Vulnerabilities among homeless women experiencing pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium

Abstract

Abstract Objective to understand the aspects that confer vulnerabilities to the women who experience pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium on the streets. Method qualitative research developed with twelve women in a southern city of Brazil, through a thematic analysis with in-depth interviews, in light of the Vulnerability and Human Rights framework. Results three thematic categories describe situations of discrimination and violence that have repercussions on vulnerabilities during pregnancy and prenatal care, when (invisible) women become (visible) mothers, and at the time of childbirth, in which (the lack of) care and assistance is evident, and also in the puerperium, marked by the breaking of bonds with the babies. Conclusions and implications for practice successive interventions of control, carelessness, misinformation and negligence, as well as the lack of acceptance and support made explicit the lack of actions and public policies that value the singularities of these women. From the findings, it is understood the urgency of raising the awareness of health professionals to act respecting the autonomy of these women for the full exercise of their sexual and reproductive rights, as well as the implementation of strategies for the construction of a health care committed to justice and social protection, mitigating vulnerabilities and promoting rights.