---
title: "Labor and Delivery Nursing: What You Need to Know"
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/labor-and-delivery-nursing-what-you-need-to-know/"
type: post
date_published: 2019-01-11
date_modified: 2025-12-11
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 626
reading_time: 4 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/labor-and-delivery-nursing-what-you-need-to-know/"
categories:
  - Nursing Careers
topic:
  - Nursing
---

# Labor and Delivery Nursing: What You Need to Know

## What is a labor and delivery nurse?

Labor and delivery nurses are registered nurses who specialize in helping to
deliver babies and support mothers and families immediately before, during, and
after childbirth. Most labor and delivery nurses work in hospitals, while others
work in clinical settings and birthing centers, or attend at-home births. A
labor and delivery nurse may also be known as an L&D nurse, delivery nurse, or
maternal-child nurse.

### What are the responsibilities of a labor and delivery nurse?

A labor and delivery nurse often works 12-hour shifts and may be assigned to
either one or a small handful of patients at a time. This allows them to assist
many of their patients from early labor through birthing and the immediate
postpartum period. Because the physician or midwife may only be present for
delivery, the l&d nurse is the mother’s and family members’ main contact and
go-to person for questions and support. During each stage, the L&D nurse
monitors and documents the baby’s and mother’s vital signs, while staying alert
for changes and complications.

Labor and delivery nurses also:

- Monitor patient contractions and dilation
- Administer IVs and medications, including assisting with epidurals
- Advocate for patients
- Coach and encourage mothers throughout labor and delivery
- Assist physicians or midwives during delivery and any complications, including
  help with procedures and surgery when cesarean delivery is required
- Advise and educate patients and their families on procedures, potential
  maternal or neonatal complications, and newborn care
- Monitor and care for the mother and infant following birth

Throughout their work, delivery nurses collaborate with and provide status
updates to other members of the healthcare team.

### Labor and Delivery Nurse Requirements

Women in labor, especially first-time mothers, need a delivery room nurse who
can find the right balance of supportiveness and assertiveness. L&D nurses must
be able to connect with people of all personality types and remain calm even
when a patient’s tension and pain is high. When the time comes, they mustn’t
hesitate to take charge. Delivery nurses will also use their communication and
people skills to educate new parents, especially after birth, on things like
breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, and caring for their baby.

In addition to varying personality types, laboring mothers may range from young
teens to those at middle age. No matter who the patient is or their personal
circumstances, a delivery room nurse must treat every woman with empathy and
care rather than judgment.

While labor and delivery nurses often experience the joy of a new life entering
the world, they also must have the knowledge and emotional fortitude to deal
with high-risk pregnancies, complications, and the difficult loss of a mother or
newborn.

### How do you become a labor and delivery nurse?

To become a labor and delivery nurse, you’ll need to earn a nursing degree from
an
[accredited nursing program](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/nursing/nursing-program-information/)
and obtain the licensure requirements to become a registered nurse. Earning a
bachelor degree rather than an associate degree can prepare you with more
advanced skills and make you more competitive in this popular nursing career.
Once you’re an RN, you can receive on-the-job training in this specialty at your
place of employment.

While certification is not required, many L&D nurses pursue certification after
working in the field. Certification can help you to earn a higher salary,
qualify for promotions, and become more desirable to employers. The most common
certification in the delivery RN specialty is the
[Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) credential](https://www.nccwebsite.org/certification-exams/details/2/inpatient-obstetric-nursing)
offered through the National Certification Corporation.

---

_Information in this blog post is accurate as of January 11, 2019._

**Categories:** Nursing Careers