SKIN-TO-SKIN CONTACT AND BREASTFEEDING AT CHILDBIRTH: WOMEN’S DESIRES, EXPECTATIONS, AND EXPERIENCES

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze women’s desires, expectations and experiences regarding skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding in the first hour of life of their newborns. Methods: Qualitative research carried out in a teaching hospital in the Northeast Region of Brazil. The patients were followed longitudinally during prenatal care, at birth and during the puerperium. The participants were pregnant women during normal risk prenatal care, aged over 18 years old. Structured and semi-structured interviews were carried out in the prenatal period, participant observation at the time of delivery and new interviews in the puerperium. Content analysis was applied in the thematic modality. Results: 18 women between 21 and 38 years old were enrolled in the research. Women expressed the desire for skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding as immediate practices right after delivery and birth. However, many women did not believe it was possible, and the performance of routine procedures was considered the main obstacle. These expectations that skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding would not be carried out were confirmed in the experiences immediately after birth. Conclusions: The expectations and experiences brought by these women suggest a flaw that starts in prenatal care and implies difficulties in implementing the studied practices. Thus, the empowerment and participation of women can become an important tool in the humanization of birth. RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar os desejos, as expectativas e as experiências de mulheres no que diz respeito ao contato pele a pele e à amamentação na primeira hora de vida. Métodos: Pesquisa qualitativa realizada em um hospital de ensino de uma capital da Região Nordeste. As mulheres foram acompanhadas longitudinalmente, durante o pré-natal, o parto e o puerpério. As participantes eram gestantes em pré-natal de risco habitual, com idade maior de 18 anos. Foram realizadas entrevistas estruturadas e semiestruturadas no pré-natal, observação participante no momento do parto e novas entrevistas no puerpério. Fez-se a análise de conteúdo na modalidade temática. Resultados: Participaram da pesquisa 18 mulheres, entre 21 e 38 anos. Elas expressaram o desejo do contato pele a pele e da amamentação como práticas imediatas após o parto e o nascimento, contudo muitas não acreditavam que fosse possível, sendo o principal entrave a realização de procedimentos de rotina. As expectativas de impossibilidade do contato pele a pele e amamentação p