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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Maternal and neonatal transfers from midwife-led birth centres in Switzerland: A nationwide population-based analysis
1
Geneva School of Health Sciences- HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, GENeva MIdwifery Research unit GENMIR, Geneva, Switzerland
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A496
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Midwife-led birth centres (MLBCs) aim to provide safe, low-intervention care to women with low-risk pregnancies. In Switzerland, the proportion of births taking place in MLBCs has increased over time, from 0.5% (n=338) in 2010 to 1.9% (n=1503) in 2022. Ensuring perinatal safety remains a priority for midwives. Neonatal transfers represent a key indicator of perinatal safety, as they typically reflect complications that exceed the resources or scope of care available in MLBCs.
OBJECTIVES:
We aimed to describe the frequency of maternal and neonatal transfers after births in Swiss MLBCs and to identify factors associated with these transfers.
METHODS:
We analysed data from the medical statistics database from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, encompassing all 14,281 births in MLBCs between 2010 and 2022. Cases with incomplete data (n = 292) were excluded. We used Random Forest and multivariable logistic regression to identify characteristics associated with neonatal transfer, adjusting for gestational age, maternal age, and maternal nationality.
RESULTS:
Maternal transfers were rare (0.3%). Neonatal transfers occurred in 2.0% of births occurring in Swiss MLBCs, aligning with the national average (2.6%). Their main indications were hypoxia (0.8% of Swiss MLBC births) and respiratory distress (0.4% of Swiss MLBC births). Predictive modelling identified primiparity, and small for gestational age (SGA < 3rd percentile) as the most influential factors. Logistic regression confirmed significantly increased odds of neonatal transfer in cases of primiparity (aOR 1.68 CI 1.30- 2.18), and SGA (aOR 2.32 CI 95% 1.16- 4.15).
CONCLUSIONS:
Swiss MLBCs achieve low neonatal transfer rates, comparable to international standards, reflecting the appropriate selection of eligible women. SGA and primiparity are key factors for anticipatory care.
KEY MESSAGE:
These findings support the importance of risk-based selection and monitoring protocols to ensure safety in low-intervention birth settings and highlight the value of identifying predictors to optimise care pathways. Poster session 1 (Group A)
Midwife-led birth centres (MLBCs) aim to provide safe, low-intervention care to women with low-risk pregnancies. In Switzerland, the proportion of births taking place in MLBCs has increased over time, from 0.5% (n=338) in 2010 to 1.9% (n=1503) in 2022. Ensuring perinatal safety remains a priority for midwives. Neonatal transfers represent a key indicator of perinatal safety, as they typically reflect complications that exceed the resources or scope of care available in MLBCs.
OBJECTIVES:
We aimed to describe the frequency of maternal and neonatal transfers after births in Swiss MLBCs and to identify factors associated with these transfers.
METHODS:
We analysed data from the medical statistics database from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, encompassing all 14,281 births in MLBCs between 2010 and 2022. Cases with incomplete data (n = 292) were excluded. We used Random Forest and multivariable logistic regression to identify characteristics associated with neonatal transfer, adjusting for gestational age, maternal age, and maternal nationality.
RESULTS:
Maternal transfers were rare (0.3%). Neonatal transfers occurred in 2.0% of births occurring in Swiss MLBCs, aligning with the national average (2.6%). Their main indications were hypoxia (0.8% of Swiss MLBC births) and respiratory distress (0.4% of Swiss MLBC births). Predictive modelling identified primiparity, and small for gestational age (SGA < 3rd percentile) as the most influential factors. Logistic regression confirmed significantly increased odds of neonatal transfer in cases of primiparity (aOR 1.68 CI 1.30- 2.18), and SGA (aOR 2.32 CI 95% 1.16- 4.15).
CONCLUSIONS:
Swiss MLBCs achieve low neonatal transfer rates, comparable to international standards, reflecting the appropriate selection of eligible women. SGA and primiparity are key factors for anticipatory care.
KEY MESSAGE:
These findings support the importance of risk-based selection and monitoring protocols to ensure safety in low-intervention birth settings and highlight the value of identifying predictors to optimise care pathways. Poster session 1 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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