Ciência , Natureza e normatização institucional do parto.

Abstract

This work aims to understand the symbols associated to technologies adopted in obstetric practice, and also women practices in searching for medical cares during childbirth. This study was carried out from June 2011 to October 2011 in 16 pregnant women attending the private hospitals and 13 pregnants attending public sector. I combined two qualitative techniques: Ethnographic observation and Semi-structured interview. I identified some ethnographic findings, such as: 1- most of women request for vaginal birth. 2. birth experience, regardless of delivery type desire, is associated with three categories: fear, tension and risk of death. 3-medical discourse, according to pregnant women attending private hospitals, reinforces women s and their families fear of pain and the risks of vaginal births. Cesarean birth, on the other hand, is described as a safe childbirth. 4- at the public maternity, I observed that women and their partners have experienced a painful and passive vaginal birth. 5- professional practices of humanized birth and medical intervention based on technologies in birth assistance, co-exist in public hospitals. However, normative approach is still on both practices. 6- the women s participation on childbirth decision is rare at the public health institution examined. In sum, our data suggest that both women and obstetricians share perception of the risks inherit in natural process of birth. Cesarean section, on the other hand, is being considered a fitting and safe form of childbirth.