Health and Medical Administration Commons^™

The Use Of A Peanut Ball During Labor In Nulliparous Term Singleton Vertex Pregnancies To Decrease The Primary Cesarean Rate: An Evidence-Based Practice Improvement Project, Megan Elizabeth Honaker, Tracy L. Brewer, Melissa Nursing Hessock

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

BACKGROUND: Current statistics indicate cesarean section rates in nulliparous term singleton vertex (NTSV) pregnancies, a singleton first pregnancy > 37 weeks’ gestation in a vertex position, of 32.8% and rising. A peanut ball, a tool used to optimize pelvic opening and fetal head rotation, can decrease labor length and cesarean section rates. The aim of this evidence-based practice improvement project was to reduce the cesarean rate in NTSV pregnancies by 1% within three months. The project occurred in an urban 12-bed labor and delivery unit in Middle Tennessee. Participants included laboring women meeting NTSV criteria. METHOD: Plan- do- study- act cycles …