Dialogue on Childbirth with Family Health Teams during Prenatal Care: A Communicative Study

Abstract

Dialogue between pregnant women and health professionals about childbirth can be an important tool for prompting changes in the practice of cesarean deliveries in Brazil. However, prioritizing this topic in prenatal care and the way it is addressed are directly related to its assessment and to the difficulties concerning the approach. Objectives: Analyze, in conjunction with family health teams, the elements that make it difficult to address the issue of childbirth in prenatal care. Materials and method: This is a qualitative study in which the communicative methodology was used to identify elements that facilitate and/or hamper the implementation of a particular practice or benefit. Communicative discussion groups were held with the teams between 2013 and 2014. Results: The elements that pose difficulty permeate professional training, the process and working conditions in the health units, and interfere in educational activities, in the lack of articulation between basic and hospital care, and in the personal experiences of professionals concerning this subject. All of these aspects negatively influence the approach to childbirth. Conclusions: Investment in professional training on issues related to childbirth is needed, with room for dialogue that makes it possible to explore possibilities for overcoming institutional difficulties and provides professionals with an opportunity to express their own experiences in order to undo myths and beliefs with respect to childbirth.