Guía de recomendaciones para la atención de personas gestantes y recién nacidas: Dirigida a los establecimientos de salud de la Ciudad en el marco de la legislación vigente sobre la atención perinatal

Las siguientes recomendaciones se enmarcan dentro de La Ley Nacional 25.929 de Parto Humanizado y la ley 6365/20 de Parto respetado y atención perinatal, recientemente sancionada en la CABA, que establecen la regulación de los mecanismos y condiciones necesarias para asegurar el parto respetado, garantizando los derechos de las personas gestantes, antes, durante y después del parto, al igual que un nacimiento digno de las personas por nacer (art.1). Asimismo, la Resolución 171/2020 de la Subsecretaría de Atención Hospitalaria de la CABA, sobre consentimiento informado para trabajo de parto espontáneo, inducción, trabajo de parto o cesárea, trata sobre la implementación de acciones positivas tendientes a brindar una adecuada y oportuna información a las personas sobre los aspectos esenciales vinculados a su salud para que, con todas las herramientas brindadas, puedan tomar una decisión sobre los tratamientos médicos aconsejados, por imperio de la autonomía personal. El embarazo, el parto y el nacimiento son eventos o hechos fisiológicos, que en su gran mayoría no presentan complicaciones por lo que no deben ser entendidos como una situación patológica o de enfermedad. Desde esta mirada, se torna imprescindible recuperar el protagonismo de la persona gestante, para que en un contexto de respeto y comunicación efectiva por parte del equipo de salud, participe de manera activa en la toma de decisiones seguras e informadas, a fin eliminar las intervenciones innecesarias. (AU)

Resilience and Stress during Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Multidimensional Approach in Maternal and Perinatal Health.

This narrative review addresses resilience and stress during pregnancy, which is part of a broader concept of maternal health. Pregnancy and postpartum are opportune periods for health promotion interventions, especially because the close contact of the women with health professionals. In this way, it can be considered a useful window of opportunity to identify women at higher risk for adverse outcomes. Integrated health is a concept that aims at providing comprehensive care related to the promotion of individuals' physical, mental, and social well-being. In this context, stress during pregnancy has been targeted as a remarkable condition to be addressed whether due to individual issues, social issues, or specific pregnancy issues, since it is directly and indirectly associated with pregnancy complications. Stress is associated with preterm birth, postpartum depression, anxiety, child neurodevelopment, and fetal distress. The way that an individual faces a stressful and adverse situation is called resilience; this reaction is individual, dynamic, and contextual, and it can affect maternal and fetal outcomes. Low resilience has been associated with poorer pregnancy outcomes. The social context of pregnancy can act as a protective or contributory (risk) factor, indicating that environments of high social vulnerability play a negative role in resilience and, consequently, in perceived stress. A given stressor can be enhanced or mitigated depending on the social context that was imposed, as well as it can be interpreted as different degrees of perceived stress and faced with a higher or lower degree of resilience. Understanding these complex mechanisms may be valuable for tackling this matter. Therefore, in the pregnancy-puerperal period, the analysis of the stress-resilience relationship is essential, especially in contexts of greater social vulnerability, and is a health-promoting factor for both the mother and baby.

Trends in Perinatal Practices and Neonatal Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Infants during a 16-year Period at NEOCOSUR Centers.

OBJECTIVE: To describe trends in mortality, major morbidity, and perinatal care practices of very low birth weight infants born at NEOCOSUR Neonatal Network centers from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2016. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from all inborn infants with a birthweight of 500-1500 g and 23-35 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: We examined data for 13 987 very low birth weight infants with a mean birth weight of 1081 ± 281 g and a gestational age of 28.8 ± 2.9 weeks. Overall mortality was 26.8% without significant changes throughout the study period. Decreases in early onset sepsis from 6.3% to 2.8% (P <.001), late onset sepsis from 21.1% to 19.5% (P = .002), retinopathy of prematurity from 21.3% to 13.8% (P <.001), and hydrocephalus from 3.8% to 2.4% (P <.001), were observed. The incidence for bronchopulmonary dysplasia decreased from 17.3% to 16% (P = .043), incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage was 10.4%, necrotizing enterocolitis 11.1%, and periventricular leukomalacia 3.8%, and did not change over the study period. Administration of antenatal corticosteroids increased from 70.2% to 82.3% and cesarean delivery from 65.9% to 75.4% (P <.001). The use of conventional mechanical ventilation decreased from 67.7% to 63.9% (P <.001) and continuous positive airway pressure use increased from 41.3% to 64.3% (P <.001). Survival without major morbidity increased from 37.4% to 44.5% over the study period (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Progress in perinatal and neonatal care at network centers was associated with an improvement in survival without major morbidity of very low birth weight infants during a 16-year period. However, overall mortality remained unchanged.

Perinatal care in a northeastern brazilian state: structure, work processes, and evaluation of the components of essential newborn care / Cuidado perinatal em um estado do nordeste brasileiro: estrutura, processos de trabalho e avaliação dos componentes do essential newborn care

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the structure and the processes of care for pregnant women/newborn infants, including the Essential Newborn Care (ENC), in maternity hospitals in Sergipe State, Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out between June 2015 and April 2016 in all maternity hospitals of Sergipe with more than 500 deliveries/year (n=11). A questionnaire on the existing structure and work processes was administered to the managers. Subsequently, a representative number of postpartum women from these hospitals were interviewed (n=768). Their medical records, as well as newborn infants' records, were also analyzed. Results: Sergipe has 78 beds of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and 90 beds of Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) to meet spontaneous and programmed demand. Only six maternity hospitals (54.5%) performed the risk classification, and four (36.3%) had protocols for high-risk parturient care. Regarding the ENC components, only 41% (n=315) of the women had early skin-to-skin contact with their babies, 33.1% (n=254) breastfed in the first hour of life, and 18% (n=138) had a companion always during birth. Conclusions: The distribution of NICU beds between capital city and other cities of the State is adequate, considering Brazilian guidelines. However, there was a low adherence to the protocols for hypertensive and hemorrhagic emergencies, and a low coverage of humanization policies, pregnancy risk classification and ENC practices, especially breastfeeding in the first hour of life, and companion always during birth.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever a estrutura e os processos de atendimento a gestante/recém-nascido, incluindo os componentes do Essential Newborn Care (ENC), das maternidades de Sergipe, Brasil. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado entre junho de 2015 e abril de 2016 em todas as maternidades de Sergipe (n=11) com mais de 500 partos/ano. Foi aplicado um questionário aos gestores sobre a estrutura e os processos de trabalhos existentes. Posteriormente, um número representativo de puérperas desses hospitais foi entrevistado (n=768) e seus prontuários, bem como o dos recém-nascidos, foram analisados. Resultados: Sergipe conta com 78 leitos de Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN) e 90 de Unidade Intermediária (UI) para atendimento da demanda espontânea e programada. Somente seis maternidades (54,5%) realizam a classificação de risco e quatro (36,3%) possuem protocolos para atendimento das parturientes de alto risco. No que se refere aos componentes do ENC, apenas 41% (n=315) das mulheres tiveram contato pele a pele precoce com seu filho, 33,1% (n=254) amamentaram na primeira hora de vida e 18% (n=138) tiveram a presença do acompanhante em todos os momentos do parto. Conclusões: A distribuição de leitos de UTIN entre capital/interior é adequada no Estado, levando-se em consideração a legislação vigente no país. Entretanto, houve baixa adesão aos protocolos das emergências hipertensivas e hemorrágicas, e baixa cobertura das políticas de humanização, da classificação de risco para a gestante e das práticas do ENC, principalmente quanto à amamentação na primeira hora de vida e à presença do acompanhante na parturição.

PERINATAL CARE IN A NORTHEASTERN BRAZILIAN STATE: STRUCTURE, WORK PROCESSES, AND EVALUATION OF THE COMPONENTS OF ESSENTIAL NEWBORN CARE.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the structure and the processes of care for pregnant women/newborn infants, including the Essential Newborn Care (ENC), in maternity hospitals in Sergipe State, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study carried out between June 2015 and April 2016 in all maternity hospitals of Sergipe with more than 500 deliveries/year (n=11). A questionnaire on the existing structure and work processes was administered to the managers. Subsequently, a representative number of postpartum women from these hospitals were interviewed (n=768). Their medical records, as well as newborn infants' records, were also analyzed. RESULTS: Sergipe has 78 beds of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and 90 beds of Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) to meet spontaneous and programmed demand. Only six maternity hospitals (54.5%) performed the risk classification, and four (36.3%) had protocols for high-risk parturient care. Regarding the ENC components, only 41% (n=315) of the women had early skin-to-skin contact with their babies, 33.1% (n=254) breastfed in the first hour of life, and 18% (n=138) had a companion always during birth. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of NICU beds between capital city and other cities of the State is adequate, considering Brazilian guidelines. However, there was a low adherence to the protocols for hypertensive and hemorrhagic emergencies, and a low coverage of humanization policies, pregnancy risk classification and ENC practices, especially breastfeeding in the first hour of life, and companion always during birth.

[The vulnerability of Afro-Brazilian women in perinatal care in the Unified Health System: analysis of the Active Ombudsman survey]. / Vulnerabilidade de mulheres negras na atenção ao pré-natal e ao parto no SUS: análise da pesquisa da Ouvidoria Ativa.

With principles of respect to the protection and implementation of human rights, cultural, ethnic and racial diversity and also the promotion of equity, the Stork Network ensures the right to reproductive planning and continued provision of care in maternal and child health. This study sought to evaluate the Active Ombudsman Survey of the Stork Network conducted with women who had their births assisted by the Unified Health System (SUS) in 2012, in order to analyze ethnic/racial differences in prenatal and childbirth care. This descriptive study used the secondary database from the survey conducted by the SUS Ombudsman. The universe of this investigation was constituted by 253,647 women, and 50.8% self-declared themselves as brown, 35.4% white, 10.6% black 2.1% yellow, 0.6% Indians and for 0.5% race/color was not informed. Women of black/brown race appear to be worse off in socioeconomic characteristics, prenatal and childbirth care, in all variables studied, except concerning aggression and supplementary payment. Knowledge about inequalities and vulnerability of this group may serve to alert society and the government, and as a guideline for the development of policies and actions to reduce health inequalities.

Com princípios de respeito à proteção e à implementação dos direitos humanos, à diversidade cultural, étnica e racial e à promoção da equidade, a Rede Cegonha assegura direitos ao planejamento reprodutivo e provimento contínuo das ações de atenção à saúde materna e infantil. Este trabalho objetivou analisar diferenças na atenção ao pré-natal e ao parto no SUS segundo raça/cor a partir de dados da Pesquisa da Ouvidoria Ativa da Rede Cegonha em 2012. Este estudo descritivo utilizou o banco de dados secundários da pesquisa da Ouvidoria Geral do SUS. Constituíram o universo desta investigação 253.647 mulheres, sendo que 50,8% se autodeclararam pardas, 35,4% brancas, 10,6% pretas, 2,1% amarelas, 0,6% indígenas e de 0,5% sem informações sobre raça/cor. As mulheres de raça/cor preta/parda aparecem em piores condições nas características socioeconômicas, na assistência ao pré-natal e ao parto, em todas as variáveis estudadas, menos para agressão no parto e pagamento suplementar. Esse conhecimento sobre iniquidades e vulnerabilidades deve servir de alerta para a sociedade e para o poder público como diretriz para a elaboração de políticas e ações destinadas a reduzir desigualdades em saúde.

[New childbirth practices and the challenges for the humanization of health care in southern and southeastern Brazil]. / Novas práticas de atenção ao parto e os desafios para a humanização da assistência nas regiões sul e sudeste do Brasil.

The humanization of care in childbirth and the choice of performing cesarean or vaginal delivery have long been discussed in Brazil and worldwide. The complexities of the factors surrounding this issue range from the quality of obstetric care through to the significance of childbirth for women. A new proposal for humanization of delivery was introduced by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the objectives of which were to make changes to the current system of delivery practices regarding, access, care, quality and resolution, in order to make it a more human and less technical experience. The Sofia Feldman Hospital, in Belo Horizonte - MG, is a benchmark in the adoption of best practices in care during childbirth, according to the Brazilian National Health Agency. However, for the humanization to become a national reality, there are still many challenges to be overcome within the public health system and the private partnerships. The most important problems are related with the current education system that continues to prepare health professionals to act in an interventional way, focused on the physician figure. This study aims to provide an overview about the different humanized care practices focused on pregnancy and childbirth, conducted in southern and southeastern Brazil.

Os diferentes modelos de assistência ao parto e a escolha pela realização de cesáreas ou parto vaginal há tempos são debatidos no Brasil e no mundo. A complexidade dos fatores que cercam o tipo de parto escolhido e sua assistência tem suscitado questionamentos que vão desde a qualidade da atenção obstétrica até o significado da parturição para as mulheres. Assim, a nova proposta do Ministério da Saúde (MS), de humanização na atenção ao parto estabelecendo mudanças em relação ao acesso, assistência, qualidade e resolutividade, tem por objetivo tornar a experiência da gestação mais humanizada e menos tecnicista. O Hospital Sofia Feldman, em Belo Horizonte (MG), é tido como referência pelas boas práticas nessa área, de acordo com a Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar. Para que a humanização do cuidado gestacional se torne uma realidade nacional ainda existem muitos desafios a serem superados dentro dos sistemas de saúde, como problemas, sobretudo quanto ao sistema de formação educacional, o qual continua a preparar profissionais de saúde dentro do modelo intervencionista, focado na figura do médico. O presente estudo tem por objetivo fornecer um panorama acerca das diferentes práticas assistenciais humanizadas, voltadas à gestação e ao parto, realizadas nas regiões sul e sudeste do Brasil.

Vulnerabilidade de mulheres negras na atenção ao pré-natal e ao parto no SUS: análise da pesquisa da Ouvidoria Ativa / The vulnerability of Afro-Brazilian women in perinatal care in the Unified Health System: analysis of the Active Ombudsman survey

Resumo Com princípios de respeito à proteção e à implementação dos direitos humanos, à diversidade cultural, étnica e racial e à promoção da equidade, a Rede Cegonha assegura direitos ao planejamento reprodutivo e provimento contínuo das ações de atenção à saúde materna e infantil. Este trabalho objetivou analisar diferenças na atenção ao pré-natal e ao parto no SUS segundo raça/cor a partir de dados da Pesquisa da Ouvidoria Ativa da Rede Cegonha em 2012. Este estudo descritivo utilizou o banco de dados secundários da pesquisa da Ouvidoria Geral do SUS. Constituíram o universo desta investigação 253.647 mulheres, sendo que 50,8% se autodeclararam pardas, 35,4% brancas, 10,6% pretas, 2,1% amarelas, 0,6% indígenas e de 0,5% sem informações sobre raça/cor. As mulheres de raça/cor preta/parda aparecem em piores condições nas características socioeconômicas, na assistência ao pré-natal e ao parto, em todas as variáveis estudadas, menos para agressão no parto e pagamento suplementar. Esse conhecimento sobre iniquidades e vulnerabilidades deve servir de alerta para a sociedade e para o poder público como diretriz para a elaboração de políticas e ações destinadas a reduzir desigualdades em saúde.

Abstract With principles of respect to the protection and implementation of human rights, cultural, ethnic and racial diversity and also the promotion of equity, the Stork Network ensures the right to reproductive planning and continued provision of care in maternal and child health. This study sought to evaluate the Active Ombudsman Survey of the Stork Network conducted with women who had their births assisted by the Unified Health System (SUS) in 2012, in order to analyze ethnic/racial differences in prenatal and childbirth care. This descriptive study used the secondary database from the survey conducted by the SUS Ombudsman. The universe of this investigation was constituted by 253,647 women, and 50.8% self-declared themselves as brown, 35.4% white, 10.6% black 2.1% yellow, 0.6% Indians and for 0.5% race/color was not informed. Women of black/brown race appear to be worse off in socioeconomic characteristics, prenatal and childbirth care, in all variables studied, except concerning aggression and supplementary payment. Knowledge about inequalities and vulnerability of this group may serve to alert society and the government, and as a guideline for the development of policies and actions to reduce health inequalities.

Novas práticas de atenção ao parto e os desafios para a humanização da assistência nas regiões sul e sudeste do Brasil / New childbirth practices and the challenges for the humanization of health care in southern and southeastern Brazil

Resumo Os diferentes modelos de assistência ao parto e a escolha pela realização de cesáreas ou parto vaginal há tempos são debatidos no Brasil e no mundo. A complexidade dos fatores que cercam o tipo de parto escolhido e sua assistência tem suscitado questionamentos que vão desde a qualidade da atenção obstétrica até o significado da parturição para as mulheres. Assim, a nova proposta do Ministério da Saúde (MS), de humanização na atenção ao parto estabelecendo mudanças em relação ao acesso, assistência, qualidade e resolutividade, tem por objetivo tornar a experiência da gestação mais humanizada e menos tecnicista. O Hospital Sofia Feldman, em Belo Horizonte (MG), é tido como referência pelas boas práticas nessa área, de acordo com a Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar. Para que a humanização do cuidado gestacional se torne uma realidade nacional ainda existem muitos desafios a serem superados dentro dos sistemas de saúde, como problemas, sobretudo quanto ao sistema de formação educacional, o qual continua a preparar profissionais de saúde dentro do modelo intervencionista, focado na figura do médico. O presente estudo tem por objetivo fornecer um panorama acerca das diferentes práticas assistenciais humanizadas, voltadas à gestação e ao parto, realizadas nas regiões sul e sudeste do Brasil.

Abstract The humanization of care in childbirth and the choice of performing cesarean or vaginal delivery have long been discussed in Brazil and worldwide. The complexities of the factors surrounding this issue range from the quality of obstetric care through to the significance of childbirth for women. A new proposal for humanization of delivery was introduced by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the objectives of which were to make changes to the current system of delivery practices regarding, access, care, quality and resolution, in order to make it a more human and less technical experience. The Sofia Feldman Hospital, in Belo Horizonte - MG, is a benchmark in the adoption of best practices in care during childbirth, according to the Brazilian National Health Agency. However, for the humanization to become a national reality, there are still many challenges to be overcome within the public health system and the private partnerships. The most important problems are related with the current education system that continues to prepare health professionals to act in an interventional way, focused on the physician figure. This study aims to provide an overview about the different humanized care practices focused on pregnancy and childbirth, conducted in southern and southeastern Brazil.

[Regionalization of perinatal health care in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina]. / Regionalización de la atención materna perinatal en la provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: Improve the performance of the regionalization policy in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, as a strategy to improve perinatal health care by analyzing implementation processes and building consensus among decision makers and stakeholders around an action plan. METHODS: Implementation research was conducted using mixed methodology. A needs assessment established tracer indicators to measure adherence to the components of the policy. Actors were studied to identify the barriers and facilitators of implementation. Training was provided on the development of consensus- and evidence-based policies, through workshops in which policy briefs were prepared and through a deliberative dialogue. RESULTS: There were improvements in the number of births in appropriate hospitals and in the number of births in maternity hospitals with Essential Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CONE). Barriers were identified in the referral systems and in communication on policy, which resulted in an initial agreement on the need for guidelines and specific technical training on the transfer of babies and mothers. CONCLUSIONS: The participation of health workers in identifying barriers and strategies to overcome them, and the use of tools to report this to management, permit the adoption of consensus- and evidence-based strategies to improve policy implementation.

Regionalización de la atención materna perinatal en la provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina / Regionalization of perinatal health care in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina

RESUMEN Objetivo Se buscó mejorar el desempeño de la política de regionalización en la provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina, como estrategia para mejorar la atención en salud perinatal mediante el diagnóstico de los procesos de implementación, y la construcción de consensos entre decisores y partes interesadas alrededor de un plan de acción. Métodos Se realizó una investigación en implementación con metodología mixta. Mediante un diagnóstico de situación, se establecieron indicadores trazadores para medir la adherencia a los componentes de la política. A través de un análisis de actores, se identificaron barreras y facilitadores a la implementación. Por medio de talleres para la elaboración de un resumen de políticas y un diálogo deliberativo se brindó capacitación sobre la elaboración de políticas basadas en consenso y evidencia. Resultados Hubo mejoras en la cantidad de nacimientos ocurridos en hospitales adecuados y en aquellos ocurridos en maternidades con Condiciones Obstétricas y Neonatales Esenciales (CONE). Se identificaron barreras en el sistema de referencia y en la comunicación sobre la política, lo que resultó en un acuerdo inicial en el uso de guías y capacitación técnica específica con respecto al traslado de bebés y madres. Conclusiones La participación de agentes de salud en la identificación de las barreras y las estrategias para sortearlas y la utilización de herramientas para informar a la gestión permiten la adopción de estrategias consensuadas y basadas en evidencias para mejorar la implementación de una política.

ABSTRACT Objective Improve the performance of the regionalization policy in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, as a strategy to improve perinatal health care by analyzing implementation processes and building consensus among decision makers and stakeholders around an action plan. Methods Implementation research was conducted using mixed methodology. A needs assessment established tracer indicators to measure adherence to the components of the policy. Actors were studied to identify the barriers and facilitators of implementation. Training was provided on the development of consensus- and evidence-based policies, through workshops in which policy briefs were prepared and through a deliberative dialogue. Results There were improvements in the number of births in appropriate hospitals and in the number of births in maternity hospitals with Essential Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CONE). Barriers were identified in the referral systems and in communication on policy, which resulted in an initial agreement on the need for guidelines and specific technical training on the transfer of babies and mothers. Conclusions The participation of health workers in identifying barriers and strategies to overcome them, and the use of tools to report this to management, permit the adoption of consensus- and evidence-based strategies to improve policy implementation.

Severe hypertension in pregnancy: Using dynamic checklists to save lives.

Severe hypertension is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The South African Saving Mothers report (2011 - 2013) indicates that cerebral injury due to severe hypertension is resulting in avoidable maternal deaths. This demands that management of severe hypertension in pregnancy needs to be improved. A rapid-acting antihypertensive is recommended for the initial management of severe hypertension during pregnancy. A single dose of a rapid-acting agent may be ineffective, in which case incremental doses of the same medication or another antihypertensive may be required for adequate blood pressure control. To ensure that appropriate antihypertensives at the correct doses are administered, the use of a guideline in a dynamic checklist format is advocated and discussed in this article. It is envisaged that the use of dynamic checklists will be valuable to all healthcare professionals providing care during pregnancy and the puerperium.

The controversy over the restructuring of perinatal emergency services in Portugal and the importance of citizen participation in health care decision-making processes.

This article explores the controversial decision made by the Ministry of Health to restructure the perinatal emergency services in Portugal in 2006. Particular emphasis is given to the protests held across the country against, the actors involved, and the arguments put forward for and against the measure, in an attempt to understand the forms of knowledge and experiences brought to the discussion about the issues raised by the decision, and how different forms of knowledge are reconciled under a democratic process. In addition, this article explores the importance of citizen participation, including that which emerges from conflicting relations, in the formulation of health policies.

The controversy over the restructuring of perinatal emergency services in Portugal and the importance of citizen participation in health care decision-making processes / A controvérsia sobre a restruturação dos serviços de urgência perinatal em Portugal e a importância da participação cidadã em processos de decisão sobre saúde

This article explores the controversial decision made by the Ministry of Health to restructure the perinatal emergency services in Portugal in 2006. Particular emphasis is given to the protests held across the country against, the actors involved, and the arguments put forward for and against the measure, in an attempt to understand the forms of knowledge and experiences brought to the discussion about the issues raised by the decision, and how different forms of knowledge are reconciled under a democratic process. In addition, this article explores the importance of citizen participation, including that which emerges from conflicting relations, in the formulation of health policies.

O artigo examina o processo de restruturação dos serviços de emergência perinatal implementado pelo Ministério da Saúde em Portugal em 2006 e tem como objetivo analisar essa decisão controversa. Especial ênfase é dada aos protestos desencadeados no país contra essa medida, os atores envolvidos e os argumentos contra e a favor, de forma a compreender os conhecimentos e as experiências trazidos para discussão dos problemas suscitados pela decisão tomada e como diferentes formas de conhecimento podem ser conciliadas no âmbito de procedimentos democráticos. Além disso, explora a relevância da participação cidadã na formulação de políticas de saúde, incluindo aquela que emerge de relações conflitantes.

Midwifery and quality care: findings from a new evidence-informed framework for maternal and newborn care.

In this first paper in a series of four papers on midwifery, we aimed to examine, comprehensively and systematically, the contribution midwifery can make to the quality of care of women and infants globally, and the role of midwives and others in providing midwifery care. Drawing on international definitions and current practice, we mapped the scope of midwifery. We then developed a framework for quality maternal and newborn care using a mixed-methods approach including synthesis of findings from systematic reviews of women's views and experiences, effective practices, and maternal and newborn care providers. The framework differentiates between what care is provided and how and by whom it is provided, and describes the care and services that childbearing women and newborn infants need in all settings. We identified more than 50 short-term, medium-term, and long-term outcomes that could be improved by care within the scope of midwifery; reduced maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, reduced stillbirth and preterm birth, decreased number of unnecessary interventions, and improved psychosocial and public health outcomes. Midwifery was associated with more efficient use of resources and improved outcomes when provided by midwives who were educated, trained, licensed, and regulated. Our findings support a system-level shift from maternal and newborn care focused on identification and treatment of pathology for the minority to skilled care for all. This change includes preventive and supportive care that works to strengthen women's capabilities in the context of respectful relationships, is tailored to their needs, focuses on promotion of normal reproductive processes, and in which first-line management of complications and accessible emergency treatment are provided when needed. Midwifery is pivotal to this approach, which requires effective interdisciplinary teamwork and integration across facility and community settings. Future planning for maternal and newborn care systems can benefit from using the quality framework in planning workforce development and resource allocation.

Assessment of the implementation of the model of integrated and humanised midwifery health services in Santiago, Chile.

OBJECTIVES: during 2007 the Chilean Ministry of Public Health introduced the Model of Integrated and Humanized Health Services, in addition to the Clinical Guide for Humanized Care during Delivery. Three years after its implementation, a study was conducted (i) to describe selected clinical outcomes of women who received care within this model, (ii) to identify the degree of maternal-newborn well-being and (iii) to explore the perception of this humanised attention during labour and delivery by both the professional staff (obstetricians and midwives) and consumers. DESIGN AND METHOD: a cross-sectional, descriptive study using both quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted with 508 women who delivered in two major hospitals within the National Health System in the metropolitan area of Santiago, Chile, from September 2010 until June 2011. The quantitative methods included a validated survey of maternal well-being and an adapted version of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) standardised antepartum and intrapartum data set. The qualitative methods included six focus groups discussions (FGDs), with midwives, obstetricians and consumers. Additionally, two in depth interviews were carried out with the directors of the maternity units. FINDINGS: the quantitative findings showed poor implementation of the guidelines: 92.7% of the women had medically induced labours (artificial rupture of the membranes and received oxytocin and epidural anaesthesia), and almost one-third of the women reported discontent with the care they received. The qualitative findings showed that the main complaint perceived by the midwives was that the health system was highly hierarchical and medicalised and that the obstetricians were not engaged in this modality of assistance. The women (consumers) highlighted that professionals (midwives and obstetricians) were highly technically skilled, and they felt confident in their assistance. However, women complained about receiving inadequate personal treatment from these professionals. The obstetricians showed no self-critique, stating that they always expressed concern for their patients and that they provided humanised professional assistance. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: by illuminating the main strengths and weakness with regard to the application of the model, these findings can help to inform strategies and actions to improve its implementation.

Are all skilled birth attendants created equal? A cluster randomised controlled study of non-physician based obstetric care in primary health care clinics in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: the great majority of births in Mexico are attended by physicians. Non-physician health professionals have never been evaluated or compared to the medical model of obstetric care. This study evaluates the relative strengths of adding an obstetric nurse or professional midwife to the physician based team in rural clinics. METHODS: we undertook a cluster-randomised trial in 27 clinics in 2 states with high maternal mortality. Twelve non-physician providers (obstetric nurses (4) and professional midwives (8)) were randomly assigned to clinics; 15 clinics served as control sites. Over an 18-month period in 2009-2010, we evaluated quality of care through chart review and monthly interviews with providers about last three deliveries performed. We analysed practices by creating indices using WHO care guidelines for normal labour and childbirth. Volume of care was assessed using administrative reporting forms. FINDINGS: two thousand two hundred fifty-four pregnancies were followed, and a total of 461 deliveries occurred in study sites. Intervention clinics were more likely to score highly on the index for favourable practices on admission (OR=3.6, 95% CI 2.3-5.8), and during labour, childbirth, and immediately post partum (OR=8.6, 95% CI 2.9-25.6) and less likely to use excessively used or harmful practices during labour, childbirth and immediately post partum (OR=0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.4). There was a significant increase in volume of care in intervention clinics for antenatal visits (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.3, 95% CI 1.2-1.4), deliveries (IRR=2.5, 95% CI 1.7-3.7) and for postpartum visits (IRR=1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.7). INTERPRETATION: the addition of non-physician skilled birth attendants to rural clinics in Mexico where they independently provided basic obstetric services led to improved care and higher coverage than clinics without. The potential value of including a professional midwife or obstetric nurse in all rural clinics providing obstetric care should be considered. FUNDING: Mexican National Institute for Women, Mexican National Center for Gender Equity and Reproductive Health, MacArthur Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.