The Influence of Nursing Labor Support on the Reduction of Cesarean Sections

Abstract

In the United States, childbirth is the leading reason for hospitalization, with approximately 4 million women giving birth annually, the majority of whom will receive care and support from a nurse. A cesarean section is a major abdominal surgery and accounted for approximately 33% of births in 2013. In comparison to vaginal births, cesarean births have a higher association with healthcare costs, as well as maternal and newborn morbidity. One of the approaches to reduce cesarean birth rates is to increase the woman’s access to nonmedical interventions during labor, such as continuous labor and delivery support. Research suggests that nurses are likely influential in the birth outcome of a woman, and personal beliefs can impact how a nurse supports vaginal birth during labor. Consequently, increasing nursing knowledge of labor support techniques can improve overall birth experiences and outcomes.