DESAFIOS DA ENFERMAGEM OBSTÉTRICA NA ASSISTÊNCIA A GESTANTES COM COVID-19: UMA EXPERIÊNCIA EM UMA MATERNIDADE PÚBLICA DO INTERIOR DO AMAZONAS

Abstract The Covid-19 pandemic has imposed unprecedented challenges on obstetric care, especially in public maternity hospitals located in peripheral and rural regions of Brazil. Obstetric nursing, recognized as one of the pillars of humanized childbirth, faced a scenario of overload, resource scarcity, institutional insecurity, and emotional distress among both professionals and pregnant women. This article aims to analyze the challenges faced by obstetric nurses in assisting pregnant women diagnosed with Covid-19, based on the experience of a public maternity hospital in the municipality of Itacoatiara, in the interior of the Amazon region. The research is based on the understanding that obstetric care is not limited to technical procedures but involves affective, symbolic, and ethical dimensions that become even more relevant in times of health crisis. The methodology adopted was qualitative, with semi-structured interviews conducted with obstetric nursing professionals working in the hospital between March and June 2020. Data were analyzed using content analysis, allowing the identification of categories such as emotional overload, fear of contagion, strategies of emotional support, and redefinition of care. The literature review includes real authors and publications from 2010 to 2025, focusing on obstetric nursing, childbirth humanization, and the impact of the pandemic on maternal care. The results show that despite the adversities, obstetric nurses sought to preserve the bond with the pregnant woman, ensuring qualified listening, emotional support, and humanized practices. It is concluded that the recognition and strengthening of obstetric nursing are essential for building safe, ethical, and woman-centered care, and that public policies must support and invest in these professionals, especially in vulnerable contexts. The article also proposes directions for future studies that explore the relationship between obstetric practices, emotional health, and crisis management. keywords: obstetric nursing, covid-19, humanized childbirth, maternal care