Identifying labor support actions of intrapartum nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Maternal-Child Health
• Labor and Delivery

Background:

• Labor support is crucial for positive birth experiences.
• Understanding nurses' perspectives on labor support is essential for effective practice.
• Existing research often focuses on patient-reported outcomes, with less on nurse-defined actions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify specific nursing actions that characterize labor support from the nurse's viewpoint.
• To differentiate supportive nursing care from assessment and technical skills.
• To explore the primary goals of intrapartum nursing care.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive survey design utilizing a three-round Delphi technique.
• Involved intrapartum nurses from the United States, members of AWHONN (Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses).
• 186 nurses initially agreed to participate, with 87 completing all three survey rounds.

Main Results:

• Nurses identified 55 specific supportive nursing actions.
• These actions included psychosocial support (e.g., providing comfort to fearful mothers) and physical support (e.g., assisting with position changes).
• Nurses clearly distinguished supportive care from assessment and technical tasks, prioritizing safe outcomes for mother and newborn.

Conclusions:

• The identified nursing actions for labor support align with those reported by mothers in previous studies.
• Intrapartum nurses perceive a distinct difference between providing supportive care and performing technical nursing duties.
• The primary goals of intrapartum nursing are ensuring a safe outcome for both the mother and the newborn.