Contribution of residence in obstetric nursing to care in Brazil: a literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Obstetric nurses, trained from the residency modality, tend to contribute in a unique way on the obstetric scenario, having competence to act in the fields of sexual, reproductive, maternal and neonatal health, with an emphasis on childbirth and birth, contributing to quality and satisfactory obstetric care to its clientele, reducing damage, complications and unnecessary interventions. Objective: To identify in the literature what changes have occurred in the national obstetric panorama since the implementation of the National Residency Program in Obstetric Nursing in Brazil.
Method: This is an integrative literature review, where the Lilacs, Scielo and BDENF databases were consulted, accessed via the Virtual Health Library (VHL). The controlled descriptors, used in the search strategy, were selected in the DeCs (Health Sciences Descriptors), being "Non-medical internship", "Obstetric nursing", "Nursing education" and "Labor". The chosen time period was from 2013, when the obstetric nursing residency was created, until 2018. Results: Obstetric nurses have been using non-pharmacological methods for pain relief during labor. In most of the results, the insertion of the companion (60%) was found, as was evidenced in most of the results, low-severity perineal trauma and selective episiotomy (80%). Good vitality at birth (Apgar score greater than 7 in the first minute of life) was identified in most studies (60%). It is reported about the upright position of the parturient at the time of delivery in 60% of the studies. Timely clamping of the umbilical cord and skin-to-skin contact were mentioned in only 40% of the studies, while breastfeeding in the first hour of life in only 20% of the studies. Conclusion: The majority of care practices performed by obstetric nursing residents or by nurses graduating from the residency modality are in accordance with the WHO technical recommendations for normal childbirth, however, advances in care are still needed, as practices have been found inadequate obstetric care.