ASSISTANCE TO PLANNED HOME CHILDBIRTH: PROFESSIONAL TRAJECTORY AND SPECIFICITIES OF THE OBSTETRIC NURSE CARE

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the professional trajectory of obstetric nurses, who work in planned home childbirth. Method: a descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach, conducted with 12 obstetric nurses who work in planned home childbirth. The participants were recruited using the non-probabilistic Snowball Sampling technique. In this perspective, semi-structured interviews were used, applied during the months of August to November 2018, in private places in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The collected data were submitted to content analysis in the thematic modality. Results: the research pointed out the value of experience and professional training - important milestones - in the setting of planned home childbirth, and motivators for the work of the professionals, as they enable autonomy. It is also emphasized the need for the obstetric nurse to acquire different skills for home childbirth, not covered during the training process. Conclusion: the results consolidate that obstetric nurses, who work in planned home childbirth and have a professional trajectory focused on the constant theoretical improvement associated with an approximation with “experts” in the area, provide experience, safety and quality of obstetric care, as well as autonomous action, in this care-related setting.