Knowledge of pregnant womenʼs right to have a companion present during childbirth in Basic Units of Health

Introduction - The Brazilian National Congress promulgated in 2005 the Law that guarantees to women in labor the right to have a companion present during the childbirth and immediate after childbirth, in public hospitals which had agreement with Single Health System. However, it is observed in practical clinic that most of women when inserted in Brazilian hospital institutions give light alone. The objective of the study was to verify if women know their right to the have a companion present during the childbirth and if they are informed during the prenatal of this right. Material and Methods - A descriptive study with quantitative boarding was developed, carried through in three Basic Units of Health in the South District of the city of Campinas - São Paulo. The population was constituted by women in the third trimester of gestation, who had carried through the prenatal in any of these units in the year of 2006. Results - Fifty pregnant women in young age, predominantly married, with low education level and that worked as housewives participated of the study. It was observed that 52.0% of the participants didn't have companion present during the prenatal and the majority (60,0%) mentioned that did not know their right to the companion, while the minority that withheld such information got it by means of not trustworth sources, as family and friends. Conclusions - The pregnant women are little informed by health professionals about their rights during the pregnancy. It is necessary educative activities directed to the pregnant women, promoted by health professionals, aiming at the clarification on their rights while woman, mother and citizen.