Applying Collière’s theoretical-philosophical ideas to consider new care technologies in obstetric nursing.

Abstract

Approaching nursing from the perspective of a feminine practice, this article aimed at identifying the possibility to apply Collière’s ideas on obstetric nursing care, relating them to the nurse’s background. A descriptive method and the technique of content analysis was used to analyze scientific communications, focusing on social, theoretical-philosophical, political, and ideological aspects related to women’s health, care technologies and human care in obstetric nursing. Results indicated the following analytical categories: nursing as profession; practice of care: from women to nurses; care provided by women: a sacred or challenged survival practice; identification of care practices with the nurse as an emancipated, citizen, and autonomous woman. We concluded that nurses working in obstetrics need to reconstruct their professional, individual, and social role. We suggest a reflexive critic on the appropriateness and validity of care technological innovations to provide quality women health care.