BackgroundAntenatal preparation programmes are recommended worldwide to promote a healthy pregnancy and greater autonomy during labor and delivery, prevent physical discomfort and high levels of anxiety. The objective of this study was to evaluate effectiveness and safety of a birth preparation programme to minimize lumbopelvic pain, urinary incontinence, anxiety, and increase physical activity during pregnancy as well as to compare its effects on perinatal outcomes comparing two groups of nulliparous women.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted with 197 low risk nulliparous women aged 16 to 40 years, with gestational age ≥ 18 weeks. Participants were randomly allocated to participate in a birth preparation programme (BPP; n=97) or a control group (CG; n=100). The intervention was performed on the days of prenatal visits, and consisted of physical exercises, educational activities and instructions on exercises to be performed at home. The control group followed a routine of prenatal care. Primary outcomes were urinary incontinence, lumbopelvic pain, physical activity, and anxiety. Secondary outcomes were perinatal variables.ResultsThe risk of urinary incontinence in BPP participants was significantly lower at 30 weeks of pregnancy (BPP 42.7%, CG 62.2%; relative risk [RR] 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51-0.93) and at 36 weeks of pregnancy (BPP 41.2%, CG 68.4%; RR 0.60; 95%CI 0.45-0.81). Participation in the BPP encouraged women to exercise during pregnancy (p=0.009). No difference was found between the groups regarding to anxiety level, lumbopelvic pain, type or duration of delivery and weight or vitality of the newborn infant.ConclusionsThe BPP was effective in controlling urinary incontinence and to encourage the women to exercise during pregnancy with no adverse effects to pregnant women or the fetuses.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov, (NCT01155804)

No Brasil, a realização de interrupção legal de gestação consequente à violência sexual é permitida por lei. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar vivências de mulheres após a violência sexual, no diagnóstico de gravidez, na busca pelo serviço de interrupção legal da gestação e durante a internação em um hospital universitário. Foi realizada pesquisa qualitativa com entrevistas semiestruturadas em dez mulheres de 18-38 anos e escolaridade ≥ 8 anos, após 1-5 anos da interrupção legal da gestação. As mulheres desconheciam o direito à interrupção legal da gestação, sentiram a violência sexual como experiência vergonhosa, mantiveram segredo e não procuraram qualquer atendimento imediato. O diagnóstico de gravidez provocou sentimentos de angústia e desejo de abortar. Para as mulheres que procuraram o setor de saúde suplementar as orientações foram precárias ou não aconteceram. O atendimento dos profissionais mostrou-se relevante para assimilação da experiência do aborto. É necessário divulgar o direito à interrupção legal da gestação e a existência de serviços que a realizam, e capacitar profissionais de saúde e segurança pública para atender esses casos.

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This two-component study (descriptive cross-sectional and qualitative) assessed the availability of contraceptives in primary care clinics in Brazilian municipalities. The family planning program was also analyzed as part of the country's Family Health Strategy. Phone interviews were held with local health managers to obtain information on contraceptive supply in a selected sample of municipalities. Four municipalities were selected and visited for the qualitative analysis, using direct observation and semi-structured interviews with health professionals and managers. Descriptive statistical and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Content analysis technique was used for qualitative data. According to the results, family planning activities are often not integrated with other health activities. Health professionals and managers failed to understand family planning as part of primary health care and felt unable to assist patients. Family planning in Brazil is marked by the unavailability of contraceptives in public health programs.

A cross-sectional and case-control study with a matching for age was performed to evaluate quality of life in 58 women with a diagnosis of premature ovarian failure (POF) and 58 women with normal ovarian function paired for age (± 2 years) (control group). In both groups were excluded women with chronic diseases and iatrogenic or genetic causes. Quality of life was evaluated using the WHOQOL-BREF. Although there were no statistically significant differences in quality of life in general between the two groups, there were statistically significant differences in mean scores in the physical health [61.3 ± 18.0 and 72.8 ± 16.4 for the POF and control groups, respectively (p < 0.0001)] and psychological domains [64.2 ± 16.7 and 69.3 ± 14.1, respectively (p = 0.0455)]. Having POF represented an approximately 2.5-fold greater risk of scoring poorly in the physical health and psychological domains. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups with respect to the social relationships or environment domains or for overall health. Women with POF have more difficulty with respect to their physical health and psychological aspects, indicating a need to provide adequate psychosocial and clinical support for these women to minimize the repercussion of this diagnosis on their activities and quality of life.

BackgroundInformation is still scarce on the birthing experience of women who participate in antenatal systematic education programs. The objective of the study was to report the experience of labor as described by nulliparous women who participated and who did not in a systematic Birth Preparation Program (BPP).MethodA qualitative study was conducted with eleven women who participated in a BPP and ten women attending routine prenatal care selected through purposeful sampling. The BPP consisted of systematized antenatal group meetings structured to provide physical exercise and information on pain prevention during pregnancy, the role of the pelvic floor muscles, the physiology of labor, and pain relief techniques. A single, semi-structured interview was conducted with each participant. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematic analyses performed. The relevant themes were organized in the following categories of analysis: control of labor, positions adopted during labor, and satisfaction with labor.ResultsWomen who participated in the systematic educational activities of the BPP reported they maintained self-control during labor and used breathing exercises, exercises on the ball, massage, baths and vertical positions to control pain. Also they reported satisfaction with their birthing experience. Women who did not participate in systematic educational activities referred to difficulties in maintaining control during labor and almost half of them reported lack of control. Also they were more likely to report dissatisfaction with labor.ConclusionsWomen who participated in the BPP reported self-control during labor and used non-pharmacological techniques to control pain and facilitate labor and expressed satisfaction with the birthing experience.

Abstract

BackgroundThe overall prevalence of infertility was estimated to be 3.5–16.7% in developing countries and 6.9–9.3% in developed countries. Furthermore, according to reports from some regions of sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence rate is 30–40%. The consequences of infertility and how it affects the lives of women in poor-resource settings, particularly in developing countries, has become an important issue to be discussed in reproductive health. In some societies, the inability to fulfill the desire to have children makes life difficult for the infertile couple. In many regions, infertility is considered a tragedy that affects not only the infertile couple or woman, but the entire family.MethodsThis is a position paper which encompasses a review of the needs of low-income infertile couples, mainly those living in developing countries, regarding access to infertility care, including ART and initiatives to provide ART at low or affordable cost. Information was gathered from the databases MEDLINE, CENTRAL, POPLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and ICTRP with the key words: infertility, low income, assisted reproductive technologies, affordable cost, low cost.ResultsThere are few initiatives geared toward implementing ART procedures at low cost or at least at affordable cost in low-income populations. Nevertheless, from recent studies, possibilities have emerged for new low-cost initiatives that can help millions of couples to achieve the desire of having a biological child.ConclusionsIt is necessary for healthcare professionals and policymakers to take into account these new initiatives in order to implement ART in resource-constrained settings.