title: Obstetric interventions during labor and childbirth in Brazilian low-risk women.
abstract: This study evaluated the use of best practices (eating, movement, use of nonpharmacological methods for pain relief and partograph) and obstetric interventions in labor and delivery among low-risk women. Data from the hospital-based survey Birth in Brazil conducted between 2011 and 2012 was used. Best practices during labor occurred in less than 50% of women and prevalence of the use of these practices was lower in the North, Northeast and Central West Regions. The rate of use of oxytocin drips and amniotomy was 40%, and was higher among women admitted to public hospitals and in women with a low level of education. The uterine fundal pressure, episiotomy and lithotomy were used in 37%, 56% and 92% of women, respectively. Caesarean section rates were lower in women using the public health system, nonwhites, women with a low level of education and multiparous women. To improve the health of mothers and newborns and promote quality of life, a change of approach to labor and childbirth that focuses on evidence-based care is required in both the public and private health sectors.
authors.affiliation: Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Maria do
authors.initials: Md
authors.lastname: Carmo Leal
authors.affiliation: Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Ana Paula Esteves
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Rosa Maria Soares Madeira
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Domingues
authors.affiliation: Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Mariza Miranda
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Theme Filha
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Marcos Augusto Bastos
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamura-Pereira
authors.affiliation: Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Maria Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Bastos
authors.affiliation: Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Silvana Granado Nogueira da
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Gama
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016304:Hospitals, Private / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011247:Pregnancy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors