Bridging Birth
Connecting Care Across Birth Systems
About the Initiative
Bridging Birth: Connecting Care Across Birth Systems is a collaborative initiative led by Pacific Birth Collective in partnership with Smooth Transitions, a Washington-based nonprofit specializing in community birth transfers. Together with physician providers, nurses, community midwives & nurse midwives, we are developing a community birth transfer guideline for Maui that strengthens communication, coordination, and collaboration between community midwives and hospital-based maternity care teams. Our goal is to ensure that every family experiences safe, respectful, and compassionate care when a transfer to the hospital becomes necessary.
Why This Work Matters
Most pregnancies and births progress without complications, but when a transfer from a home birth or birth center ("community birth") to the hospital is needed, coordinated communication is essential. Whether planned or emergent, clear guidelines and trusted relationships help ensure safe, respectful, and seamless care for families and providers alike.
Our Vision
We envision a maternal healthcare system where every provider is valued as part of the care team and every family experiences coordinated, respectful care, regardless of where their birth journey begins.
What We're Building
The community birth transfer protocol is designed to:
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Strengthen communication between community birth providers and hospital teams.
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Support continuity of care during both emergent and non-emergent transfers.
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Clarify roles and expectations during the transfer process.
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Promote respectful interactions among all members of the care team.
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Improve the overall transfer experience for families.
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Includes quarterly Perinatal Transfer Committee Meetings to review the transfer protocol & make adjustments as necessary.
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Standardized Transfer Form (see below to download).
More Than a Guideline
This initiative is about more than developing written guidelines.
It represents a culture shift toward collaboration rather than division. Through facilitated conversations, shared learning, and relationship-building, community midwives, obstetricians, nurses, EMS, hospital leaders, and other partners are working together to strengthen trust and improve the experience of care across settings.
When providers know one another, communicate effectively, and share a commitment to family-centered care, everyone benefits.
What is the Perinatal Transfer Committee?
Improving perinatal transfers requires collaboration across the entire maternal and newborn care continuum. The Perinatal Transfer Committee brings together healthcare professionals from diverse disciplines who are committed to strengthening relationships, improving communication, and creating shared approaches to care.
The committee is intentionally multidisciplinary, recognizing that every member of the care team brings valuable expertise and perspective. By working together, we can create a stronger, more coordinated system of care for Hawaiʻi's mothers, babies, and families.
Committee members include representatives from:
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Community Midwives
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Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OB/GYNs)
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Certified Nurse Midwives
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Labor & Delivery Nurses
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Emergency Medical Services (EMS/EMTs)
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Additional community and healthcare partners as appropriate
Pacific Birth Collective serves as the convener and facilitator of this initiative. Rather than representing one clinical discipline or healthcare setting, Pacific Birth Collective provides the container for open dialogue, relationship-building, and collaborative problem-solving.
The Perinatal Transfer Committee meets quarterly. See below for more details.
Additional Information
Community Transfer Form
Created to be used by all.
If you need assistance with printing copies, please email policy@pacificbirthcollective.org
Perinatal Transfer Committee Meetings
Quarterly Review Meetings planned for:
- January 2027
- April 2027
- July 2027
- October 2027
*Mtg dates are subject to change.
To join these meetings, email policy@pacificbirthcollective.org