TEMAS LIVRES FREE THEMES O processo de cuidar participante com um grupo de gestantes: repercussões na saúde integral individual-coletiva The participant caring process with a group of pregnant: impact in the individual and collective health

To study the impact of the use of a par- ticipant caring process on the individual and col- lective health care applied to a group of pregnant. The study was carried out through health care practices with ten pregnant individuals from Sep- tember to December, 2002. Group activities were developed in six health workshops followed by a home visit to each participant. Using qualitative approach, data were collected through participant observations and interviews during the work- shops and home visits, as designed in the Ecologi- cal and Holistic Care Reference. The effects of the participant health care were identified trough a process of analysis, and synthesis in the following dimensions: (a) the pregnant woman with her- self; (b) the pregnant woman with her baby and family members; (c) the pregnant woman and family members with the community. The search for knowledge based on the participant approach influenced the enlargement of the concept of health and citizenship of pregnant women and their en- vironment. The use of new paradigm approaches can contribute to promoting health as well as to subsidizing interdisciplinary studies.