title: Factors associated with labor support behaviors of nurses.
abstract: Labor support is known to support progress of normal labor. Nurses are encouraged to provide labor support yet may encounter barriers to the practice of labor support. The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to examine individual and institutional factors associated with labor support behaviors. Age and experience were individual factors related to labor support. Older and more experienced nurses reported providing more labor support. Institutional factors associated with labor support were lower rates of epidural analgesia use and cesarean surgery. These findings indicate birthing families should understand that the birth environment may influence the care that nurses give during labor. Choosing an environment that supports normal birth may be the best place for receiving labor supportive nursing care.
authors.affiliation: SAMANTHA J. BARRETT is a graduate of the Bronson School of Nursing and the Lee Honors College at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. She currently works as a critical care nurse at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan . MARY ANN STARK is an associate professor in the Bronson School of Nursing at Western Michigan University.
authors.forename: Samantha J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stark