Perinatal Nurses Respond to Shared Decision-Making Education: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Women describe a loss of autonomy during childbirth as a contributing factor to labor dissatisfaction. Shared decision-making with choice, option, and decision talk may improve satisfaction. Nurses (n = 29) received education on supporting women's autonomy with a standardized communication tool (SUPPORT) to facilitate shared decision-making and create an evolving birth plan. This quasi-experimental pre-/post-test design evaluated participant responses to the education module. Participants supported the use of the SUPPORT tool for shared decision-making and developing evolving birth plans. Most recommended initiation between 13- and 26-weeks' gestation. Nurses' willingness to advocate for women's autonomy increased significantly after education (p = .022). Shared decision-making with standardized perinatal communication may support a woman's perinatal education and her satisfaction with labor. © Copyright 2021 Lamaze International.