title: A practical approach to labor support.
abstract: In the United States, intrapartum nurses are present at 99% of births. These nurses have a unique opportunity to positively affect a laboring woman's comfort and labor progress through the use of labor support behaviors. These nonpharmacologic nursing strategies fall into four categories: physical, emotional, instructional/informational, and advocacy. Implementation of these strategies requires special knowledge and a commitment to the enhanced physical and emotional comfort of laboring women.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35889, USA. ellise.adams@uah.edu
authors.forename: Ellise D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Ann L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bianchi
mesh_terms: D001945:Breathing Exercises; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000523:psychology*; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009321:Natural Childbirth / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012063:Relaxation; D014481:United States