Noronha-Brazil connection: contagion curve and childbirth itineraries between the island of Fernando de Noronha and mainland

Abstract

Objective: to scrutinize the risk management and care strategies adopted by two pregnant women relocating from Fernando de Noronha Island to the mainland during the COVID-19 pandemic, given the explicit prohibition of childbirth on the island. Methods: an analysis was conducted on regulations and guidelines pertaining to childbirth, with a specific focus on obstetric and neonatal care networks and reproductive health policies. Additionally, interviews were carried out with pregnant women who temporarily moved to the mainland for childbirth. Results: the prohibition of childbirth on island regions stems from a multifaceted analysis involving biomedical, economic, and environmental factors. Despite a uniform sanitary regulation, the risk management and care practices of the pregnant individuals differed, reflecting their unique experiences. Factors such as the absence of support networks, separation from family, and heightened concerns for birth safety were highlighted, emphasizing the necessity for public policies to address local issues and diverse experiences. Conclusion: the analysis underscores that, beyond the coercive prohibition of childbirth on the island, ensuring optimal conditions for giving birth on the mainland was not consistently guaranteed, revealing limitations in reproductive rights within this context. This scenario underscores the imperative for a more comprehensive policy approach to effectively promote reproductive rights.

Received: 05/05/23|Review: 08/11/23|Accepted: 09/11/23