RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OBSTETRIC NURSE IN THE HEALTH EDUCATION PROCESS AND APPLICATION OF THE BIRTH PLAN

Abstract

This study aims to describe the role of the obstetric nurse in guiding and implementing the Birth Plan during prenatal care and labor. This is a descriptive bibliographic review with a qualitative approach, analyzing scientific literature published between 2020 and 2026 in the LILACS, MEDLINE, BDENF, and Google Scholar databases, using the descriptors women's health, birth plan, and nursing. Twenty articles addressing the Birth Plan in connection with the humanization of obstetric care were selected. The results were organized into three categories: the Birth Plan as an instrument of female autonomy and empowerment; the obstetric nurse's role in building and applying the Birth Plan; and the impacts of the Birth Plan on maternal experience and quality of obstetric care. It is concluded that the Birth Plan contributes to strengthening women's autonomy and improving obstetric care, with the obstetric nurse playing an essential role in this process.