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Likelihood of being transferred out of a birthing center has been estimated at one in four women; however, this figure relies on small studies. Researchers in England analyzed data from the Birthplace national prospective cohort study to assess rates of transfer out of midwife-staffed in-hospital or freestanding birthing centers during or immediately after labor and delivery in more than 29,000 women. Exclusion criteria included elective cesarean delivery or cesarean delivery before onset of labor.
In all, 25% of women transferred out of birthing centers; rates were 21% for in-hospital centers and 27% for freestanding centers. Likelihood of being transferred during labor was greater for in-hospital than for freestanding centers. By contrast,…