title: The role of the nurse in labor and delivery as perceived by nurses and patients.
abstract: A study was conducted to examine the role of the labor and delivery room nurse as perceived by expectant mothers trained in the Lamaze method of preparation for childbirth (L/RC), expectant mothers not trained in the Lamaze method (RC), and labor and delivery room nurses. All expectant mothers received baseline prenatal education by attending Red Cross Preparation for Parenthood. Perceptions were measured through a Q-sort of 50 items constructed for this study. Each item described a nursing behavior in labor and delivery. Differences between Q-sorts of expectant mothers and labor and delivery room nurses were insignificant. The collected data showed that labor and delivery room nurses were meeting the expectations of expectant mothers, both trained and not trained in the Lamaze method. Perceptions of the nurse's role in labor and delivery differed slightly so that individualization of care is important.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008875:Middle Aged; D009321:Natural Childbirth; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D012011:Red Cross; D012380:Role