Indications for transfer for childbirth in women served by the Innuulisivik maternity

• Main Author: Chatwood, Susan
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: McGill University 1996
• Subjects: Health Sciences; Epidemiology; Hudson; inuit
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=19777

The Innuulisivik: maternity is a northern based service in Povungnituk, Quebec which serves the Inuit women of the Hudson Coast. Although most women stay in the north for childbirth, others are transferred south. This thesis will describe the experience of the Innuulisivik: maternity which uses committee based risk assessment for transfer decisions. Data for the three year period 1989 -1991 were examined. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the observed differences in the distribution of several variables according to birthplace. Data were available for 411 women. 350 (85.2%) of the births occurred at Innuulisivik, 44 (10.7 %) women were transferred and 17 (4.1 %) were nursing station births. In 4/5 of all transfers, clinical conditions were identified which in themselves usually require transfer. Premature labour was prevalent in the transfer group. The data demonstrates that risk scoring by consensus is a viable option for northern birthing units. Finally logistical and cultural factors should be included for meaningful risk assessment in the north.