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Support for Labor
Activities
Discussion
Individual reflection
Resources
PFB book pages 34 – 35 PowerPoint slides 77 – 78
Labor Support poster
Support is essential to a laboring woman. The people she chooses to provide support during labor should be aware of her goals and prepared to protect her privacy and need for respect.
Discussion Prompts
• What people do you plan to have supporting you during labor?
• What jobs or roles do you see them having?
• Are there things you don’ t want your labor support people to do?
Key Points
• ACOG recommendations: continuous one-to-one emotional support improves outcomes.
• Support roles:
• Support people: partner, family member( s), friends, doula.
• Expectations and possible tasks for support people: positioning, massage, encouragement, advocate, minimize distractions and communicate.
• Doula:
• Role: emotional, physical and information support by a trained professional.
• Scope of practice: works along side partner or other support people. Does not provide medical care or advice. May work alone or as part of a group.
• Benefits: research has shown many significant benefits of doula support, including lower use of interventions, lower cesarean rates and much higher rates of maternal satisfaction.
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MIND AND BODY
© AndreyPopov
© PLUMTREE BABY, LLC
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