Life perspectives of adolescents in the puerperium

Objective: identify the life perspectives of adolescents in the puerperal period, identifying their feelings regarding motherhood. Method: qualitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study, carried out at a public maternity hospital located in Joao Pessoa/PB. The population consisted of 16 adolescents in the puerperal period. Data were collected from semi-structured questionnaires and the data analysis used descriptive statistics. The Research Ethics Committee of Nova Esperanca Colleges approved it, protocol number 41/14 and CAAE: 24222214.0.0000.5179. Results: the following categories emerged: 1. Sensations and feelings related to the discovery of being a mother; 2. Concern about herself and the baby; 3. Changes in the life routine; 4. Perspectives for future projects. The results reinforce the need to know better the dreams and the ideals that guide the life projects of the adolescents in the puerperal period, in an attempt to construct prevention strategies that are closer to the needs generated in this population group. Conclusion: The adolescents believed in a promising future, despite difficulties encountered resulting from motherhood. The contribution of the study as a subsidy for the reflection of health professionals about the problem of being a mother during adolescence stands out, which positively influences the quality of care.  Descriptors: Nursing; Pregnancy in adolescence; Postpartum period.