First, let's talk about what is labor support. And by the end of this video, you'll be able to

describe why people need labor support, the key components of labor support, and you'll also be

able to define birth trauma, and how support is a key component in preventing birth trauma.

So why do people need support?

Well, it's critical that childbearing people have support during labor

because childbirth is both a physically and emotionally demanding experience.

By paying attention to the emotional needs of people who are undergoing pregnancy and childbirth,

the people who give birth are more likely

to feel a sense of control, participation, empowerment, and satisfaction with this major

event in their life. Also, the emotions that someone feels during childbirth can carry over into

the parenting relationship, making it even more important that a parent leaves the birth feeling

supported and empowered.

Why is labor support even more important today?

Well, the current practice setting today, the emotional or psychological needs of the

birthing family are not truly at the center of care.

Encouragement and support are often replaced by interventions, which can be considered

sometimes be complications in and of themselves.

And there's just this really big emphasis on technology in the birthroom rather than labor

support.

And the management about the biomechanical processes of labor are sometimes considered to be more important than supporting the person who's giving birth.

On the other hand, the value of support is that it is a risk-free tool rather than a potentially risk-posing intervention.

Another reason that it's important to provide labor support is to prevent birth trauma.

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