Caracterização da assistência ao parto normal de risco habitual em uma capital do nordeste brasileiro

Abstract

Introduction: Birth assistance in Brazil can be divided into two distinct periods. Before the 20th century, childbirth was commonly carried out at home, in an simple and empiric manner by midwifes. With the development of science and medicine, the biomedical model began its consolidation process, starting a new phase in childbirth assistance. This new scenario was characterized by the use of procedures considered obstetric violence and by the application of practices not based on evidence, becaming barriers to the humanization of pregnant women care. Objective: To characterize the assistance provided for normal and low-risk births in a capital city in northeastern Brazil. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study with a quantitative approach, carried out through the analysis of medical records and field research in a low-risk maternity hospital in the city of Maceió, with postpartum women who received assistance for normal births and were hospitalized at the respective maternity facility. Results: The study involved 110 postpartum women, with the analysis showing that the majority were between 18 and 29 years old, unemployed, had a monthly family income equivalent to one minimum wage, self-identified as brown, had completed high school, and were in a stable union. Regarding the characterization of labor and birth assistance, most women gave birth in the lithotomy position, were assisted by doctors, had company during the birth, used nonpharmacological methods for pain relief, and there was limited use of the partogram. The Analysis of the association between maternal education level and frequency of prenatal consultations revealed that women with higher levels of education attended more prenatal visits. Conclusion: The study highlighted critical aspects and healthcare practices that need to be reviewed in the support provided to birthing women, particularly the use of directed pushing and Kristeller maneuvers. On the other hand, there was high acceptance of non-pharmacological methods for pain relief, and the lithotomy position remained the most commonly used during the expulsive phase.