This study analyzes the social representations of mothers with newborns on the received teachings, during the pregnant-birth cycle, concerning self care and of care with her newborn. It was carried out at a public hospital of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, and in the homes of seven mothers with newborns. The care was represented with dissatisfaction by the mothers of newborns, who associated it to the orientations received during the gestation for care in the hospital; representing it as a place of abandonment that needs a larger emphasis on the orientations and in the attention given to the woman. On the other hand, the educational practice made possible by the house calls given the mothers of newborns was highlighted by these women as an important function of support. They suggested an integration of this practice in the health care institutions for a more effective support structure. We considered that the mothers of newborns present a deficiency of information on self care and that of her newborn. An adequate support net is necessary in order to make her capable of a satisfactory initial maternity experience.
Empathy; Education; Puerperium
