[Teaching of obstetrical nursing in Brazil: successes and failures from 1972 to 1996]

Investigation with descriptive and qualitative approach. Political-social context of Nurse teaching are analyzed, with emphasis in policies formation. Teaching programs of Obstetrical Nursing from 1972 to 1996 utilized by five graduate teaching schools were described and analyzed according to geographical region, for dialetic analysis of thematic and contents. It was evidenced that disciplines has given priority for governmental purposes centered on pregnant-puerperal cycle, although it should had some political-social movements influence, mainly feminist and progressive sanitation, on which the PAISM is based. The emerging content of these movements were not exposed (family health, subjectivity, violence, gender, among others). Most of institutions were on curricular reformulation to attend the 314/94 statement which determines generalist nurse curriculum in Brazil.