The birth moment in our culture is an event marked by its historical-political and social context in the field of health and consequently for nursing. The objective of the present study is to reflect upon the historical record of the conquests that have occurred in this field, in terms of public and social policies in Brazil, and to discuss them in light of the perspective of care, in order to proceed with a re-evaluation of obstetrics and neonatal care in this country. Among the many possibilities for approaching this theme, we opted to point out some historical and social determinants. The care models used by nursing today are centered on the humanization of care with the perspective for integration, using technologies, valuing beliefs and values, and developing care actions for the woman and for the newborn.
Nursing; Comprehensive health care; Humanizing delivery