Abstract
This chapter discusses the concepts of continuous labor support and presence, the benefits of this approach, and how it can be used to provide optimal care to women in labor. Continuous labor support and presence are both valuable components of supporting physiologic labor and birth. Increased fear and tension may lead to decreased uterine blood flow and potentially impede labor progress and further contribute to difficulty in coping with labor. The chapter discusses the following elements of labor support: comfort measures and physical support, the environment and “holding the space,” emotional support, reassurance, and information and advice. Increased education efforts, culture change, and lobbying for continuous labor support can help to make continuous labor support a part of the labor support equation for all women.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Supporting a Physiologic Approach to Pregnancy and Birth |
| Subtitle of host publication | A Practical Guide |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Pages | 91-103 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781118783320 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780470962862 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2013 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Keywords
- Continuous labor support
- Emotional support
- Fear-tension-pain cycle
- Labor process
- Normal physiologic birth