Background Due to technological and medical advances, increasing numbers of pregnant and post natal women require higher levels of care, including maternity high dependency care (MHDC). Up to 5% of women in the UK will receive MHDC, although there are varying opinions as to the defining features and definition of this care. Furthermore, limited evidence suggests that the size and type of obstetric unit (OU) influences the way MHDC is provided. There is robust evidence indicating that healthcare professionals must be able to recognise when higher levels of care are required and escalate care appropriately. However, there is limited evidence examining the factors that influence a midwife to decide whether MHDC is provided or a woman’s care is escalated away from the OU to a specialist unit. Research Aims 1. To obtain a professional consensus regarding the defining features of and definition for MHDC in OUs remote from tertiary referral units. 2. To examine the factors that influence a midwife to provide MHDC or request the escalation of care (EoC) away from the OU. Methods An exploratory sequential mixed methods design was used: Delphi survey: A three-round modified Delphi survey of 193 obstetricians, anaesthetists, and midwives across seven OUs (annual birth rates 1500-4500) remote from a tertiary referral centre in Southern England. Round 1 (qualitative) involved completion of a self-report questionnaire. Rounds 2/3 (quantitative); respondents rated their level of agreement or disagreement against five point Likert items for a series of statements. First round data were analysed using qualitative description. The level of consensus for the combined percentage of strongly agree / agree statements was set at 80% for the second and third rounds Focus Groups: Focus groups with midwives across three OUs in Southern England (annual birth rates 1700, 4000 and 5000). Three scenarios in the form of video vignettes were used as triggers for the focus groups. Scenario 1; severe pre-eclampsia, physiologically unstable 2; major postpartum haemorrhage requiring invasive monitoring 3; recent admission with chest pain receiving facial oxygen and continuous ECG monitoring. Two focus groups were conducted in each of the OUs with band 6 / 7 midwives. Data were analysed using a qualitative framework approach. Findings Delphi survey: Response rates for the first, second and third rounds were 44% (n=85), 87% (n=74/85) and 90.5% (n= 67/74) respectively. Four themes were identified (conditions, vigilance, interventions, and service delivery). The respondents achieved consensus regarding the defining features of MHDC with the exceptions of post-operative care and post natal epidural anaesthesia. A definition for MHDC was agreed, although it reflected local variations in service delivery. MHDC was equated with level 2 care (ICS, 2009) although respondents from the three smallest OUs agreed it also comprised level 1 care. The smaller OUs were less likely to provide MHDC and had a more liberal policy of transferring women to intensive care. Midwives in the smaller OUs were more likely to escalate care to ICU than doctors. Focus Groups: Factors influencing midwives’ EoC decisions included local service delivery, patient specific / professional factors, and guidelines to a lesser extent. ‘Fixed’ factors the midwives had limited or no opportunity to change included the proximity of the labour ward to the ICU and the availability of specialist equipment. Midwives in the smallest OU did not have access to the facilities / equipment for MHDC provision and could not provide it. Midwives in the larger OUs provided MHDC but identified varying levels of competence and used ‘workarounds’ to facilitate care. A woman’s clinical complexity and potential for physiological deterioration were influential as to whether MHDC was assessed as appropriate. Midwifery staffing levels, skill mix and workload (variable factors) could also be influential. Differences of opinion were noted between midwives working in the same OUs and varying reliance was placed on clinical guidelines. Conclusion Whilst a consensus on the defining features of, and definition for MHDC has been obtained, the research corroborates previous evidence that local variations exist in MHDC provision. Given midwives from the larger OUs had variable opinions as to whether MHDC could be provided, there may be inequitable MHDC provision at a local level. Organisationally robust systems are required to promote safe, equitable MHDC care including MHDC education and training for midwives and precise EoC guidelines (so workarounds are minimised). The latter must take into consideration local service delivery and the ‘variable’ factors that influence midwives’ EoC decisions.

Le déclenchement du travail est une procédure obstétricale qui consiste à provoquer le travail afin que la femme puisse vivre un accouchement vaginal dans les 24 à 48 heures suivant l’initiation de la procédure (Leduc et al., 2013). Cependant, le déclenchement du travail peut ne pas fonctionner entraînant la nécessité de procéder à un accouchement par césarienne après un travail d’une durée de plus de 24 heures. Cette étude qualitative visait à explorer l’expérience de femmes qui ont vécu un échec du déclenchement du travail résultant en une césarienne non planifiée. Cette étude a été menée auprès de 6 femmes durant leur séjour hospitalier post-partum. Les données ont été obtenues à l’aide d’un questionnaire sociodémographique, du dossier médical des participantes et d’un entretien semi-dirigé. Les entretiens semi-dirigés ont été enregistrés, avec l’accord des participantes, puis transcrits et analysés selon l’approche d’analyse thématique de Braun, Clarke, Hayfield et Terry (2019). Cinq thèmes et 12 sous-thèmes ont émergé de l’analyse thématique permettant de mieux saisir l’expérience des femmes vivant un échec du déclenchement du travail résultant en une césarienne. Les thèmes : Les attentes envers l’expérience, Le soutien reçu, La qualité et quantité de l’information reçue ainsi que Le sentiment de contrôle envers l’expérience semblent influencer la satisfaction ou l’insatisfaction de la participante envers son expérience et contribuent au thème global de l’Expérience globale de l’échec du déclenchement du travail résultant en une césarienne. Les infirmières ont un rôle important afin de communiquer l’information aux patientes et de les soutenir quant au déclenchement du travail leur permettant de mieux gérer leurs attentes et exercer le contrôle désiré envers leur expérience. / Induction of labor is an obstetric procedure which consists of inducing labor so that women can experience a vaginal birth within 24 to 48 hours after the initiation of the procedure (Leduc et al., 2013). The induction of labor may not work resulting in the need for a caesarean delivery after lasting more than 24 hours. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experience of women who had experienced labor induction failure resulting in an unplanned caesarean section. This study was conducted with 6 women in the postpartum unit during their hospitalisation. Data were collected from a socio-demographic questionnaire, the participants’ medical chart as well as a semi-structured interview. After participants’ consent, the semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed, then analysed using the Braun, Clarke, Hayfield and Terry (2019) thematic analysis approach. Five themes and 12 sub-themes emerged to better capture the experience of women experiencing labor induction failure resulting in a caesarean. Four themes: Expectation of Labor and Delivery: Managing Expectations, Antepartum and Intrapartum Support Received, Comprehensive Information Needed, and Feeling in Control of the Experience emerged as influencing the participant's satisfaction or dissatisfaction towards their Global Experience of a Failed Induction of Labor Resulting in a Ceserean Section. Nurses have a strategic role and are key support professionals in communicating information and supporting women during induction of labor, allowing them to better manage their expectations and have the desired level of control over their experience.

Confirmatory factor analysis provided empirical support for the existence of the hypothesized constructs assessed by the CBSEI-C32. Doubly MANOVA indicated that the experimental group was significantly more likely than the control group to demonstrate higher self-efficacy for childbirth and lower perceived anxiety and pain in the early and middle phase of labour. The effects of the programe on anxiety and pain during labour differed according to different phase of labour. Independent samples t test also demonstrated a significantly higher level of coping behaviour performed by the experimental group as compared with the control group. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of an educational intervention, based on Self-efficacy theory (Bandura, 1989); to promote women's self-efficacy for childbirth and their coping ability for reducing anxiety and pain during labour. The study consisted of two phases: the 1st phase was to establish the validity and reliability of the primary outcome measure of the phase 2 study: a short form of the Chinese version of the Childbirth Self-efficacy Inventory (CBSEI-C32). The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to establish the construct validity of the CBSEI-C32. In the 2nd phase, the focus was to test the effectiveness of educational intervention to promote women's self-efficacy for childbirth and their coping behaviour during labour. The researcher used an experimental design with random assignment of eligible participants into experimental (n = 54) or control (n = 62) group that completed one pre-test (baseline at 32--34 weeks of gestation) and three posttest surveys (post-intervention at 37 weeks of gestation and within 48 hours and 6 weeks after delivery). The experimental group received two 90-minute sessions of an educational program offered at 33--35 weeks of gestation based on Bandura's (1986) self-efficacy theory. The primary outcome measures were the two subscales of the CBSEI-C32: outcome expectancy (OE-16) and efficacy expectancy (EE-16). The secondary measures included psychological morbidity (GHQ12), pain and anxiety during labour (VAS) and performance of coping behaviour during labour (CCB). Physiological labour outcomes in terms of mode of delivery, length of labour, types of analgesia used, Apgar scores of newborn and neonatal admission were also extracted from the participants' medical record. / Ip Wan Yim. / "June 2005." / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-07, Section: B, page: 3717. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-191). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / School code: 1307.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that contribute to women delaying seeking treatment for obstetric fistula. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 384 study participants. A cross sectional analytical research design was used; data was collected by structured, closed ended questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied. Results show a significant correlation between traditional treatment and delay in seeking treatment (P-Value = 0.012). The presence of parents has a significant correlation in reaching treatment centres (p-value = 0.013), those women who are speaking about their fistula have less chance of delay in seeking treatment (p-value = 0.008), having no income significantly associated with delay in seeking treatment (AOR = 0.28) and women living closer to the treatment centres have less chance of delay (p-value = 0.008). Therefore, there are a number of factors that significantly influence women from early seeking of treatment for their fistulae. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Use of skilled care during antenatal visits and delivery is recommended to address the burden of maternal mortality. However there are few facility deliveries and insufficient knowledge of danger signs, especially in rural Tanzania.  The aim of this thesis was to explore the perceptions and challenges that the community faces while preparing for childbirth and to evaluate an intervention of the Home Based Life Saving Skills education programme on knowledge of danger signs, facility delivery and male involvement when delivered by rural community health workers in Tanzania. In Paper I, Focus Group Discussions explored the perceptions and challenges that the community encounters while preparing for childbirth. Structured questionnaires assessed men’s knowledge of danger signs and birth preparedness and complication readiness in Paper II. The effect of the Home Based Life Saving Skills education programme in the community was assessed with a before-and-after evaluation in two districts; one intervention and one comparison. Paper III assessed the effect of the programme on knowledge of danger signs and birth preparedness and facility delivery among women, while Paper IV evaluated its effect on male involvement. The community perceived that all births must be prepared for and that obstetric complication demands hospital care; hence skilled care was favoured. Men’s knowledge of danger signs was limited; only 12% were prepared for childbirth and complications. Preparedness was associated with knowledge of obstetric complications (AOR=1.4 95% CI 1.8 – 2.6). The intervention showed women utilizing antenatal care (four visits) significantly more (43.4 vs 67.8%) with a net effect of 25.3% (95% CI: 16.9 – 33.2; p < .0001). The use of facility delivery improved in the intervention area (75.6 vs 90.2%; p = 0.0002), but with no significant net effect 11.5% (95% CI: -5.1 – 39.6; p = 0.123) when comparing the two districts. Male involvement improved (39.2% vs 80.9%) with a net intervention effect of 41.1% (CI: 28.5 – 53.8; p < .0001). Improvements were demonstrated in men’s knowledge level, in escorting partners for antenatal care and delivery, making birth preparations, and shared decision-making. The intervention, in educating this rural community, is effective in improving knowledge, birth preparedness, male involvement and use of skilled care.

Muitos esforços mundiais têm sido empregados para melhorar as condições de saúde na gestação e nascimento. A cada ano, aproximadamente 350 mil mulheres morrem durante a gravidez ou parto, sendo que 99% dessas mortes acontecem em países em desenvolvimento. O Ministério da Saúde vem desenvolvendo ações no sentido de melhorar o quadro da assistência materna, promovendo atividades para qualificar os profissionais e fomentar a atenção obstétrica e neonatal humanizada baseada em evidências científicas, além de garantir os direitos sexuais e reprodutivos das mulheres brasileiras. O cenário encontrado é de marginalização da enfermagem obstétrica; a enfermeira obstétrica apresenta dificuldades na atuação, tanto na realização de consultas obstétricas quanto no acompanhamento do parto e nascimento. Sua prática se mostra desprivilegiada de poder, pois não há reconhecimento da sua qualificação profissional. Este estudo tem como objetivos compreender a vivência da enfermeira obstétrica no cenário da admissão, pré-parto, parto e pós-parto imediato e interpretar os aspectos facilitadores e dificultadores de sua inserção nos serviços de atenção maternal. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, desenvolvida com um grupo de enfermeiras obstétricas da cidade de Londrina-PR. A coleta de dados foi desenvolvida no mês de dezembro de 2015 através das seguintes etapas: 1. Entrevista individual e semiestruturada com 20 enfermeiras obstétricas, tendo como critério de seleção a atuação nos serviços de atenção materna, nos setores de admissão, pré-parto, parto e pós-parto imediato por pelo menos um ano; 2. Aplicação da metodologia Photovoice com a participação de 10 enfermeiras obstétricas, pretendendo compreender as fragilidades e potencialidades encontradas em sua prática assistencial. Nesta fase, as enfermeiras obstétricas produziram e apresentaram as fotografias em um grupo focal para discussão, gerando os temas de análise, que, em conjunto com os dados obtidos nas entrevistas individuais, formaram a base teórica que possibilitou alcançar os objetivos propostos no estudo. O referencial teórico adotado foi a antropologia interpretativa, com o enfoque na cultura das organizações, que permitiu a análise e compreensão dos dados. Os resultados foram descritos e analisados em torno de cinco categorias temáticas, das quais as três iniciais emergiram das entrevistas iniciais e as outras duas do grupo focal com a metodologia photovoice, a saber: Acolhimento e vínculo: cuidados assistenciais que transmitem segurança à parturiente; Autonomia na enfermagem obstétrica: percepções da prática assistencial; Sentimentos emanados na atenção da enfermeira obstétrica nos cenários da admissão, pré-parto, parto e pós-parto imediato; Fatores facilitadores na assistência da enfermeira obstétrica: potencialidades emanadas nos cenários de admissão, pré- parto, parto e pós-parto imediato; Fatores dificultadores na assistência da enfermeira obstétrica: fragilidades afloradas nos cenários de admissão, pré-parto, parto e pós-parto imediato. A situação encontrada é a de desprivilégio da assistência obstétrica: em quase todas as instituições prevalece ainda o modelo biomédico, concentrado em intervenções e com poucas ações de humanização. Mesmo quando as enfermeiras obstétricas estão inseridas na assistência, elas encontram obstáculos para o desenvolvimento de sua prática assistencial, tanto pela equipe multiprofissional em que estão inseridas quanto pelas organizações onde atuam. Foram apontados como facilitadores/potencialidades o estabelecimento do planejamento familiar, a humanização na assistência ao parto, o trabalho em equipe, a educação continuada e permanente, a autonomia, a infraestrutura adequada. Já como pontos fragilidades/dificuldades, a ausência de pré-natal completo, a falta de realização de partos nas maternidades onde atuam, a ausência ou demora no estabelecimento do contato precoce mãe e filho, a falta de informatização nos processos burocráticos, a violência obstétrica e a falta de estrutura adequada. Por fim, considera-se que os resultados apontaram para uma realidade cultural que não pode ficar omissa. As enfermeiras obstétricas são profissionais capacitadas para atuarem na humanização da assistência e contribuírem para a redução de índices de morbimortalidade materna em nosso país. Logo, os achados deste estudo podem fomentar ações e mudanças nas organizações de saúde. / Many worldwide efforts have been employed to improve health conditions during pregnancy and birth. Each year, approximately 350,000 women die during pregnancy or childbirth, and 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries. The Ministry of Health has been developing actions to improve the framework for maternal care, promoting activities to qualify professionals and foster obstetric and neonatal care humanized based on scientific evidence, and ensure sexual and reproductive rights of Brazilian women. The setting is found marginalization of midwifery, midwife has difficulty in acting, both in performing obstetrical consultations and in monitoring the labor and birth. His practice shown underprivileged power because there is no recognition of their professional qualifications. This study aims to understand the experience of midwife at the admission stage, pre-natal, delivery and immediate postpartum period and interpret the advantages and constraints of their inclusion in the maternal care services. This is a qualitative research conducted with a group of midwives in the city of Londrina. Data collection was developed in December 2015 through the following steps: 1. Individual interview and semi-structured interviews with 20 midwives, with the selection criteria acting in maternal care services, the admission sectors, pre- labor, delivery and immediate postpartum period for at least 1 year; 2. Photovoice Methodology application with the participation of 10 midwives, intending to understand the weaknesses and strengths found in their care practice. At this stage, midwife produced and presented the photos in a focus group for discussion, generating the analysis of topics, together with the data obtained in individual interviews formed the theoretical basis which allowed achieve the objectives proposed in the study. The theoretical framework adopted was the interpretive anthropology, with a focus on culture of organizations, which allowed the analysis and understanding of the data. The results were described and analyzed around five thematic categories, the first three emerged from the initial interviews and the other two focus group with photovoice methodology, namely: Reception and attachment: supportive care that transmit security to the woman in labor; Autonomy in midwifery: perceptions of nursing practice; Feelings emanating from the care of the midwife in the admission of scenarios, antepartum, delivery and immediate postpartum; Factors facilitators in the midwife assistance: emanating potential in admission scenarios, antepartum, delivery and immediate postpartum; Hindering factors in midwife care: weaknesses touched upon the admission of scenarios, antepartum, delivery and immediate postpartum. The situation found is the marginalization of obstetric care in almost all institutions still prevails the biomedical model, focused on interventions and few humanizing actions, even when midwives are placed in care, they are obstacles to the development of its care practice, both by the multidisciplinary team where they are inserted as the organizations where they work. Were appointed as facilitators / potential establishment of family planning, the humanization of childbirth care, teamwork, continuous and permanent education, autonomy, adequate infrastructure. Already as points weaknesses / difficulties the absence of complete prenatal care, the lack of completion of deliveries in hospitals where they operate, the absence or delay in early contact establishment mother and child, the lack of computerization in bureaucratic processes, obstetric violence and lack of adequate structure. Finally, it is considered that the results pointed to a cultural reality that cannot be silent. Midwife are professionals trained to work in the humanization of care and contribute to the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality rates in our country. Thus, the findings of this study can foster action and change in healthcare organizations.

A utilização do partograma para o acompanhamento do trabalho de parto tem sido recomendada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde desde 1984. Esta investigação foi conduzida com a finalidade de estudar o emprego de práticas obstétricas em mulheres, cuja assistência foi prestada por enfermeiras obstetras e o trabalho de parto foi acompanhado com o auxílio do partograma com linhas de alerta e de ação. O objetivo geral foi analisar o uso de intervenções obstétricas, o tipo de parto, os diagnósticos obstétricos e os resultados perinatais, segundo as Zonas I, II e III do partograma. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com uma amostra de 233 mulheres com gestação única, apresentação cefálica, idade gestacional maior que 37 semanas atendidas em uma maternidade pública do município de Itapecerica da Serra no período de 15 de dezembro de 2004 a 15 de março de 2005. A análise comparativa foi feita com os testes Qui-quadrado e Exato de Fischer para estudar as diferenças entre as classes das variáveis. O nível de significância adotado foi 0,05. Os resultados mostraram idade média de 24,1 anos (dp= 5,8); 39,5% nulíparas; 78,5% foram internadas com dinâmica uterina presente; 69,1% com membranas íntegras; e 63,9% estavam na fase ativa do trabalho de parto. As práticas banho (71,4%) p=0,001; movimento (85,2%) p=0,001 e deambulação (85,7%) p=0,009 foram mais utilizadas na Zona III. A rotura artificial foi mais empregada na Zona II (92,4%) p=0,001, a ocitocina (45,9%) p=0,010 na Zona I. As intervenções monitorização eletrônica fetal (p=0,527), fármaco (p=0,158), posição de parto (p=0,150) e episiotomia (p=0,055) não apresentaram diferenças estaticamente significantes entre as três zonas do partograma. Quanto ao tipo de parto a cesariana ocorreu em 24,0 na zona III (p=0,001). Os resultados perinatais não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante entre as Zonas do partograma / The utilization of the partogram in tracking the course of labor has been recommended by the World Health Organization ever since 1994. This investigation was conducted to study the usage of obstetrical practices in women who were assisted by nurse midwives and whose delivery was aided by the partogram with alert and action lines. The overall goal was to analyze the use of obstetrical interventions, the type of delivery, the obstetrical diagnoses and the perinatal results, according to zones I, II and III of the partogram. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a representative sample of 233 women with a single gestation, cephalic presentation, gestational age with more than 37 weeks, and assisted in a public maternity hospital in the city of Itapecerica da Serra - Brazil, in the period from December 15, 2004 to March 15, 2005. The comparative analyses were performed with the Qui-square and the Fischer’s exact tests to study the differences among the classes of variables. The level of significance adopted was 0,05. The results showed the average age of 24,1 years old (standard deviation=5,8); 39,5% nuliparas; 78,5% were admitted with the presence of a uterine dynamic; 69,1% with intact membranes; and 63,9% were at the active phase of labor. The practices shower (71,4%) p=0,001, movement (85,2%) p=0,001, and deambulation (85,7%) p=o,009 were more often utilized in Zone III. The artificial rupture was more often employed in Zone II (92,4%) p=0,001; occitocin (45,9%) p=0,010, in Zone I. The interventions electronic fetal monitoring (p=0,527), pharmaco (p=0,158), delivery position (p=0,150), and episiotomy (p=0,055) did not present statistically significant differences among the three zones of the partogram. As for the type of delivery, the cesarean delivery took place in 24,0 % in Zone III (p=0.001). The perinatal results did not present statistically significant differences among the zones of the partogram

Tem havido consenso de que a atenção qualificada ao parto e nascimento é uma intervenção fundamental para tornar as gestações e partos mais seguros, visto que apenas 53% das mulheres em países em desenvolvimento são atendidas no parto por pessoal qualificado. As evidências epidemiológicas mostram que existe uma relação entre a atenção qualificada ao parto e o declínio da mortalidade materna. Este estudo buscou conhecer a realidade do atendimento a parturientes, realizado pela enfermagem nas maternidades do município de Rio Branco-AC. Objetivos: identificar e descrever o perfil dos profissionais de enfermagem que atuam na atenção ao trabalho de parto e parto normal, e analisar as competências essenciais desenvolvidas por eles nesta prática. Metodologia: estudo descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado em duas maternidades. A população estudada foi composta por 30 profissionais de enfermagem (02 enfermeiras, 07 enfermeiras obstétricas, 08 técnicas de enfermagem e 13 auxiliares de enfermagem). A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevistas e observações sistemáticas das competências essenciais em obstetrícia. Foram observados 14 admissões, 34 evoluções de trabalho de parto, 11 partos normais e 11 pósparto. A estatística descritiva e o teste exato de Fisher foram usados para análise dos dados. Resultados: perfil dos profissionais: a média de idade dos profissionais foi de 41 anos, 50% casados ou com parceria fixa, 60% com mais de 10 anos de formação profissional, com uma média de 130 meses de experiência na assistência ao parto, com carga horária média semanal de trabalho de 63,37 horas, e 40% deles trabalham em mais de uma instituição, apenas 05 (16,66%) não realizam parto. Daqueles que realizam parto normal, 18 (72%) receberam treinamento informal para realizar o parto, acompanhando ou sendo acompanhado por outro profissional, durante a jornada de trabalho, os demais ? 07 (28%) ? são enfermeiras obstétricas que foram capacitadas por meio de programas de pós-graduação lato sensu. O tempo de treinamento daquelas sem capacitação formal variou de 10 dias a dois anos. Os resultados revelam que apenas 28% dos profissionais são considerados qualificados para a atenção ao parto. As competências essenciais: várias práticas obstétricas recomendadas pela OMS são adotadas pelas instituições, enquanto outras não. Muitas das habilidades essenciais em obstetrícia deixaram de ser desenvolvidas ou, quando realizadas, aconteceram de forma incompleta. O modelo de divisão de trabalho para o desempenho das competências obstétricas de maior complexidade nas instituições estudadas mostrou diferenças significantes, revelando que a delegação de tais tarefas está mais na dependência da categoria profissional do que na qualificação profissional para o seu desempenho. Conclusões: de acordo com os critérios e requisitos estabelecidos pelas políticas internacionais sobre o atendimento qualificado ao parto, a realidade revela carência de pessoal qualificado. O modelo de atenção é caracterizado por uma divisão de trabalho que não privilegia a qualificação profissional. Muitas das competências essenciais em obstetrícia não estão sendo contempladas. Revelando, portanto, a necessidade de investimentos na formação de profissionais e na reorganização da assistência, para que se possa realmente modificar a realidade da atenção materna e neonatal no Norte do país. / There is a consensus that qualified attention to birth and delivery is a fundamental intervention that makes both pregnancy and delivery safer. This is a fact, if it is considered that only 53% of women in developing countries are assisted by qualified professionals at the moment of delivery. Epidemiologic evidence shows that there is a relationship between qualified assistance to delivery and decrease in maternal mortality. This study aimed to describe the reality of the nursing assistance offered to parturients at hospital birth centers in the city of Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. Goals: identify and describe the profile of nursing professionals who assist women in labor and natural delivery, and analyze the essential competences developed by those professionals in their practice. Method: a descriptive study using quantitative approach, performed at two hospital birth centers. The studied population was composed of 30 nursing professionals (2 nurses, 7 obstetric nurses, 8 nurse technicians and 13 nursing assistants). Data collection was done through interviews and systematic observations of the essential competences in obstetrics. The following situations were observed: 14 admissions, 34 labors, 11 natural deliveries, and 11 postpartum. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and Fisher exact test. Results: profile of the nursing professionals: average age of 41 years; 50% married or in a stable relationship; 60% have over 10 years of professional experience with an average of 130 months of experience in delivery assistance; average weekly work load of 63.37 hours; 40% worked in more than one institution; only 5 individuals (16.66%) did not perform delivery. Of those who perform natural deliveries, 18 (72%) received informal training and are therefore observed or helped by another health professional. Informal training time ranged from 10 days to 2 years. The other 7 individuals (28%) are obstetric nurses who received training in graduate programs (specialization). Results show that only 28% of nursing professionals are considered qualified enough to provide delivery assistance. The institutions adopt some of the WHO obstetric recommendations but fail to adopt others. Several essential obstetric skills are not performed, or, if performed, they are followed incompletely. The model of division of work adopted by the studied institutions to perform high complexity obstetric skills showed significant differences, and revealed that delegating such tasks is more linked to the professional category than to professional qualification. Conclusions: based on the criteria and requirements established by international policies on qualified delivery assistance, the reality shows a need for qualified professionals. The model of attention is characterized by a division of work that does not privilege professional qualification. Many essential obstetric competences are not being followed. Therefore, there is a need to invest in professional training and to reorganize the offered assistance in order to improve the reality of maternal and neonatal attention in Northern Brazil.

Estudo qualitativo, baseado na história oral temática sobre a experiência da mulher e de seu acompanhante no processo parto e nascimento em uma maternidade pública em Curitiba-Paraná. O estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a experiência de mulheres e de seus acompanhantes no processo de parto. A coleta de dados foi realizada no período de outubro de 2012 a maio de 2013, utilizando entrevistas semiestruturadas individuais. Os colaboradores do estudo foram 11 mulheres e 11 acompanhantes presentes no processo de parto e nascimento e convidados a participar da pesquisa durante as oficinas do projeto de extensão universitária Preparo para o parto acompanhado. As entrevistas foram gravadas, transcritas e retextualizadas; após foi extraído o tom vital. Os colaboradores conferiram as versões retextualizadas das narrativas e assinaram a Carta de Cessão. Os dados foram analisados tematicamente e separados em três temas: 1) experiências no processo de parto acompanhado; 2) atuação dos profissionais na visão das mulheres e dos acompanhantes; 3) as contradições e barreiras na vivência do parto. Neste estudo destacaram-se a escolha das mulheres pela presença dos maridos/companheiros; os motivos da escolha, tais como segurança, apoio e tranquilidade; as experiências do nascimento e o papel do acompanhante. As medidas para o alívio da dor, o respeito às escolhas da mulher sobre as posições do parto e as atitudes de alguns profissionais foram apontados como aspectos facilitadores no processo de parto acompanhado. Foram encontradas contradições do modelo de atenção ao parto e dificuldades para a inserção do acompanhante no processo de parto e nascimento, entre elas algumas situações de restrição ao acesso do acompanhante, aspectos organizacionais de estrutura e o comportamento de alguns profissionais de saúde. Algumas práticas apontam para uma melhoria da assistência prestada às mulheres e suas famílias no processo de parto e nascimento. Conclui-se que a participação do acompanhante no processo de parto no modelo de assistência ao parto vigente ainda encontra barreiras para que se realize plenamente no modelo do parto humanizado preconizado pela Organização Mundial de Saúde e Ministério da Saúde / Qualitative study based on oral history of womens experiences and their companions during the process of labor and childbirth at a public maternity in Curitiba, Paraná State/Brazil. The study objectified to apprehend the experience of women and their companions during the childbirth process. Data collection was held between October, 2012 and May, 2013 by means of individual semi-structured interviews. The collaborators in the study were 11 women and 11 companions present during the childbirth process, and invited to participate in the research during the workshops of the university extension project Preparation for childbirth companions. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and retextualized; after that, the vital tone was extracted. The collaborators checked the retextualized versions of the narratives and signed the Cession Letter. Data were thematically analyzed and separated in three themes: 1) experiences during the process of accompanied childbirth; 2) professionals performance viewed by the women and their companions; 3) contradictions and obstacles during childbirth experience. In this study, it can be pointed out: womens choice for the presence of their husbands/partners; the reasons for that choice, such as safety, support and assuredness; childbirth experiences and the companions role. Procedures for pain relief, respect for the womens choices on the positions during delivery, and some professionals attitudes were pointed as facilitators during the accompanied childbirth process. Contradictions in the childbirth caring model as well as companions constraints for their insertion in the childbirth process were found, among them, some restrictive situations of companions access, organizational, structural aspects and some health professionals behavior. Some practices point to care improvement rendered to women and their families during the childbirth process. It is concluded that companions participation during the childbirth process under the current caring model still finds some hurdles for the full achievement of the humanized childbirth caring model advocated by the World Health Organization and Brazilian Ministry of Health