Simple Yet Effective Ways That Nurses Can Support

Simple, Yet Effective Ways That Nurses Can Support Physiologic Labor Research shows that continuous labor support can be effective in improving outcomes for both mother and baby, as well as increasing the laboring persons satisfaction with their labor experience (1). July 2019 JBrown, RN

Simple, yet effective ways nurses can support physiologic labor… • Reassure laboring persons and family members that birth is a natural and often slow process (2). • Remember that even persons without pain (epidural) may have physical and emotional support needs (2). • Focus on teamwork. All friends, family members, and care providers are part of the laboring persons support team and share the common goal of a healthy delivery (2). • Laboring persons expect and want the support of a labor & delivery nurse. Your presence and experience matters (2). • Video: 5 positions to use that progress labor and reduce pain (only 3 minutes!) You can teach these to support persons as well. • Video: If you have a bit more time, this 14 minute video demonstrates 7 labor positions for a faster and easier birth (title of video, not our claim!). July 2019 JBrown, RN

Resources 1. Bohren MA, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, Fukuzawa RK, Cuthbert A. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 7. Art. No. : CD 003766. DOI: 10. 1002/14651858. CD 003766. pub 6. 2. Barrett SJ, Stark MA. Factors associated with labor support behaviors of nurses. J Perinat Educ. 2010; 19(1): 12– 18. doi: 10. 1624/105812410 X 481528 3. For more information on supporting physiologic birth, please be sure to visit the Published Resources and Toolkits section of our website: www. obstetricsinitiative. org/published-resourcestoolkits July 2019 JBrown, RN Archive location for OBI Quick Tips