From expectation to experience: humanizing childbirth in the Brazilian National Health System

Abstract

During the past 15 years Brazil has increased efforts to humanize maternal care within the Brazilian National Health System (SUS). Humanization efforts come along with de-medicalization of birth even if quality care and reduction of inequalities are still pressing matters in the country. For this qualitative study we interviewed ten women regarding their experiences of pregnancy and childbirth. The study took place in Brasília (DF) and women narrated their birth experiences at local hospitals or a birth center. Women were mostly satisfied with their attention during childbirth, specifically those giving birth at the birth center, in contrast to women giving birth at local hospitals. However, the humanization movement, essentializing women's bodies can also reproduce normative discourses that shape a sense of self-blame and disappointment if the ‘ideal birth is not achieved.

Violência obstétrica: a abordagem da temática na formação de enfermeiros obstétricos

“…Vale salientar que a falta de informação gera maiores riscos de complicações no pós-parto para a parturiente. (13) Destaca-se que, para compreender as contribuições do cuidado humanizado, é necessário que os especialistas possuam um papel essencial no cuidado à mulher durante o pré-natal, utilizando práticas clínicas pautadas em evidências, na experiência cuidativa baseada no respeito e apoio emocional. Portanto, torna-se pertinente a identificação de fatores socioculturais, fisiológicos e assistenciais para contribuição no processo de renovação da pesquisa científica.…”

Baixa luminosidade em sala de parto: vivências de enfermeiras obstétricas

“…2019;40:e20180464 be beneficial to the woman and the baby, avoiding unnecessary interventions and preserving the privacy and autonomy of these subjects. To have humanization, there must be a commitment with the ambience, improvement in work and care conditions (1,5) .…”

“…Conventional obstetrical centers are related to insalubrity, lack of privacy and attention, and are aggravated by the excessive accomplishment of unnecessary procedures, such as protracted fasts, amniotomies, and episiotomies, indiscriminately using synthetic oxytocin, and restricting the space for the movement of women. In the Normal Delivery Center environments, alternative delivery methods are more promoted and facilitated, and humanized behaviors such as free feeding, choice of delivery position, skin-to-skin contact with the baby, and presence of companions are more respected (1,19) .…”

“…The interest of women, health professionals and the Brazilian government itself in obstetric care has intensified over the years, mainly to the effect of promoting a more humanized care at the time of labor and delivery, aiming at an individualized care and without unnecessary interventions (1) .…”

Análise da assistência ao trabalho de parto em hospital universitário

“…Nos últimos 15 anos, o Brasil redobrou as iniciativas para humanizar a atenção ao parto no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), visando retomar a compreensão do parto enquanto evento fisiológico. Os esforços de humanização focaram na não medicalização do parto, nas desigualdades e na atenção de qualidade, que ainda são desafios reais no país 4 .…”