• Perinatal nurses work with parents before, during and after pregnancy.baby in the crib image by Tatyana Gladskih from Fotolia.com
  
  Perinatal nurses provide care for mothers and families during all stages of the child-bearing process, from prenatal care to postpartum recovery. These nurses work in hospitals, primary care clinics and birth centers. To become a perinatal nurse, you need a license to practice as a registered nurse and an optional certification as a perinatal nurse. According to Salary Expert, the average annual salary range for perinatal nurses was $54,774 to $68,392 in 2009 depending on region.
  
  

Prepartum Responsibilities

• Perinatal nurses work with families during the pregnancy, ensuring the health of the mother and the baby. They teach women about childbirth techniques and coach the mother to help her deal with the upcoming birth. Perinatal nurses also monitor the baby's health and ensure that the mother is taking appropriate measures to maintain a healthy pregnancy. In a high-risk pregnancy, a perinatal nurse consults with doctors to create a plan to minimize risks to the mother and child.
  
  

Childbirth Process

• Perinatal nurses coach women through the labor and delivery period. The nurse helps the mother use childbirth techniques and provides emotional support for the couple as labor progresses. The duties of a nurse range from monitoring the mother's vital signs to providing encouragement to her after several hours of labor.
  
  

Postpartum Duties

• After the baby is born, the perinatal nurse continues to care for mother and child. The nurse monitors the mother's health and the baby's well-being, making sure the post-delivery period proceeds normally. Before the mother and child leave the facility, the perinatal nurse teaches the mother how to feed the baby, care for him and promote strong mother-child bonding. The nurse also warns the family about common problems or illnesses and tells them whom to contact in case they have a question or an emergency.