This article is a narrative review with the aim of identifying the Brazilian scientific production related to the care process and maternal and perinatal outcomes in birth centres (BC). The papers were recovered in the databases and portals PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHAL, SciELO and REVENF. There were also included one book and the non published studies from a researcher group. There were selected eight descriptive, two cross-sectional and two case-control studies conducted with 5,407 women and 5,395 newborns, which were reported in the period from 2005 to 2009. These studies analyzed socio-demographic and obstetric outcomes in childbirth and maternal and neonatal transfers to the hospital setting. BC scientific production presents data about seven services, from the last decade. There are mainly descriptive studies, with focus on obstetric practices and maternal outcomes, with less emphasis on neonatal care.
Nurse midwives; Birthing Centers; Natural childbirth; Perinatal care
