OBJECTIVES: to identify changes of health care indicators of women who gave birth in the municipality of São José do Rio Preto, between 1997 and 2001, according to the established maximum percentage of c-sections. METHODS: women who reside and gave birth in hospitals within the municipal in 1997 and 2001 were included in the study and specifically those who were treated in hospitals that primarily serve the National Health Care System. This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey using primary and secondary data sources. The primary data were collected using a questionnaire by sampling and secondary data came from birth certificates from the "Life Birth Registration System". RESULTS: between 1997 and 2001, a reduction in teenage pregnancies and an improvement in the education of women were seen. The number of c-sections was reduced in the evaluated hospitals and there was an increased number of prenatal consultations. However, other indicators such as birth weight, Apgar score, gestational age and the number of women who thought normal childbirth was the most recommended showed no changes. The indicators related to breastfeeding improved. CONCLUSIONS: an improvement in some of the assessed indicators was seen, although the quality of the services in São José do Rio Preto needs to be further discussed.
Services evaluation; Prenatal care; Parturition; Women's health
