During pregnancy, it's very easy to find tips, personal stories and recommendations on social media. The problem is that not all the information going around is up to date, evidence-based or suitable for every pregnant woman.

To help you along the way, Brazil's Ministry of Health offers free publications on pregnancy, prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum, breastfeeding, rights and other topics related to women's health.

Getting to know these materials can help you better understand each stage of pregnancy and also prepare questions for your prenatal appointments.

The Brazilian Pregnancy Record Booklet is a great starting point

Among the available materials, one of the most important for anyone who is pregnant is the Caderneta Brasileira da Gestante (Brazilian Pregnancy Record Booklet).

It was created to accompany the pregnant person through pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, bringing together information on health, care, rights and prenatal follow-up.

It also works as a way of communication between the pregnant woman and the professionals responsible for her care.

The booklet has spaces for recording information such as:

  • prenatal appointments;
  • tests taken;
  • vaccines;
  • information about the birth;
  • postpartum follow-up;
  • how the pregnancy is progressing;
  • the pregnant woman's own questions and notes.

It also includes guidance on self-care, signs that deserve attention and rights related to pregnancy and birth.

There is now also a digital version

In 2026, the Ministry of Health also made a digital version of the Brazilian Pregnancy Record Booklet available.

It can be accessed through Meu SUS Digital (the digital platform of SUS, Brazil's public health system), both in the app and on the web version of the platform.

The digital version brings together official information on topics such as prenatal care, childbirth, the postpartum period, vaccination, nutrition, mental health, rights and baby care.

Even when using the digital version, keep following the guidance of the team caring for your pregnancy.

Prenatal care: why is this follow-up so important?

Prenatal care isn't just for tracking the baby's growth.

During appointments, health professionals assess different aspects of the pregnancy and may identify situations that need specific follow-up.

The goal of prenatal care is to support a healthy pregnancy and reduce risks for the pregnant woman and the baby, as well as to include educational and preventive actions and attention to each person's individual needs.

That's why, even when you're feeling well, the appointments and tests requested during follow-up remain important.

Usual-risk pregnancy and high-risk pregnancy

Not all pregnancies need the same type of follow-up.

Some people can follow usual-risk care, while others need specialized assessment due to maternal or fetal conditions or conditions related to the pregnancy itself.

This classification can change over the course of the pregnancy.

In other words: a pregnancy initially considered usual-risk may later need specialized follow-up if a condition arises that increases the risk.

The team responsible for prenatal care is the one that should make this assessment.

Other Ministry of Health materials that may be useful

In addition to the Pregnancy Record Booklet, the Women's Health area brings together several documents and publications that help organize and improve care.

Prenatal care

The Ministry of Health has publications focused on monitoring pregnancy and organizing care during the prenatal period.

Although some of these materials were produced mainly for health professionals, they also help you better understand how pregnancy follow-up is structured in SUS.

Women's health

The Primary Care Protocols: Women's Health ("Protocolos da Atenção Básica: Saúde das Mulheres") cover different stages of life and include topics such as:

  • prenatal care;
  • the postpartum period;
  • breastfeeding;
  • reproductive planning;
  • menopause transition (climacteric);
  • disease prevention;
  • care for women experiencing violence.

The aim is to offer comprehensive care throughout the different stages of life, respecting individual needs and different contexts.

Rights and equity in care

The Ministry of Health's publications also include materials aimed at promoting equity and reducing inequalities in care.

This includes policies related to the health of the Black population, the LGBTQIAPN+ population and groups in situations of greater vulnerability.

These materials reinforce that health care should take into account the different realities, needs and experiences of the people being cared for.

Information helps — but it doesn't replace prenatal care

Having access to reliable information can make a big difference during pregnancy.

You can arrive at appointments with a better understanding of certain topics, remember important questions and take a more active part in decisions about your care.

But no booklet, app or article can individually assess a pregnancy.

Symptoms, test results and treatment decisions need to be analyzed considering each person's history and characteristics.

So use this content as support for professional care, not as a substitute for it.

A tip from Nilu 💚

If any questions come up during the week, you can also chat with Luna, Nilu's assistant.

She was designed to help answer questions about pregnancy, prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum and baby care in a simple, caring way.

Luna can also help you better understand some topics and organize the questions you want to bring to your next appointment.

She is a support and information tool, but she does not replace care from your health team.

Where can you find these materials?

The Ministry of Health's Women's Health — Publications page ("Saúde da Mulher — Publicações") brings together the Brazilian Pregnancy Record Booklet and several other official documents on women's health.

The Brazilian Pregnancy Record Booklet can also be accessed free of charge through the Ministry of Health's official channels and through Meu SUS Digital.

Sources

Brazil's Ministry of Health — Women's Health: Publications

Official page bringing together documents and materials on women's health.

Brazil's Ministry of Health — Brazilian Pregnancy Record Booklet

Official material for following pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.

Brazil's Ministry of Health — Maternal Health

Official information on prenatal follow-up and how care is organized during pregnancy.

Brazil's Ministry of Health — Prenatal Care

Guidance on the importance and goals of follow-up during pregnancy.

Brazil's Ministry of Health — Meu SUS Digital

Information on digital access to the Brazilian Pregnancy Record Booklet.