This is a qualitative and descriptive study whose aim is to identify in what way pregnant women users of the Brazilian public health service perceived of the care provided by the prenatal health care team, examining the conditions, care, and assistance received. We conducted interviews in September of 2009 with 11 mothers in a maternity hospital in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. The data was analyzed and discussed in light of the Brazilian Ministry of Health's recommendations for pre-natal care then structured into five categories: adherence to prenatal care; access, reception, and humanization; monitoring the health professional in prenatal; the visibility of nurses in prenatal care; and finalizing prenatal maternity. We conclude that despite the Humanization Program in Prenatal and Delivery and the effort of the research institution to adequate health policies into their daily lives, there are still gaps with respect to humane and holistic care for pregnant and puerperal women
Prenatal care; Women's health; Postpartum period; Patient care team; Nursing care