HUMANIZATION OF NURSING CARE DURING LABOR

Abstract

Introduction: Humanized care during labor is a fundamental strategy for promoting woman-centered care, valuing autonomy, rights, and active participation in the birth process. In this context, nursing plays an important role in providing welcoming, respectful, and evidence-based care. Objective: To analyze in the literature nursing practices that contribute to the humanization of care during labor, considering active listening and the welcoming approach offered to parturients. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review conducted in the SciELO, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases. Articles published between 2021 and 2025, available in full text, written in Portuguese, and addressing nurses' performance in the humanization of labor were included. At the end of the selection process, 12 studies composed the review sample. Data were analyzed through thematic content analysis. Results: The studies showed that practices such as welcoming care, active listening, effective communication, continuous emotional support, encouragement of female protagonism, respect for women's autonomy, and appreciation of physiological childbirth contribute to the humanization of care. Factors influencing the implementation of these practices were also identified, including structural limitations, shortage of human resources, need for continuous professional training, weaknesses in continuing education processes, and the persistence of excessively medicalized care models. Conclusion: It is concluded that the humanization of nursing care during labor depends on the integration of technical skills, interpersonal competencies, and favorable institutional conditions. Strengthening obstetric nursing, together with valuing women's autonomy and investing in professional qualification, represents an important strategy for consolidating safer, more respectful, and woman-centered obstetric care.