NURSING CARE FOR HIGH-RISK PREGNANT WOMEN IN BRAZIL

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the performance of nurses in Brazil during high-risk prenatal care, identifying effective interventions to prevent and treat complications affecting maternal and fetal health throughout the pregnancy-puerperal cycle. This research is an integrative literature review, with qualitative and descriptive analysis, guided by the question: “What is the role of the nurse in preventing and managing complications in high-risk pregnancy?”. Data collection was carried out between March and April 2025 in the BVS, PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases, using descriptors such as "High-Risk Pregnancy" and "Nurse's Role". Studies published between 2020 and 2025 were included, with full text available for free, focused on the Brazilian context. Manuscripts from other locations, reviews, theses, and duplicates were excluded. After the literature search, 473 records were identified; 66 duplicates were eliminated, leaving 407. After screening, full reading, and inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 articles were considered eligible for the review. The research focused on care for high-risk pregnant women, highlighting humanized care and the professional-patient bond. Structural barriers were identified, such as lack of resources and communication failures, that compromise care. It is concluded that it is necessary to improve the quality of care with public policies, clear protocols, and professional training, investing in interdisciplinary actions to strengthen the care network, in order to ensure the continuity of maternal and child care in high-risk pregnancies.