Educating Nursing Staff on Evidence-Based Maternal Positioning to Promote Fetal Descent During the First and Second Stages of Labor

Abstract

This project aims to educate labor and delivery nurses on evidence-based maternal labor positions that promote fetal descent in the first and second stages of labor. In a labor and delivery unit in the San Francisco Bay Area Silicon Valley region, there is a gap in nurse knowledge relating to labor positions. Evidence supports upright and flexible sacrum positions, along with frequent repositioning promotes shorter labor duration, decreased vaginal tearing, and decreased rate of cesarean section deliveries. A quality improvement project was conducted through education implementation using evidence-based practices utilizing a PDSA cycle for a semester. Educational content was created in the form of handouts, and a demonstration video. To assess the efficacy of this project\u27s educational impact, a pre-survey and post-survey was created and reached a 54% completion rate. The results of this project demonstrated an overall increase in nurse confidence, particularly in assisted squatting (131%), lunging (93%), and kneeling (74%). This project was limited in scope due in part to time constraints and nurse willingness to participate, however, results reinforce the need for continued nursing education and the role it has on increased nurse confidence in the labor and delivery unit

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