This descriptive study aimed to identify the childbirth care practices developed by health professionals towards adolescent parturients. Data were collected from the database of the study "Humanizing childbirth care in adolescents", developed in the city of Pelotas-RS, by means of semi-structured interviews, between 2008 and 2009. The study population consisted of health workers from the obstetric center of a public teaching hospital. The analysis was systematized as per the guide Care in Normal Birth, published by the World Health Organization. Results evidenced that useful practices, such as intimacy and privacy, choice of the type of childbirth and breastfeeding encouragement are not respected. The harmful practices that stood out were the use of the lithotomy position and oxytocin. Examples of practices that are frequently developed inappropriately are food restriction and the use of amniotomy. In conclusion, childbirth care practices partially complied with the Humanizing Labor and Childbirth Policy.
Adolescent; Women's health; Humanizing delivery; Nursing
