Nursing Practice in the Prevention and Identification of Obstetric Violence in Primary Health Care

Abstract

Childbirth care has historically been marked by interventionist practices that often disregard the autonomy and centrality of women, favoring the occurrence of obstetric violence. The general objective of this study was to analyze the initiatives adopted by Nursing in promoting safe, humanized, and effective practices aimed at preventing and confronting obstetric violence during the pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum process. This is a literature review based on books and scientific articles published between 2015 and 2025, selected from national and international databases, based on previously defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results show that obstetric violence is associated with dehumanized practices, unnecessary interventions, lack of informed consent, and asymmetrical power relations between professionals and pregnant women. In this context, Nursing stands out as a fundamental element in transforming the care model, by promoting welcoming, qualified listening, emotional support, and respect for women's choices. It was observed that evidence-based practice contributes to the reduction of excessive medicalization and to better maternal and neonatal outcomes. Furthermore, ensuring informed consent strengthens female empowerment and improves the quality of care. Continuous training of teams proved essential to deconstruct inadequate practices and incorporate ethical and humanized principles into care. Finally, it was found that nursing practice, integrated with institutional and educational actions, significantly contributes to the prevention of obstetric violence and to the promotion of safe, dignified childbirth centered on the mother-baby dyad.