Date of Award

8-11-2008

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Teaching & Learning

First Advisor

Myrna Olson

Abstract

Legally and ethically, obtaining informed consent for labor epidural analgesia means that the patient has a substantial understanding of the risks and benefits of the procedure. The purpose of this study was to determine if labor epidural analgesia education provided by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to expectant women during antenatal childbirth education classes improved the recall of risks associated with labor epidural analgesia. This study also determined pregnant women's sources of labor epidural information and the perceived adequacy of that information. The role of the antenatal childbirth education class as an opportunity for labor epidural education from trained anesthesia providers had not been adequately examined. A quantitative approach was used in a post-test only nonequivalent control group design, or quasi-experimental format, to determine if labor epidural analgesia education provided by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to expectant women prior to labor improved the recall of risks associated with labor epidural analgesia. Recall of risks is one method of evaluating the success of a discussion of risks. A convenience sample of 165 postpartum day 1, ASA physical status 1 or 2 patients, who had labored and given birth to a viable infant were provided a questionnaire for this quantitative study. Exclusions included women who were scheduled for elective cesarean sections, ASA physical status 3 and 4 patients, and those women who did not speak Teaching & Learning. After examining the recall of risks of labor epidurals among various groups of parturients, conclusions were drawn with regard to when and where pregnant women are best able to learn and understand the information necessary to be able to provide appropriate and legal informed consent for labor epidural analgesia. An understanding of where and how women obtain information regarding labor epidural analgesia is helpful to hospitals and anesthesia providers and Will allow them an opportunity to improve their efforts at offering pregnant women reliable information through group or individual informational sessions, childbirth education classes, and/or written information. Increasing the amount of reliable information that pregnant women receive regarding labor epidurals Will improve the overall anesthesia experience for the pregnant patient.

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