Document Type
Poster
Session Format
Graduate Research Poster (no oral presentation)
Location
Magnolia Ballroom
Publication Date
2024
Faculty Advisor
Monica Ketchie
Start Date
27-3-2024 10:00 AM
End Date
3-2024 10:50 AM
Abstract
Background
Birth in the United States leans towards a medicalized approach, overlooking the advantages of physiologic birth. Physiologic birth is a natural approach to childbirth, without medical interventions. Intrapartum nurses play an integral role in caring for caring for women during labor by providing continuous labor support. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbated nursing shortages and increased nurse to patient ratios have made it increasingly challenging for intrapartum nurses to provide continuous labor support to their patients. The aim of this DNP project is to gain insight into the beliefs of intrapartum nurses regarding childbirth and how these beliefs impact their approach to either medicalized or physiologic birth and whether they are supportive of doulas as part of the obstetrical team.
Methods
This DNP project used a cross-sectional correlational study design of intrapartum nurses at three facilities in Georgia. A Likert-type questionnaire with open-ended qualitative survey was administered to intrapartum nurses using a convenience sampling method.
Results
Among the project participants, the majority of IP nurses had birth beliefs supportive of physiologic birth practices. Older nurses with more years of experience and in rural geographic facility settings had higher scores [IPNBBP] indicating stronger physiologic birth beliefs. Although intrapartum nurses minimally agreed they understood the formal training of doulas, those with higher self-efficacy scores understood the role of the doula.
Conclusion
Disseminating these findings in these facilities, strategies may lead to strategies to support intrapartum nurses towards physiologic birth practices and improve collaborative efforts to improve access and utilization of doulas as part of the obstetrical team.
Recommended Citation
Schwartz, Karen, "Promoting Physiologic Maternity Care by Improving Access to Doulas" (2024). Graduate Research Showcase. 145.
https://kb.gcsu.edu/grposters/145