The process of constructing midwifery nursing: a narrative review

Abstract

Objective: To elucidate the process of construction of formalized knowledge of the obstetric nursing. Bibliographic review: The empirical knowledge related to pregnancy and childbirth process was attributed to the care of midwives, who were responsible for the prepartum care, immediate care to the newborn and to the female body in the postpartum period, in this scenario the parturition was considered physiological and natural. This space has been transformed under the influence of the biomedical model, changing the childbirth scenario to one where there are hospitalizations, interventions, and medicalization of childbirth, and such procedures are associated with tragic outcomes. Because of that, there is a growing specialization of nurses in obstetrics, working on the creation of technologies and care tools, aiming at health promotion and the dissemination of good practices in the childbirth care. Final considerations: The historical importance of professionals who, over time, have specialized and formalized their knowledge is observed, and today they are protagonists in the promotion of good practices for the childbirth care and for women's health.