Challenges faced by obstetric nurses for the promotion of home birth in contemporary times

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the difficulties experienced by obstetric nurses in the promotion of home birth, in order to compare with the data presented in the literature. Methods: Descriptive study with a qualitative approach, carried out between the months of August and October 2019, with seven obstetric nurses from two municipalities in Minas Gerais. Data collection took place through individual interviews guided by a semi-structured script, followed by an analysis of categorical thematic content. Results: From the reading and interpretation of the content, it was possible to establish the following categories: 1) Home or Hospital? The reasons for choosing the lens of obstetric nurses; 2) Barriers experienced by obstetric nurses in promoting home birth; 3) Clues for the promotion of home birth: what can an obstetric nurse? Conclusion: Obstetric nurses face challenges in promoting home birth, many of which are related to knowledge of the common curative paradigm disseminated both by the population and by the team professionals, who consider home birth to be an inappropriate practice