Atuação e potencialidades da enfermagem obstétrica no Brasil: um panorama das regiões do país

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the rates of normal births and cesarean sections by regions of Brazil in the years 2022 and 2023, as well as to present the percentage of normal births attended by Nurses/Midwives and other professionals and discuss the potential of Obstetric Nursing in the outcome of route of delivery. Method: This is an epidemiological study of a descriptive, retrospective nature, with a quantitative approach, in which the secondary data collected were obtained through the Health Information System (TABNET) - DATASUS - Ministry of Health. All data collected were related to for the years 2022-2023, until February 2, 2024. Result: During the period researched, 3,548,515 Declarations of Live Birth (DNV) were recorded. Of these, around 41.5% are registered as vaginal births, in turn, cesarean sections correspond to 58.3% and White/Ignored 0.05%. The regions that had the most vaginal and cesarean births were, respectively, the Southeast with 15.6%; 22.8% and the Northeast with 12% and 15.2%. The North stands out for having the most balanced rates of delivery route, with 5.4% of normal births and 5.7% of births via discharge. The South has rates of 5.3% of natural procedures and 8.8% of surgical procedures; and finally, the Central-West presents 3.1% and 5.6%, respectively. Conclusion: This article shows that within the sample, all regions of the country had high rates of cesarean sections. Furthermore, most vaginal births are still monitored by the medical profession; which makes us reflect on the process of implementing public policies to encourage normal birth and training in Obstetric Nursing.