Hospital Labor Support Specialist & Community Doula Training

Labor support improves outcomes for birthing people and babies. Research shows that the best outcomes are present when labor support is provided by a professionally trained support person. When professional labor support is utilized, birthing people use fewer unnecessary interventions, have fewer cesareans, have babies with better APGAR scores, and have a lower risk of having a baby admitted to the NICU.

Hospitals who offer professional labor support not only improve health outcomes for their patients, but also reduce healthcare costs. The multiple benefits of labor support equal shorter hospital stays for most patients - a huge cost savings.

What is a Hospital Labor Support Specialist?

The Hospital Labor Support Specialist is professionally trained to support the person in labor. An expert in comfort measures, the Hospital Labor Support Specialist provides hands-on physical and emotional support during the labor and birth process. The Hospital Labor Support Specialist is the only role dedicated to providing physical and emotional support to the laboring person.

The Hospital Labor Support Specialist works together with the Partner, the Labor & Delivery Nurse, and the Provider to provide optional comfort measures to the laboring person.

What's the Difference Between a Hospital Labor Support Specialist and a Doula?

While the idea of providing support during labor is synonomous in both roles, there are significant differences between a Hospital Labor Support Specialist and a Doula. Doulas have the honor of establishing a relationship with their client long before the labor process. The Hospital Labor Support Specialist must establish this relationship during the labor.

Doula support is invaluable and is the preferred type of support. However, the out-of-pocket cost of a doula often hinders that option for many families. The Hospital Labor Support Specialist removes the cost barrier for the patient, while still providing professional labor support.

What's the Difference Between a Hospital Labor Support Specialist and a Nurse?

The Hospital Labor Support Specialist and a Labor & Delivery Nurse each have unique and important roles in the birthing process. While the Labor & Delivery Nurse is the expert in providing clinical care, the Hospital Labor Support Specialist is the expert in providing continuous physical and emotional support.

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Hospital Labor Support Specialist Training

Family Trees Birth Programs provides in-person training for your facility geared toward the unique role of the Hospital Labor Support Specialist.

The training includes required, pre-requisite reading, in-person hands-on training, agreement to Scope of Practice and Ethics, and a summary report of simmulated labor scenarios. Participants are also provided a resource list for further continuing education opportunities.

The 16-hour in-person training can be done over your choice of two or three days. 

For more information about bringing a Hospital Labor Support Specialist training to your facility, please complete the form box below.