Development and validation of a nursing care protocol for pregnant women and newborns in Brazil

Background: The standards for the care of women and newborns are a collaborative plan of care based on the prioritization of diagnoses, problems, health issues, and mutually established goals, involving the interprofessional team, the patient, their supportive network, or community. Thus, it is crucial to develop a plan of care and implement it in this field to promote the health of women and newborns. This study aims to develop and validate a clinical protocol modeled on the nursing process for implementation in a Normal Birth Center (NBC) in Brazil. Methods: This methodological study with a qualitative approach was developed in four distinct phases: scoping reviews, qualitative discussions with nurses, and the construction and validation of the protocol. Results: The scoping review on diagnoses yielded 26 nursing diagnoses. The scoping review on interventions underscored the significance of employing non-pharmacological techniques for pain relief and maternal and neonatal care, highlighting the importance of providing physical and emotional support to women and their babies. The clinical protocol was developed utilizing the minimum nursing dataset, correlating with the 35 evaluated diagnoses in consultations with nurses, and integrating interventions and linkages from NANDA-NIC-NOC. 10 nursing experts validated the protocol. Conclusion: The clinical protocol will be implemented in an NBC to enhance nursing care for pregnant women and neonates. Additionally, it is anticipated that this study will stimulate the development of new research on the topic, linking various contributions to the field of obstetric nursing and increasing awareness of its value through individualized, targeted diagnoses, interventions, and activities.