Utilizing Doulas to Improve Nursing Student Preparation and Self-Confidence in Providing Labor and Birth Support

Undergraduate nursing students generally have very limited opportunities to provide care to patients and families during labor and birth. This article explores a strategy to prepare nursing students for their first hospital clinical in labor and delivery (L&D) by utilizing birth doulas to teach labor support through interactive learning techniques. Continuous labor support is an evidence-based practice and is recommended by professional organizations including the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. BSN students in their second semester of nursing school were asked to evaluate their level of comfort in the L&D setting and their confidence in providing labor support prior to their first clinical. Post-intervention survey responses (n= 102) indicated an increase in comfort with beginning clinical in the L&D setting. Prior to the labor support training, 21.5% of students reported feeling comfortable or extremely comfortable beginning clinical on L&D. After the training, 82.4% of students reported feeling comfortable or extremely comfortable. Students also reported increased confidence in all five areas of labor support: introducing themselves to patients, discussing birth preferences, recommending safe and appropriate positions for labor, using touch to support a patient in labor, and confidence in providing emotional support in labor. Working in small groups with experienced doulas as facilitators substantially improved students’ confidence and comfort in providing labor support prior to their first obstetric clinical.Bachelor of Scienc