Desired versus actual delivery route: nursing students’ perception about their type of delivery

OBJECTIVE: To identify the perception of nursing student mothers regarding the desired type of delivery in relation to the one performed. METHOD: Qualitative research, supported by the assumptions of Humanization of Obstetric Care, developed remotely with 16 nursing students who experienced the parturition process. The data were collected through an online focus group using the Google Meet program, guided by a semi-structured script. The speeches were analyzed using the Thematic Content Analysis technique. RESULTS: An unsatisfactory discrepancy was identified between the mother’s preference and the realization, predominantly the desire for the vaginal way due to academic knowledge about the benefits. However, the cesarean section was predominant as a procedure performed due to possible complications, fears, financial situation of the parturient woman and control of choice by the health professional. CONCLUSION: Perception indicates marked disagreements, with the presence of complications, fear, lack of autonomy and predominance of a hegemonic care model, reinforcing the need for expansion and application of the Humanization of Obstetric Care, as a primary condition for proper monitoring.