The Early Labor Walk program, which launched in mid-February, includes 8 daisy marked stations on the first floor of the medical center. Participating patients, accompanied by their support partners, are instructed to pause at each station and perform evidence-based gentle movement, stretching, and breathing exercises.

Patients wear lanyards with a card inscribed with the message, “I’m On My Early Labor Walk,” along with an image of a daisy and a QR code. Patients scan the QR code to access online instructions, including walking directions to each of the eight stations and photos and descriptions of stretching and breathing exercises to perform. A phone number to L&D staff is also featured on the lanyard card in case the patient needs assistance.

The program was launched to help reduce early labor admissions to the hospital, reduce cesarean birth rates, and increase patient satisfaction.

“I am so proud of our team for creating this program to support our discharged patients by offering them the option of going on an Early Labor Walk around our campus,” said Ajani Hoffert, BSN, RNC-OB, Nurse Manager for Perinatal Services. “This has been a labor of love from my staff members on our Supporting Vaginal Birth team, led by Jennifer Valdez, BSN, RN, IBCLC and Spring Edwards, BSN, RN, IBCLC. It is an evidence-based practice which normalizes and encourages movement that will help members to cope with early labor and hopefully help them to progress into active without unnecessary interventions.”