Ultrasound by nurses: an innovation in the prenatal care for Xavante women in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract Objective To describe the importance of including ultrasound as a nursing tool in the prenatal care of indigenous Xavante women. Methods This qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study was conducted in the Brazilian Amazon region. Data collection was performed in November and December 2022, using semi-structured interviews. Nine nurses participated in the study using the ultrasound tool during nursing consultations in the prenatal care of indigenous pregnant women in five Xavante villages. Their speeches were analyzed using thematic analysis with the help of the IRaMuTeQ® software. Results Content was divided into three classes from the Descending Hierarchical Classification dendrogram. Three distinct categories emerged during the analysis of the three classes: (1) nursing consultation in prenatal care using ultrasound examination as an innovation in the quality of care; (2) the sexual and reproductive health of indigenous women, and (3) obstetric ultrasound to stratify risk in indigenous territory. Conclusion Ultrasound as a nursing tool in the prenatal care of Indigenous Xavante women is a recent practice that has shown to be essential for qualifying mother-and-child care in Indigenous territory. However, the number of professionals able to perform such an examination is reduced, making it necessary to standardize the use of this tool.