Practical Labor Support Techniques
Labor Support Techniques
The labor support techniques utilized by the nurse can help make birth a positive and
life-changing experience for a woman. In her seminars, Polly Perez brings these critical skills
and strategies alive for the maternity care professional. Through the use of the information
contained in her seminars the nurse
will be much more effective in helping the laboring mother reduce pain and promote labor
progress. The labor support skills are also critical to implementation of a
successful cesarean reduction program.
Polly has been a pioneer in the field of labor support and her seminars are often described as
doula workshops.
She is a member of the executive council of Doulas of North America. Her book, Special
Women: The Role of the Professional Labor Assistant, is
required reading for most doula and labor assistant training programs throughout North
America.
Ms. Perez' aim is to make these seminars site specific so that the participants obtain
maximum benefit from the program. They will have a chance to practice labor support skills at the
seminar site making it much easier to implement them in their practice setting.
Not only do seminars include a comprehensive slide selection to illustrate the verbal word but
supplies
often used by professional labor assistants such as birth balls, hot and cold packs are demonstrated
and seminar participants have the opportunity to work with them.
Institutions usually apply for continuing education units and Ms. Perez will supply the
material needed for CEU applications as soon as the seminar is booked. The two day format has
been approved by
ASPO as a continuing program which makes the CEU application process much easier. This
format also fulfills partial requirements for the DONA doula certification program.
A master copy of the seminar syllabus will also be provided to meeting planners promptly to allow
them ample time for reproduction.
Two Formats Available
The two day seminar format is designed to help participants become expert labor support
providers. It emphasizes theoretical knowledge as well as practical skill. This format
is also a DONA approved program. During these two powerful days, participants will:
Discuss the emotions and psychological
processes associated with labor and birth
Discuss the role of the labor support person
during prenatal, labor, delivery and post-partum periods emphasizing the importance of
appropriate and culturally sensitive support
Learn how to enable women and their partners to
cope with complications in pregnancy, labor, and early post-partum
Describe the role of the professional labor
assistant, their scope of practice and ethical standards
The one day format focuses on emotional support in labor and comfort measures for labor
only.
Teaching methods for both programs include lecture, discussion, experiential learning
sessions and extensive use of audiovisuals.
Polly Perez
Last Updated: June 2003