Characteristics of prenatal care performed by nurses in a city in Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Introduction: Prenatal care is essential for obstetric qualification and health promotion for women, newborns and society. The care occurs predominantly in Primary Health Care, in which the nurse represents an important professional in the reception, classification of gestational risk, evaluation and prescription of exams, performance of anamnesis and physical examination, definition of a care plan with guidelines and periodic evaluations. Method: This is a qualitative research of the descriptive type, in consideration of the object of study, since this type of research allows, in a systematized way, the identification, registration, description and analysis of the perspectives of the participants about the relationships and interactions related to prenatal care. To this end, the study had the participation of 15 nurses who work in the Family Health Strategy scenario of the Municipality of Teresópolis, in the Mountain Region of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The results evidenced is that the participants reported that the greatest approximation with women's health care emerged since their academic training and that this is a practice valued by them in the context of primary care. Other results were: extrinsic: insertion of the pregnant woman in the network, referrals of the pregnant woman in the network, adolescent pregnancy and nurses' autonomy in requesting tests and prescribing medications. Final Considerations: From the accomplishment of this study, it was possible to perceive that the professionals of the network provide qualified and systematized prenatal care. The reports show a relationship of identification and satisfaction in prenatal care by the research participants, although they face challenges.