Good practices in home births: perspectives of women who experimented birth at home

Abstract

A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study to identify good practices of home births from the perspective of women who gave birth at home. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews, conducted in 2014, audio recorded and immediately transcribed. Fourteen women who experienced planned and assisted home birth, in Campinas-SP and region, composed the sample. Their lines were analyzed by the Bardin method for content analysis. The results originated four emerging categories: favorable environmental structure; freedom of choices; assistance and emotional support; and commitment of the health team. Such findings suggest that professionals who assist the parturient in the home assistance model as well as in the hospital, value these aspects trying to improve the quality of assistance. Gaps related to women’s satisfaction, positive aspects of the experience, difficulties experienced, obstetric and neonatal outcomes, indicate possibilities for new studies.