Premature birth and prenatal assistance: an integrative review in the light of Canguilhem

Abstract

Objective: to identify research linking premature birth with prenatal care, reflecting this relationship through the writings of Canguilhem. Method: integrative review of literature from the search in the databases available on the Virtual Health Library, in the period from 2007 to 2011, with final selection of six manuscripts. Results: the relationship between premature birth and prenatal care refers to the insufficient number of prenatal visits, the absence or insufficient quality of care. Prematurity and prenatal care should be considered as a single whole, with consideration of the expanded concept of care that extends the biological paradigm to the subjectivity of the subjects. Conclusion: based on the concepts of normal and pathological, is expected to contribute to change the focus of health professionals, from pregnancy to the mother, not belittling clinical and biological aspects, but considering the woman in her uniqueness, subjectivity and insertion in the social context.