WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE DURING THE PUERPERIUM

Abstract

The puerperal period involves intense physical and psychological transformations in women, increasing their vulnerability to problems and complications. In Brazil, the Prenatal and Birth Humanization Program (PHPN) and the Family Health Strategy (ESF) promote comprehensive care, with a focus on active listening and women's autonomy. However, the fragmentation of health services and inefficient referral mechanisms hinder the effective implementation of this care. This study aims to identify gaps in puerperal care in Brazil, with a focus on the ESF and PHPN, and to propose improvements for more efficient and equitable care for women's biopsychosocial needs. This study is a narrative review of the literature in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases. Based on the central question, the search for descriptors was carried out using the Boolean operator “AND” and then the appropriate Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCs) were used: “Postpartum Period”, “Women's Health” and “Women's Health Services”. Eight articles were selected according to inclusion criteria related to the theme and the period of publication. According to the results, women often express dissatisfaction with the puerperal care provided by Family Health Teams, mainly because their needs are not adequately met. Although the Community Health Agents stand out for their welcoming and positive bond with users, many women find it difficult to transform their needs into health demands. For this reason, in order to improve, efficient public management, professional training and continuous care that covers all women, including those who have suffered pregnancy losses, is essential, promoting equity in access to care.