ABSTRACT Objective: to identify in the scientific literature the perception on the type of delivery from the perspective of professionals and women. Methodology: this is a literature review, study held in November 2010 in the electronic database of the Virtual Health Library using the keywords: cesarean, childbirth, and professional insight. Inclusion criteria: Studies published from 2005 to 2010, available in full text, free access and focus on the second type of delivery and perception of professional women. We found 35 articles and selected 17. The analysis was done by identifying categories of perception. Results: the categories of perception of delivery with higher expression were: concern for and given birth to the baby, fear and suffering; care professionals, caregivers presence, experience, preference for vaginal delivery, preference by caesarean. Conclusion: it appears that birth is a much studied phenomenon involving living, humane care and concern about needing better care for women during childbirth. Vaginal birth is still considered the safest and most desired, but women may be influenced by opinions of others, needing to be informed for their decision making
