Characteristics of women who underwent one or more previous cesarean sections according to Nascer no Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To descriptively analyze Brazilian parturient women who underwent previous cesarean section and point out the factors associated with Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) in Brazil. METHODS: The study used data from women with one, two, or three or more cesarean sections from the survey Nascer no Brasil (Birth in Brazil). Differences between categories were assessed through the chi-square test (χ2). Variables with significant differences (p < 0.05) were incorporated into logistic regression. FINDINGS: Out of the total of 23,894 women, 20.9% had undergone a previous cesarean section. The majority (85.1%) underwent another cesarean section, with 75.5% occurring before the onset of labor. The rate of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) was 14.9%, with a success rate of 60.8%. Women who underwent three or more cesarean sections displayed greater social vulnerability. The chances of VBAC were higher among those who opted for a vaginal birth towards the end of gestation, had a prior vaginal birth, underwent labor induction, were admitted with over 4 centimeters of dilation, and without partner. Receiving care from the private health care system, having two or more prior cesarean sections, obstetric complications, and deciding on cesarean delivery late in gestation reduced the chances of VBAC. Age group, educational background, prenatal care adequacy, and the reason for the previous cesarean section did not result in significant differences. CONCLUSION: The majority of women who underwent a previous cesarean section in Brazil are directed towards another surgery, and a higher number of cesarean sections is linked to greater social inequality. Factors associated with VBAC included choosing vaginal birth towards the end of gestation, having had a previous vaginal birth, higher cervical dilation upon admission, induction, assistance from the public health care system, absence of obstetric complications, and without a partner. Efforts to promote VBAC are necessary to reduce overall cesarean rates and their repercussions on maternal and child health.

Characteristics of women who underwent one or more previous cesarean sections according to Nascer no Brasil / Características de mulheres com uma ou mais cesáreas anteriores no nascer no Brasil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To descriptively analyze Brazilian parturient women who underwent previous cesarean section and point out the factors associated with Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) in Brazil. METHODS The study used data from women with one, two, or three or more cesarean sections from the survey Nascer no Brasil (Birth in Brazil). Differences between categories were assessed through the chi-square test (χ2). Variables with significant differences (p < 0.05) were incorporated into logistic regression. FINDINGS Out of the total of 23,894 women, 20.9% had undergone a previous cesarean section. The majority (85.1%) underwent another cesarean section, with 75.5% occurring before the onset of labor. The rate of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) was 14.9%, with a success rate of 60.8%. Women who underwent three or more cesarean sections displayed greater social vulnerability. The chances of VBAC were higher among those who opted for a vaginal birth towards the end of gestation, had a prior vaginal birth, underwent labor induction, were admitted with over 4 centimeters of dilation, and without partner. Receiving care from the private health care system, having two or more prior cesarean sections, obstetric complications, and deciding on cesarean delivery late in gestation reduced the chances of VBAC. Age group, educational background, prenatal care adequacy, and the reason for the previous cesarean section did not result in significant differences. CONCLUSION The majority of women who underwent a previous cesarean section in Brazil are directed towards another surgery, and a higher number of cesarean sections is linked to greater social inequality. Factors associated with VBAC included choosing vaginal birth towards the end of gestation, having had a previous vaginal birth, higher cervical dilation upon admission, induction, assistance from the public health care system, absence of obstetric complications, and without a partner. Efforts to promote VBAC are necessary to reduce overall cesarean rates and their repercussions on maternal and child health.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Analisar descritivamente as parturientes brasileiras com cesariana anterior e apontar os fatores associados ao parto vaginal após cesárea (Vaginal Birht After Cesarean- VBAC) no Brasil. MÉTODOS Foram utilizados dados de mulheres com uma, duas ou três e mais cesáreas da pesquisa Nascer no Brasil. As diferenças entre categorias foram avaliadas pelo teste de qui-quadrado (χ2). As variáveis que apresentaram diferença significativa (< 0,05) foram incluídas em regressão logística. RESULTADOS Do total de 23.894 mulheres, 20,9% tinham cesárea anterior. A maior parte (85,1%) foi submetida a outra cesárea, 75,5% antes do início do trabalho de parto. A porcentagem de VBAC foi de 14,9%, uma taxa de sucesso de 60,8%. Mulheres com três cesáreas ou mais apresentaram maior vulnerabilidade social. As chances de VBAC foram maiores entre aquelas decididas pelo parto vaginal no fim da gestação, com parto vaginal anterior, indução de parto, admitidas com mais de 4 centímetros de dilatação e sem companheiro. Assistência no sistema privado, ter duas cesáreas ou mais, complicações obstétricas e decisão por cesariana no final da gestação diminuíram as chances de VBAC. Faixa etária, escolaridade, adequação do pré-natal e razão da cesárea anterior não apresentaram diferença significativa. CONCLUSÃO A maior parte das mulheres com cesárea anterior no Brasil é encaminhada para uma nova cirurgia, e o maior número de cesáreas está associado à maior iniquidade social. Os fatores associados ao VBAC foram decisão pelo parto vaginal no fim da gestação, parto vaginal anterior, maior dilatação cervical na internação, indução, atendimento no sistema público de saúde, ausência de complicações obstétricas e ausência de companheiro. São necessárias ações de estímulo ao VBAC, visando reduzir taxas globais de cesarianas e suas consequências para a saúde materno-infantil.

Episiotomy healing assessment: Redness, Oedema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation (REEDA) scale reliability.

OBJECTIVE: to analyse the Redness, Oedema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation (REEDA) scale reliability when evaluating perineal healing after a normal delivery with a right mediolateral episiotomy. METHOD: observational study based on data from a clinical trial conducted with 54 randomly selected women, who had their perineal healing assessed at four time points, from 6 hours to 10 days after delivery, by nurses trained in the use of this scale. The kappa coefficient was used in the reliability analysis of the REEDA scale. RESULTS: the results indicate good agreement in the evaluation of the discharge item (0.75< Kappa ≥0.88), marginal and good agreement in the first three assessments of oedema (0.16< Kappa ≥0.46), marginal agreement in the evaluation of ecchymosis (0.25< Kappa ≥0.42) and good agreement regarding redness (0.46< Kappa ≥0.66). For the item coaptation, the agreement decreased from excellent in the first assessment to good in the last assessment. In the fourth evaluation, the assessment of all items displayed excellent or good agreement among the evaluators. CONCLUSION: the difference in the scores among the evaluators when applying the scale indicates that this tool must be improved to allow an accurate assessment of the episiotomy healing process.

Episiotomy healing assessment: Redness, Oedema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation (REEDA) scale reliability / Avaliação da cicatrização da episiotomia: confiabilidade da escala REEDA (Redness, Oedema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation) / Evaluación de la curación de episiotomía: confiabilidad de la escala de Enrojecimiento, Edema, Equimosis, Drenaje, Aproximación (REEDA)

OBJECTIVE: to analyse the Redness, Oedema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation (REEDA) scale reliability when evaluating perineal healing after a normal delivery with a right mediolateral episiotomy. METHOD: observational study based on data from a clinical trial conducted with 54 randomly selected women, who had their perineal healing assessed at four time points, from 6 hours to 10 days after delivery, by nurses trained in the use of this scale. The kappa coefficient was used in the reliability analysis of the REEDA scale. RESULTS: the results indicate good agreement in the evaluation of the discharge item (0.75< Kappa ≥0.88), marginal and good agreement in the first three assessments of oedema (0.16< Kappa ≥0.46), marginal agreement in the evaluation of ecchymosis (0.25< Kappa ≥0.42) and good agreement regarding redness (0.46< Kappa ≥0.66). For the item coaptation, the agreement decreased from excellent in the first assessment to good in the last assessment. In the fourth evaluation, the assessment of all items displayed excellent or good agreement among the evaluators. CONCLUSION: the difference in the scores among the evaluators when applying the scale indicates that this tool must be improved to allow an accurate assessment of the episiotomy healing process. .

OBJETIVO: analisar a confiabilidade da escala REEDA (Redness, Oedema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation) para avaliar a cicatrização do períneo após parto vaginal com episiotomia médio-lateral direita. MÉTODO: estudo observacional, baseado em dados coletados em ensaio clínico, conduzido com 54 mulheres, selecionadas aleatoriamente. As mesmas tiveram o processo de cicatrização perineal avaliado em quatro momentos (de 6 horas a 10 dias após o parto), por enfermeiras treinadas para o uso da escala. O coeficiente kappa foi usado para análise de confiabilidade da escala REEDA. RESULTADOS: os resultados indicam bom nível de concordância na avaliação do item secreção (0,75< Kappa ≥0,88), concordância boa e marginal em relação ao item equimose (0,25< Kappa ≥0,42), e bom nível de concordância em relação à hiperemia (0,46< Kappa ≥0,66). O nível de concordância referente à avaliação do item coaptação diminuiu de excelente, na primeira avaliação, para bom, na última avaliação. CONCLUSÃO: a diferença entre as pontuações atribuídas pelas avaliadoras na aplicação da escala indica que o instrumento precisa ser melhorado, para permitir avaliações mais precisas do processo de cicatrização da episiotomia. .

OBJETIVO: analizar la confiabilidad de la escala de Enrojecimiento, Edema, Equimosis, Drenaje, Aproximación (REEDA) en la evaluación de la curación perineal tras parto normal con episiotomía mediolateral derecha. MÉTODO: estudio observacional con base en datos de un ensayo clínico conducido con 54 mujeres elegidas de forma aleatoria, con evaluación de su curación perineal en cuatro momentos, entre 6 horas y 10 días después del parto, por enfermeras capacitadas en el uso de esta escala. El coeficiente de kappa fue utilizado en el análisis de confiabilidad de la escala REEDA. RESULTADOS: los resultados indican buena concordancia en la evaluación del ítem drenaje (0,75< Kappa ≥0,88), concordancia marginal y buena en las primeras tres evaluaciones de edema (0,16< Kappa ≥0,46), concordancia marginal en la evaluación de equimosis (0,25< Kappa ≥0,42) y buena concordancia sobre enrojecimiento (0,46< Kappa ≥0,66). Para el ítem coaptación, la concordancia disminuyó de excelente en la primera evaluación hasta buena en la última. En el cuarto momento, la evaluación de todos los ítems mostró concordancia excelente o buena entre los evaluadores. CONCLUSIÓN: la diferencia en las notas entre los evaluadores en la aplicación de la escala indica que esta herramienta debe ser mejorada para permitir una evaluación correcta del proceso de curación de la episiotomía. .

A randomised clinical trial of the effect of low-level laser therapy for perineal pain and healing after episiotomy: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy for perineal pain and healing after episiotomy. DESIGN: a double-blind, randomised, controlled clinical trial comparing perineal pain scores and episiotomy healing in women treated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and with the simulation of the treatment. SETTING: the study was conducted in the Birth Centre and rooming-in units of Amparo Maternal, a maternity service located in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: fifty-two postpartum women who had had mediolateral episiotomies during their first normal delivery were randomly divided into two groups of 26: an experimental group and a control group. INTERVENTION: in the experimental group, the women were treated with LLLT. Irradiation was applied at three points directly on the episiotomy after the suture and in three postpartum sessions: up to 2 hrs postpartum, between 20 and 24 hrs postpartum and between 40 and 48 hrs postpartum. The LLLT was performed with diode laser, with a wavelength of 660 nm (red light), spot size of 0.04 cm(2), energy density of 3.8 J/cm(2), radiant power of 15 mW and 10s per point, which resulted in an energy of 0.15 J per point and a total energy of 0.45 J per session. The control group participants also underwent three treatment sessions, but without the emission of radiation (simulation group), to assess the possible effects of placebo treatment. MAIN OUTCOMES: perineal pain scores, rated on a scale from 0 to 10, were evaluated before and immediately after the irradiation in the three sessions. The healing process was assessed using the REEDA scale (Redness, Edema, Echymosis, Discharge Aproximation) before each laser therapy session and 15 and 20 days after the women's discharge. FINDINGS: comparing the pain scores before and after the LLLT sessions, the experimental group presented a significant within-group reduction in mean pain scores after the second and third sessions (p=0.003 and p<0.001, respectively), and the control group showed a significant reduction after the first treatment simulation (p=0.043). However, the comparison of the perineal pain scores between the experimental and control groups indicated no statistical difference at any of the evaluated time points. There was no significant difference in perineal healing scores between the groups. All postpartum women approved of the low-level laser therapy. CONCLUSIONS: this pilot study showed that LLLT did not accelerate episiotomy healing. Although there was a reduction in perineal pain mean scores in the experimental group, we cannot conclude that the laser relieved perineal pain. This study led to the suggestion of a new research proposal involving another irradiation protocol to evaluate LLLT's effect on perineal pain relief.

Uso do laser infravermelho em episiotomia: ensaio clínico aleatorizado / Use of infrared laser in episiotomy: a randomized controlled trial

Introdução: A episiotomia é uma ampliação cirúrgica do períneo amplamente utilizada na assistência ao parto, embora seu emprego rotineiro não seja justificado pelas evidências científicas. Está associada à dor e ao desconforto no período pós-parto. O Laser em Baixa Intensidade (LBI) vem se destacando na literatura como uma tecnologia promissora em relação ao tratamento de feridas. Apresenta efeitos de redução da dor, inflamação e estímulo à cicatrização. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos do laser em baixa intensidade na cicatrização da região perineal, na frequência e magnitude da dor perineal, após a episiotomia médio-lateral direita. Método: Ensaio clínico aleatorizado, paralelo e triplo cego, com uma amostra de 54 puérperas, divididas em grupo experimental (recebeu irradiação de laser) e controle (recebeu simulação de irradiação). As puérperas foram incluídas no estudo entre 6 e 10 horas após o parto no Alojamento Conjunto do Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo. Os critérios de inclusão foram: idade 18 anos, idade gestacional 37 e <42 semanas; sem parto vaginal anterior; parto espontâneo de feto único, vivo e em apresentação cefálica, com episiotomia médio-lateral direita; ausência de processo infeccioso, hemorroidas, hematomas ou varizes na região vulvoperineal; não ter realizado preparo da região perineal na gravidez; não ter feito uso de drogas fotossensibilizantes e sem intercorrências clínicas ou obstétricas. Foram excluídas do estudo mulheres que utilizaram qualquer produto diferente de água e sabão na região vulvoperineal. A intervenção com o laser consistiu em três irradiações (primeira: de 6 a 10 horas após o parto, segunda: 20 a 24 horas e terceira: 40 a 48 horas após a primeira aplicação), com laser diodo infravermelho, meio ativo semicondutor Gallium-Aluminum-Arsenide(GaAIAs), tamanho do spot de 0,04 cm2, densidade de energia de 5J/cm2, potência de 20 mW, duração da irradiação de 10 segundos por ponto. Em cada sessão, a episiotomia foi irradiada em nove pontos diferentes, com 0,2J por ponto e energia total de 1,8J por sessão. Na simulação da irradiação, a ponteira que emite o laser vermelho foi modificada pelo próprio fabricante, que substituiu o laser por uma luz guia. Em ambos os grupos, a cicatrização perineal foi avaliada em quatro momentos: antes das três irradiações e 7 a 10 dias após a alta hospitalar, por meio da escala Redness Edema Echymosis Discharge Aproximation (REEDA). A avaliação da dor perineal foi feita em sete ocasiões: antes e após as três irradiações e 7 a 10 dias, após a alta hospitalar pelo questionamento de presença ou ausência de dor e pela escala numérica de 0 a 10. A coleta de dados foi realizada entre junho e outubro de 2011. Resultados: Foram randomizadas 54 mulheres (29 no grupo experimental e 25 no grupo controle). Houve perda de seguimento de 11 mulheres na última avaliação (7 a 10 dias). Os grupos foram semelhantes quanto às variáveis: idade materna em anos completos; Índice de Massa Corporal; idade gestacional; peso do recém-nascido em gramas; Apgar de 1º, 5º e 10º minutos; perímetro cefálico em centímetros; extensão da episiotomia em centímetros; número de gestações, partos e abortos; cor; escolaridade; profissão; estado marital; presença de acompanhante; número de doses analgésicas e intervalo entre a ingestão do analgésico e a avaliação.A anestesia raquidiana foi usada com maior frequência no grupo controle (p=0,043). Quanto à cicatrização, os grupos não diferiram na escala REEDA em nenhuma das avaliações. Quanto às médias de dor perineal, os grupos diferiram nas seguintes ocasiões: o experimental apresentou maiores médias de dor na avaliação antes (grupo experimental 4,5; grupo controle 2,0; p=0,002), após a primeira irradiação (grupo experimental 4,1; grupo controle 2,0; p=0,008), e após a terceira irradiação (grupo experimental 1,5; grupo controle 0,6; p=0,019). Quanto à presença de dor, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos nos distintos momentos de avaliação. Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os dois grupos entre a redução média de dor antes e após a irradiação laser, tanto em porcentagem quanto em relação a uma melhora <30% e 30%, nos três momentos em que a intervenção foi realizada. O procedimento foi considerado muito bom por 44,4% das mulheres, bom por 53,4% delas e ruim por 2,2% delas; 95,6% delas referiram o fariam novamente. Conclusão: O uso de LBI não teve efeito na cicatrização ou na frequência e na magnitude da dor perineal em mulheres com episiotomia, após o parto vaginal espontâneo.

Introduction: An episiotomy is a surgical widening of the perineum largely used in the childbirth, despite the fact that its routine use has not been justified by scientific evidence. It is associated with pain and discomfort in the postpartum period. The Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been pointed out in the literature as a promising technology for the treatment of wounds. It has the effects of reducing pain and inflammation and healing stimulation. Objective: Evaluate the effects of low intensity laser therapy in the healing of the perineal region and in the frequency and magnitude of perineal pain, after right mediolateral episiotomy. Method: Parallel, triple blind randomized clinical trial, with a sample of 54 mothers who were divided into experimental (received laser irradiation) and control group (received simulated radiation). Postpartum women were included in the study from 6 to 10 hours after birth in the Rooming-in Unit of the Hospital of the University of São Paulo.Introduction: An episiotomy is a surgical widening of the perineum largely used in the childbirth, despite the fact that its routine use has not been justified by scientific evidence. It is associated with pain and discomfort in the postpartum period. The Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been pointed out in the literature as a promising technology for the treatment of wounds. It has the effects of reducing pain and inflammation and healing stimulation. Objective: Evaluate the effects of low intensity laser therapy in the healing of the perineal region and in the frequency and magnitude of perineal pain, after right mediolateral episiotomy. Method: Parallel, triple blind randomized clinical trial, with a sample of 54 mothers who were divided into experimental (received laser irradiation) and control group (received simulated radiation). Postpartum women were included in the study from 6 to 10 hours after birth in the Rooming-in Unit of the Hospital of the University of São Paulo. Inclusion criteria were: age 18 years, gestational age 37 and <42 weeks, no previous vaginal delivery, to have a spontaneous delivery of a singleton fetus in cephalic presentation with right mediolateral episiotomy, absence of infection, hemorrhoids, bruises or varicose veins in the vulvoperineal region; no perineum preparation during pregnancy, no use of photosensitizing drugs and no clinical or obstetric complications. We excluded women who had used any product other than soap and water in the vulvoperineal region. The LLLT intervention consisted of three irradiations (first: from 6 to 10 hours after birth, second: from 20 to 24 hours after birth and third one from 40 to 48 hours after the first application), using infrared diode laser, with a semiconductor active medium Aluminum-Gallium-arsenide (GaAlAs), a size spot of 0.04 cm, 2 5J/cm2 energy density, power of 20 mW, and length of irradiation of 10 seconds per point.In each session, the episiotomy was irradiated in nine different points, with a total of 0.2 J per point and a total energy of 1.8 J per session. To simulate the irradiation, the tip that emits the red laser was modified by the manufacturer, who replaced the infrared laser by a guiding light in the same pen that emits the laser. In both groups, the perineal wound healing was assessed at four time moments: before the three irradiations and from 7 to 10 days after hospital discharge, through the scale Echymosis Discharge Aproximation Redness Edema (REEDA). The perineal pain was assessed in seven occasions: before and after the three sessions of irradiation and in one occasion from 7-10 days after birth, using numerical scale from 0 to 10 and questioning the woman on the presence or absence of pain. Data collection was carried out between June and October 2011. Results: We randomized 54 women (29 in the experimental group and 25 in the control group). Eleven women were lost in the follow-up, in the last evaluation (7-10 days). Both groups were similar with regard to the variables: maternal age in years, body mass index, gestational age, weight of the newborn in grams; Apgar score at 1, 5 and 10 minutes and head circumference in centimeters; episiotomy length in centimeters, number of pregnancies, births and miscarriages, skin color, education, profession, marital status, presence of caregiver, the number of analgesic doses and interval between the intake of analgesics and evaluation. The spinal anesthesia was more frequently used in the control group (p = 0.043). Regarding the healing, the groups did not differ in any assessments of the REEDA scale. Regarding the means of perineal pain, the groups differed on the following occasions: the experimental group had higher means of pain scores in the evaluation before(experimental group 4.5, control group 2.0, p = 0.002), and after the first irradiation (experimental group 4.1, control group 2.0, p = 0.008), and after the third irradiation (experimental group 1.5, control group 0.6, p = 0.019). Regarding the presence of pain, there was no statistically significant difference between groups in different stages of evaluation. There was no statistically significant differences between the two groups, both regarding the mean reduction of pain before and after laser irradiation in percentage and regarding an improvement <30% and 30% in the three moments when the intervention was performed. The procedure was evaluated as very good by 44.4% of women, as good by 53.4% and as bad by 2.2% of them; 95.6% of women who had the procedure reported that would have it again. Conclusion: The use of LLLT had no effect on wound healing or in the frequency and magnitude of perineal pain in women with episiotomies after spontaneous vaginal delivery, with the dosage and number of sessions used in this study.

Uso da bola suíça no trabalho de parto / Uso de la pelota suiza en el trabajo de parto / Using the Swiss ball in labor

OBJETIVOS: Caracterizar o uso da bola suíça na assistência à parturiente em serviços de atenção obstétrica vinculado ao Sistema Único de Saúde no Município de São Paulo e identificar as características de seu emprego na assistência à parturiente por enfermeira obstétricas. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo com base em entrevistas estruturadas com 35 enfermeiras que prestavam assistência às parturientes. RESULTADOS: Constatou-se que 100 por cento dos Centros de Parto Normal e 40,9 por cento dos Centros Obstétricos possuiam bola suíça. As indicações do uso da bola suíça foram: promover a descida da apresentação fetal (32,4 por cento), relaxamento (19,7 por cento), progressão do parto (17,1 por cento), exercício do períneo (14,5 por cento), alívio da dor (11,8 por cento), benefícios psicológicos e movimentação materna. A quase totalidade das instituições visitadas (96,8 por cento) não possuia protocolo para sua utilização. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo apontou que as enfermeiras atribuem benefícios ao uso da bola suíça no trabalho de parto. Ensaios clínicos são necessários para avaliar seus efeitos e subsidiar a elaboração de orientações para seu uso.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the use of the Swiss ball for the care of laboring women in obstetric care services linked to the Unified Health System in São Paulo, and to identify the characteristics of its use in assisting laboring women by nurse-midwives. METHODS: A descriptive study based on structured interviews with 35 nurses who were providing assistance to laboring women. RESULTS: We found that 100 percent of Normal Birthing Centers and 40.9 percent of obstetric centers owned the Swiss ball. The indications for the use of Swiss ball were: promoting fetal descent (32.4 percent), relaxation (19.7 percent), progression of labor (17.1 percent), exercise of the perineum (14.5 percent), pain relief (11.8 percent), psychological benefits and maternal movement. Nearly all of the institutions visited (96.8 percent) had no protocol for its use. CONCLUSION: The study found that nurses ascribe benefits to using the Swiss ball during labor. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate its effects and support the development of guidelines for its use.

OBJETIVOS: Caracterizar el uso de la pelota suiza en la asistencia a la parturienta en servicios de atención obstétrica vinculado al Sistema Único de Salud en el Municipio de Sao Paulo e identificar las características de su empleo en la asistencia de la parturienta por enfermeras obstétricas. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo a partir de entrevistas estructuradas realizadas a 35 enfermeras que prestaban asistencia a las parturientas. RESULTADOS: Se constató que el 100 por ciento de los Centros de Parto Normal y 40,9 por ciento de los Centros Obstétricos poseían la pelota suiza. Las indicaciones del uso de la pelota suiza fueron: promover el descenso de la presentación fetal (32,4 por ciento), relajamiento (19,7 por ciento), progresión del parto (17,1 por ciento), ejercicio del periné (14,5 por ciento), alivio del dolor (11,8 por ciento), beneficios psicológicos y movimiento materno. La casi totalidad de las instituciones visitadas (96,8 por ciento) no poseía protocolo para su utilización. CONCLUSIÓN: En el estudio se señaló que las enfermeras atribuyen beneficios al uso de la pelota suiza en el trabajo de parto. Los ensayos clínicos son necesarios para evaluar sus efectos y subsidiar la elaboración de orientaciones para su uso.