[Clinical practice in looking after breastfeeding women and the new-born in some hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia].

OBJECTIVE

Evaluating the frequency of 17 practices being used in managing the main causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in some hospitals in Bogotá between August 2004 and March 2005.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out. The data related to 3,108 women who gave birth at gestational age greater than 24 weeks.

RESULTS

The following percentages were obtained for each variable evaluated: having a perinatal record card (79.4%), taking iron and folic acid supplement (87.3%), syphilis screening (69.5%), bacteriuria screening (69.7%), constant accompaniment during giving birth (42.0%), not taking enemas (99.4%), not shaving the perinea (93.0%), selective episiotomy in first-time mothers (56.5%), adopting a squatting or seated position when giving birth (7.9%), active management of birth in gestation greater than 41 weeks (14.7%), active management of birth (73.5%), administering prophylactic antibiotics during a caesarean birth (61.2%), treating severe pre-eclampsia (76.5%) and eclampsia (20.0%) with magnesium sulphate, administering corticoids for inducing foetal maturation in mothers having a high risk of predetermined birth (51.6%), exclusive maternal lactation, having no restrictions (99.1%) and joint mother-newborn accommodation (91.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Effective methodologies are required for guaranteeing adherence to maternal and perinatal attention regulations and guidelines and those administrative and management decisions facilitating compliance with them.