OBSTETRIC INTERVENTIONS AND THEIR IMPACTS ON QUALITY OF CARE, MATERNAL AND NEONATAL HEALTH, AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/levv16n54-098Keywords:
Childbirth Assistance, Episiotomy, Humanization of Childbirth, Obstetric Interventions, Humanized ChildbirthAbstract
This study aimed to analyze obstetric interventions and their impacts on the quality of care, maternal and neonatal health, and repercussions for child development. It is an integrative literature review conducted using the PubMed, SciELO, Virtual Health Library (VHL), and Google Scholar databases, as well as official documents from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health, covering the period from 2017 to 2025. Original articles, integrative and systematic reviews, observational and cross-sectional studies, and technical documents addressing obstetric practices and their consequences were included. The analysis of the studies showed that procedures such as episiotomy, the routine use of oxytocin, and elective cesarean sections are still widely used, even without clinical support, increasing the risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. It was found that the use of digital technologies, mindfulness programs, and standardized care protocols (“maternal care bundles”) contribute to reducing unnecessary interventions and promoting female autonomy. Furthermore, an association was found between cesarean sections and negative long-term childhood outcomes, such as obesity and respiratory diseases. National and international guidelines reinforce the importance of humanized care and multidisciplinary action as pillars for safe and respectful care. It is concluded that reducing unnecessary obstetric interventions requires structural, ethical, and educational changes, with humanized childbirth, based on scientific evidence and centered on the woman, being the most effective strategy to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of the mother-child dyad.
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References
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