This study was performed using a historical-social approach and aimed at discussing how the Brazilian nurse midwives trained in the Japanese birthing centers helped implement Casa de Parto in Rio de Janeiro-RJ in 2003. The primary sources of information were written and oral documentation found in collections and semi-structured interviews. The analysis happened in three steps: organization, classification and data triangulation. In order to support the analysis, concepts of habitus, field, symbolic capital and power were adopted. Results showed that the training of nurses at the Japanese birthing centers by taking a course on birth assistance was a government strategy to reconfigure the obstetrics field, which updated the habitus of these nurse midwives. Both Rio de Janeiro nurses appointed by the City to take the training course acquired better positions, which contributed to the foundation of the Casa de Parto birthing center in Rio de Janeiro.
History of nursing; Humanizing delivery; Women's health; Obstetrical nursing; Education, nursing