Women’s perception of labor and birth care: obstacles to humanization

ABSTRACT Objectives: to understand women’s perception regarding the care received during labor and birth. Methods: this is a descriptive-exploratory, qualitative study carried out with 54 postpartum women from hospitals in the Metropolitan Region II of the state of Rio de Janeiro, from January to December 2018, using semi-structured interviews submitted to content analysis. Results: puerperal women’s perceptions about the childbirth care they received indicated the use of interventions, such as pressure maneuvers on the uterine fundus during the expulsion period - Kristeller maneuver, episiotomy and repeated vaginal examination and without consent. The use of institutional routines, such as zero diet, horizontal birth and disrespect. Final Considerations: despite the encouragement of public humanization policies, the technocratic model is still present in obstetric care during childbirth. The humanization of obstetric care requires changes in attitudes and care paradigms, in order to guarantee respect and the right to quality care.