ABSTRACT

Objective:

To understand obstetric nurses’ challenges in managing work and care in normal birth centers.

Method:

A qualitative study was carried out in normal birth centers in Ceará, Brazil. Thirteen nurses and obstetric care coordinators were interviewed between April and July 2020. The thematic categories were organized in Nvivo 12 Pro® software and discussed using the theoretical-philosophical framework of the Sociology of Professions.

Results:

care practices, such as comfort massages, are carried out in conjunction with elements of work management, such as the sizing of the nursing team. It emerged that there are important skills for acting as autonomy and leadership of the nursing team, but elements such as fragile trust and interaction limit the full development of activities.

Final considerations:

there are challenges for management and care in normal birth centers, such as consolidating autonomy and building trust with the health team.

KEYWORDS:
Health Management; Birthing Centers; Nurse Midwives; Natural Childbirth

HIGHLIGHTS

Autonomy and confidence are the skills required to consolidate leadership.

Humanizing practices promote women’s satisfaction and empowerment.

Cooperation is needed to achieve favorable results.