This study aimed to identify health professionals and competencies in care delivery to parturient women when admitted at the maternity and during the evolution of labor; and discuss nursing team competencies in care delivery to parturient women when admitted at the maternity and during the evolution of labor. It was carried out in the two maternities of Rio Branco, Brazil. Data were collected in July 2005, through systematic observations of essential competences in obstetrics developed by the health professionals. Descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test were used for data analysis. Results evidenced that nursing professionals with secondary education degree and physicians act in the admission and during labor. The study reveals that institutions present distinct models regarding who is responsible to perform certain competences in care to parturient and do not prioritize professional qualification for care to woman during labor.
Obstetrical Nursing; Professional Competence; Delivery
