Analysis of indicators of good delivery and birth care practices in a maternity hospital: an observational study

Abstract

Introduction: The use of good delivery and birth care practices has been an alternative to better care for the mother-baby binomial. Objective: The study aimed to analyze the occurrence of good practices of delivery and birth in a maternity hospital located in the Northeast of Brazil. Methodology: This is a quantitative, retrospective and documentary study, carried out in a maternity hospital in Northeastern Brazil. The sample consisted of 1,442 parturient women at usual risk, monitored from January 2020 to December 2021. Results: In the investigated population, most of these parturients 71.4% underwent the cesarean section procedure. When the association between mode of delivery and the use of good delivery and birth practices was evaluated, it was found that women who had normal delivery were 3.95 more likely to have skin-to-skin contact with their children (95% CI =2.21-7.08). In addition, they were 13.2 more likely to use non-pharmacological methods for pain relief during labor (95% CI =8.21 - 21.3), and 1.7 more likely to have a companion (95% CI = 1.15 - 2.73) when compared to women who underwent a cesarean section. Regarding neonatal care, the results showed that normal delivery provided 1.6 more chances of timely clamping (95% CI =1.24-2.21). Conclusion: Women whose deliveries were normal were more likely to experience good practices of delivery and birth, recommended by the World Health Organization, such as the use of non-pharmacological methods, having the presence of a companion, as well as experiencing skin-to-skin contact, in addition to late or timely clamping of the newborn’s umbilical cord.