Practices which are harmful to delivery: report of health workers from the south of Brazil

Resumen

This study aims to identify the use of practices characterized as harmful in normal childbirth in a university hospital in southern Brazil, according to local workers´ reports. This exploratory-descriptive research was developed through interviews with 23 workers between July 2008 and October 2009. A descriptive analysis was made of the data correlation, established with World Health Organi­zation and Ministry of Health recommendations. It was made evident that most workers applied practices considered detrimental to parturition, such as: episiotomy, shaving and use of oxytocin. The only practice in disuse in the unit under studied was the entero­clysis. In order to change this reality, there must be investment in training courses and successful experiences of natural childbirth.