Experiências de agentes comunitários de saúde na atenção à gestantes e puérperas: um olhar para a relação mãe-bebê

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate and identify the understanding of community health agents regarding mother-baby relationship through their experiences with pregnant and postpartum women, articulating their practical and theoretical knowledge. This is a qualitative study, in which semistructured individual interviews were used for data collection and examined based on content analysis of Bardin (2016). Seven community health agents participated in this study, all of which had experience attending to pregnant and postpartum women. It was identified that all participants comprehend the bond as something built since pregnancy, and influenced by factors such as planning and desire of becoming a mother, experiences of maternal care within the family and presence of a support network. Furthermore, it was verified that besides having great knowledge regarding mother-baby relationship, they also act as bond promoting agents, aiding mothers and pregnant women through their interventions.