[Prenatal monitoring and health education]

Contrary to not so far away times, today in Portugal the pregnant woman is precociously accompanied by health professionals within whom it is important to focus the intervention of the midwives who accompanies, gives advice and even more and more frequently gives adequate formation on how to live in a healthy and balanced way this period of her life. This study is part of the core of a comprehensive sociology. The method of collecting empirical data involves the semi-structured interview and direct observation. The midwives had been unanimous in affirming that the Education for the Health is an activity with priority. However, there seems to be some confusion in the concepts of "prevention and promotion". These practices are divided into two models, which we designate as traditional and dialogic. The first model points to the prevention of diseases and damages in accordance with the information of biometric contents in order to reduce individual risks. The second is focused on the individual and its reality, thus considered as subject of the educational practice. Therefore is pertinent to question on how the schools should train form the professionals of health in relation to this intention.