ABSTRACT
The unbooked woman presenting to the labour ward should be admitted under the consultant on call at that time. The midwife should admit the woman and determine whether she has attended any hospital previously. The midwife should complete an admission form and then telephone the administrative department to obtain a hospital number. The senior house officer on call should see woman and, after taking a full social, medical/surgical and obstetric history, inform the specialist registrar who should review woman and formulate the care plan. If the labouring woman has notes, she should be admitted as per the labour ward admission protocol. If the woman is in labour and recent blood results are not available, blood must be taken and sent as urgent specimens for full blood count and blood group. The hospital in which the woman is booked should be contacted and informed that she has been admitted and that she has or will be delivering at an alternate hospital.
