The present study has the objective to identify the care given to women in pre-childbirth and childbirth periods under the perception of the nursing students. It is a descriptive case study with a qualitative approach. Over thirty students of Federal Nursing School, situated in the city of Rio de Janeiro, were interviewed and the results demonstrated they possess a critical vision on the care offered to the women in the pregnancy and puerperal cycle and classifies it as an extremely technical care. They recognize that the so called humanized and beneficial activities in the pre-childbirth and childbirth periods are distant of being praised by the Health Department. Therefore, women need to be perceived, heard and considered when the intentions are to develop an assistance to them with best results, strengthing their autonomy and respecting their rights while woman and citizen.
Care; Nursing students; Parturian