Table 1 Interview topic guide

Introduce topic: experience of transfer from birth centre/midwifery unit where you planned to give birth to the hospital unit where you had your baby. Invite to tell story in as much detail as possible.

Extra questions to follow up:

Antenatal:

Reasons for deciding to have your baby in the midwifery unit / birth centre?

Information given about the possibility of transfer? Written/verbal? Was it what you needed?

Knowledge beforehand about why might be transferred and process?

Anything you wish you’d known beforehand?

During labour (before transfer):

First inklings of complications / need for transfer: when, why, midwife communication, feelings?

Understanding about reasons for transfer? Risks/benefits? Choice? Feelings?

Transfer process? Knowledge, explanations, midwife accompany?

Expectations of obstetric unit?

Anything you would have liked but didn’t have?

Waiting? Ambulance staff? Husband / partner accompanying? Feelings?

During transfer:

Describe journey? Midwife? Ambulance staff? Husband?

Arrival at hospital / delivery suite:

Communication / handover? Midwife continues to look after you?

Hospital vs. midwifery unit? How did it feel?

Husband / birth partner?

After the birth:

Explanation afterwards?

Feelings then and now? Information and support you needed?

Now:

How do you feel about the whole experience now? Ongoing problems/ worries?

Thinking about choice of place of birth? Feelings?

Advice to others? Plans for next baby?

To close:

Anything that could have been done to make whole experience better?

Anything to say to midwives? Suggestions for improvements?