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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Planned Birth in Brazilian Birth Centres: Preliminary findings
1
University of São Paulo, School of Nursing, São Paulo, Brazil
2
Federal University of São Carlos, Nursing, São Carlos, Brazil
3
Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, School of Medicine, Uberaba, Brazil
4
FAM, Nursing, São Paulo, Brazil
5
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, School of Public Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
6
City St George's- University of London, Centre for Maternal & Child Health Research, London, United Kingdom
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A231
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In Brazil, childbirth is hospital-based and obstetric-led, with high rates of interventions and cesarean sections. This model has been widely criticized by the population, health practitioners and international organizations advocating for more biopsychosocial and evidence-based practices. Brazilian Freestanding Birth Centres (FBC) were implemented as a strategy to restructure care for people with straightforward pregnancy, with the goal of reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.
OBJECTIVES:
To analyse the care outcomes of Brazilian Freestanding Birth Centres according to Brazilian health policy regulation.
METHODS:
A national cross sectional research conducted with birthing people from all eight Brazilian Freestansing Birth Centres. Clinical and obstetrical data were collected from face to face and phone interviews, institutional records and antenatal cards.The study was approved by a Brazilian Research Ethics Committee, all institutions involved and all participants read and signed a Free and Informed Consent Form.
RESULTS:
Most of the 1,407 participants were mixed race (52.6%) and unemployed (55.6%). Nearly all gave birth at term (99.5%), had adequate antenatal care (94.5%) and no complications during pregnancy. Most had normal births (91.9%) attended by midwives (88.8.9%). Water births represented 12.3% of all births. Episiotomy (2.1%), amniotomy (14.5%), and oxytocin (12.7%) use were limited. Rate of severe perineal tears was 2.1%. Most newborns had immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth (93.3%). Intrapartum transfers were mostly due to low labour progression (4.5%), abnormal fetal heart rate (4.1%) or requests for pain relief (4.2%). Postnatal (1.5%) and neonatal (2.9%) transfers were related to retained placenta, high blood pressure, or mild newborn conditions.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results show that the Centres provide safe care to mothers/parents and newborns. The care provided is supported by the World Health Organization and the Brazilian Ministry of Health.
KEY MESSAGE:
Brazilian Freestanding Birth Centres provide good, respectful, human-centered and safe care to mothers/parents and newborns with optimal outcomes. Midwife-led centre 1
In Brazil, childbirth is hospital-based and obstetric-led, with high rates of interventions and cesarean sections. This model has been widely criticized by the population, health practitioners and international organizations advocating for more biopsychosocial and evidence-based practices. Brazilian Freestanding Birth Centres (FBC) were implemented as a strategy to restructure care for people with straightforward pregnancy, with the goal of reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.
OBJECTIVES:
To analyse the care outcomes of Brazilian Freestanding Birth Centres according to Brazilian health policy regulation.
METHODS:
A national cross sectional research conducted with birthing people from all eight Brazilian Freestansing Birth Centres. Clinical and obstetrical data were collected from face to face and phone interviews, institutional records and antenatal cards.The study was approved by a Brazilian Research Ethics Committee, all institutions involved and all participants read and signed a Free and Informed Consent Form.
RESULTS:
Most of the 1,407 participants were mixed race (52.6%) and unemployed (55.6%). Nearly all gave birth at term (99.5%), had adequate antenatal care (94.5%) and no complications during pregnancy. Most had normal births (91.9%) attended by midwives (88.8.9%). Water births represented 12.3% of all births. Episiotomy (2.1%), amniotomy (14.5%), and oxytocin (12.7%) use were limited. Rate of severe perineal tears was 2.1%. Most newborns had immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth (93.3%). Intrapartum transfers were mostly due to low labour progression (4.5%), abnormal fetal heart rate (4.1%) or requests for pain relief (4.2%). Postnatal (1.5%) and neonatal (2.9%) transfers were related to retained placenta, high blood pressure, or mild newborn conditions.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results show that the Centres provide safe care to mothers/parents and newborns. The care provided is supported by the World Health Organization and the Brazilian Ministry of Health.
KEY MESSAGE:
Brazilian Freestanding Birth Centres provide good, respectful, human-centered and safe care to mothers/parents and newborns with optimal outcomes. Midwife-led centre 1
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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