NURSING CARE IN THE CHOICE OF DELIVERY METHOD: WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND AUTONOMY

Abstract

Introduction: High rates of surgical procedures and routine interventions in Brazilian obstetrics pose ongoing challenges to women’s agency and the consolidation of reproductive rights. Objective: To analyze how nursing care fosters women's autonomy regarding the choice of delivery method, identifying prenatal educational interventions, the impact of Birth Plans, and strategies to address obstetric violence. Methodology: An integrative review guided by the PICO strategy and PRISMA 2020 recommendations, searching the BVS, LILACS, SciELO, and PubMed databases (2020–2026). From 412 initial records, and following screening and full-text reading of 32 eligible items, 18 primary studies were selected and critically appraised using the JBI instrument. Results and Discussion: Nursing plays a central role in the demedicalization of childbirth. Structured prenatal care and the collaborative development of Birth Plans strengthen informed decision-making and alleviate anxiety. All included studies were conducted in Brazil (100%, n=18), with a predominance of the Southeast (38.9%) and South (27.8%) regions. Conclusion: Nursing practice shifts the focus of care toward humanization, mitigating authoritarian practices and ensuring the woman remains central to her childbirth experience.