This descriptive-exploratory study investigates the expectations of the parturients and the knowledge that they have over newborn care, evaluating the influence of the hospitalization in the acquisition of these informations. Through the interviews with 92 parturients from the maternity of a hospital scholl, in two stages (internment and discharge) it has been verified that umbilical butt, general care, food and corporal hygiene constitute subjects of most interest of this clientele. The hospitalization has contributed for the acquisition of informations about technical aspects of the care (umbilical dressing, bath, eructation and position of the baby on the cradle after breast-feeding). The authors discuss about the educational role of the nursing in attending the necessities of the clientele.