour and those who may or may not have been in threatened or established preterm labour but who had coexisting complicating factors affecting the mother or fetus, or both.


METHODS
Planned delivery of the fetus if indicated and arrangements for appropriate postpartum care of the mother.


METHODS
Assessment of the progress of labour and, if appropriate, resuscitation of the mother.


RESULTS
Women who were transferred with no coexisting disease (124) had relatively uncomplicated deliveries whereas those transferred with coexisting diseases (66) exhibited considerable morbidity and 17 of these required prolonged intensive monitoring after delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
In utero transfer in healthy mothers may have benefits for babies born very prematurely. If mothers have coexisting disease, however, the desirability of transfer should be reviewed urgently in the light of the considerable maternal morbidity associated with these problems. In these cases transfer may introduce an additional hazard.
Ryan
T D
TD
Liverpool Maternity Hospital.
Kidd
G M
GM
D000328:Adult; D003422:Critical Care; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006782:Hospitals, Special / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000628:therapy; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D012306:Risk; D013997:Time Factors