Acesso ao parto domiciliar planejado pelo SUS em Belo Horizonte: experiências das mulheres

Abstract

Introduction: Planned Home Birth (PBD) is characterized by obstetric practices based on the best scientific evidence, offering less interventionist care. This approach encourages freedom of position during labor and delivery, strengthens the bond between mother, family, and newborn, and promotes women's autonomy and several other benefits. Objective: To analyze women's access to PBD offered by a team affiliated with the Unified Health System (SUS). Methodology: This is a qualitative study, with data collected through snowball sampling. The study participants were 14 women who had planned home births assisted by a team from a SUS hospital in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, from December 2013 to February 2024. The data were subjected to Bardin Content Analysis. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. Results: Four main thematic categories were identified: 1- Motivation for choosing PDP, 2- PDP experience, 3- PDP recommendation based on experience, and 4- Access to PDP through the SUS (Unified Health System). Women who had access to planned home birth offered by a public and philanthropic hospital in Belo Horizonte were mostly white, highly educated, with middle to high income, married, multiparous, and between 23 and 40 years of age. Discussion: Data analysis shows that women who choose home birth seek respectful, individualized care based on best practices, and access to the SUS team was relatively easy despite risk stratification. Final considerations: In Brazil, planned home birth for women at low obstetric risk should guarantee access through the SUS (Unified Health System) as a way to ensure rights, choices, good practices in childbirth care, and provide positive experiences for women, babies, and families. To this end, it is important to promote debates and political actions that strengthen this practice.