Amazing Things Happen When Student Nurses Are Given Birth Doula Training

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Perinatal Health
• Doula Support

Background:

• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs aim to prepare nurses efficiently.
• Integrating specialized training like birth doula support can enhance clinical skills.
• Understanding the role of hormones in labor and birth is crucial for perinatal care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of Doulas of North America (DON) birth doula training on accelerated BSN students.
• To assess how this training complements existing nursing education and clinical experiences.
• To explore the development of skills in providing continuous physical and emotional support during the perinatal period.

Main Methods:

• Accelerated BSN students participated in a free Doulas of North America birth doula training program.
• Training focused on supporting women and families during prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum stages.
• Curriculum included understanding hormonal roles in physiologic labor and birth.

Main Results:

• Students gained skills in providing continuous physical and emotional support to women and families.
• Participants learned to function as team members in perinatal care.
• The training enhanced appreciation for the hormonal mechanisms supporting labor and birth.

Conclusions:

• Birth doula training is a valuable addition to accelerated BSN curricula.
• This training effectively complements classroom learning and clinical practice in perinatal nursing.
• Enhanced understanding of doula support and hormonal influences improves readiness for supporting women during childbirth.