Labor and Delivery Nursing : A Guide to Evidence-Based Practice

Praise for the First Edition:

“Where was this book when I was a new nurse just learning the ropes of labor and delivery? This is a true gem of a book―a must for any new grad going into labor and delivery. I recommend this book for every labor and delivery floor."

-Cindy Curtis, RNC, IBCLC, CCE

Former Director, The Family Birth Center

Culpeper Regional Hospital

Lignum, VA

"The best one-stop reference book for the experienced and novice Labor and Delivery RN....Finally an excellent Labor and Delivery book by RN's -- for RN's."

-Garla DeWall, RNC

Presbyterian Hospital in the Family Birthing Center

Albuquerque, New Mexico

The clinically oriented guide to nursing care during childbirth is distinguished by its strong focus on evidence-based practice as well as its engaging style and user-friendly format. It reviews the nursing process from admission to delivery focusing on proper surveillance and care, comprehensive data acquisition, interpretation, and teamwork.

The second edition continues to help labor and delivery nurses make wise decisions in the delivery room, optimizing both maternal and fetal outcomes. It clearly explains the stages and phases of labor, delivery, and pain assessment and management―all supported by proven research. This text provides authoritative guidance on intervention options, creating patient-centered care plans, and improving communication with other members of the obstetrics team.

New to the Second Edition:
• Proper analysis of the partograph to facilitate appropriate patient interventions
• Updated information about clinical pelvimetry
• New information on psyche, including the religious, spiritual, and cultural dimensions of care
• Setting priorities in triage and care related to postpartum hemorrhage
• Identification of “myths” related to childbirth
• Individualized patient care related to fetal distress and nonreassuring fetal status
• Oxytocin infusion and its relationship to permanent Erb’s palsy and autism
• Updated information on technology, including connectivity between smart IV pumps and the EMR
• How to distinguish functional from mechanical dystocia and intervene to enhance fetal and maternal safety

Key Features:
• Applies to nursing care of childbearing clients world-wide
• Focuses on evidence-based practices
• Written in engaging, easy-to-understand style for new nurses, seasoned practitioners, and nurses seeking certification
• Enhances effective decision-making to optimize patient care and outcomes
• Replete with informative references, relevant graphics, and review questions
• Incorporates research to clearly explain concepts and best practices
• Provides orientation fundamentals, checklists, and log charts

Michelle L. Murray, PhD, RNC-OB, is an international educator, author, and expert in obstetric nursing. She is the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Childbirth. Dr. Murray has taught nursing students and nurses in the United States, Canada, and Bahrain and has spent the majority of her career as a labor and delivery nurse and obstetric nursing educator. She was appointed by the provost at the University of New Mexico as a clinical associate professor. Dr. Murray’s company, Learning Resources International, Inc., produces clinical and educational products, and she has delivered seminars to nurses, midwives, and physicians.

Gayle Huelsmann, BSN, RNC, is certified in inpatient obstetrics and holds a certificate of advanced qualification in electronic fetal monitoring from the National Certification Corp., Chicago. She has been an antepartal nurse and a labor and delivery nurse for 29 years. She was also maternal air transport nurse with fixed wing and rotor wing aircraft. She is an award winner of the PRIDE nurse award from Presbyterian Hospital.