Normal pregnancy Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(9):647-654
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000900005
PURPOSE: to study the effects of physiotherapeutic techniques applied by the Multidisciplinary Program of Preparation for the Childbirth and Maternity on musculoskeletal discomforts during pregnancy. METHODS: prospective cohort study, with 71 low-risk nulliparous women, distributed according to participation (study: n=38) or not (control; n=33). The Multidisciplinary Program of Preparation for Childbirh and Maternity had 10 meetings (18th to 38th week), with educational, physiotherapeutic, and interaction activities. Occurrence, characteristics, and evolution of musculoskeletal discomforts were compared by means of a specific questionnaire, both at the beginning and at the end of the program. The average of results of the initial assessment was compared through analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the F test. For the study between proportions in the beginning and at the end of the program the c² was used. The statistical significance was determined at 5% of limit (p<0.05). RESULTS: at the beginning of the program, 63.6% of the pregnant women of the control group and 84.2% of the study group reported musculoskeletal symptoms (p=0.05), characterized by back and posterior pelvic pain. In the control group, light intensity (18.2%) and serious intensity pain (18.4) were predominant, while in the study group, the serious was 36.8%, and the isolated or associated was 31.6%. At the end, the control group showed symptoms of serious intensity (60.6%), with daily frequency (42.4%) and length of more than 3 h (69.7%; p<0.05). The study group reported light intensity (57.9%) and bimonthly frequency (50.0%) with a maximum length of one hour (55.3%) (p<0.05). Symptom evolution was also differentiated and there were worsening in 63.6% of pregnant women of the control group and improvement in 65.8% of participants of the program (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: the physiotherapeutic techniques of the Multidisciplinary Program of Preparation for Childbirth and Maternity were related to a decrease in intensity, frequency and length and to a better evolution of musculoskeletal discomforts during pregnancy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(9):647-654
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000900005
PURPOSE: to study the effects of physiotherapeutic techniques applied by the Multidisciplinary Program of Preparation for the Childbirth and Maternity on musculoskeletal discomforts during pregnancy. METHODS: prospective cohort study, with 71 low-risk nulliparous women, distributed according to participation (study: n=38) or not (control; n=33). The Multidisciplinary Program of Preparation for Childbirh and Maternity had 10 meetings (18th to 38th week), with educational, physiotherapeutic, and interaction activities. Occurrence, characteristics, and evolution of musculoskeletal discomforts were compared by means of a specific questionnaire, both at the beginning and at the end of the program. The average of results of the initial assessment was compared through analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the F test. For the study between proportions in the beginning and at the end of the program the c² was used. The statistical significance was determined at 5% of limit (p<0.05). RESULTS: at the beginning of the program, 63.6% of the pregnant women of the control group and 84.2% of the study group reported musculoskeletal symptoms (p=0.05), characterized by back and posterior pelvic pain. In the control group, light intensity (18.2%) and serious intensity pain (18.4) were predominant, while in the study group, the serious was 36.8%, and the isolated or associated was 31.6%. At the end, the control group showed symptoms of serious intensity (60.6%), with daily frequency (42.4%) and length of more than 3 h (69.7%; p<0.05). The study group reported light intensity (57.9%) and bimonthly frequency (50.0%) with a maximum length of one hour (55.3%) (p<0.05). Symptom evolution was also differentiated and there were worsening in 63.6% of pregnant women of the control group and improvement in 65.8% of participants of the program (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: the physiotherapeutic techniques of the Multidisciplinary Program of Preparation for Childbirth and Maternity were related to a decrease in intensity, frequency and length and to a better evolution of musculoskeletal discomforts during pregnancy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(8):585-591
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000800007
PURPOSE: to analyze the histopathological patterns of the placental bed arteries in pregnancies complicated by abruptio placentae (AP) and compare them with the normal vascular histology of the placental bed. METHODS: placental bed biopsy was performed in 23 pregnant women with a diagnosis of abruptio placentae associated with high blood pressure (G/HBP) disorders, with gestational age of 28 weeks or more, submitted to cesarean section. The control group (CG) consisted of 30 patients without disease, submitted to cesarean section for obstetric reasons. The selected histological variables were: unaltered pattern, physiological changes, medial layer disorganization, hyperplastic changes, acute necrosis and atherosis. RESULTS: in patients with AP associated with HBP there was a significant predominance of medial layer disorganization and hyperplastic changes, compared to CG, while physiological changes in spiral arteries were statistically more common in CG. Findings of acute necrosis and atherosis were observed in a low number of G/HBP, with no statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: in pregnant women with AP associated with HBP the predominant vascular histological findings were medial layer disorganization and hyperplastic changes. The presence of histopathological features was significantly higher in G/HBP, with prevalence of medial layer disorganization. Normal histological pattern, i.e., physiological changes, were more prevalent in CG.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(8):585-591
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000800007
PURPOSE: to analyze the histopathological patterns of the placental bed arteries in pregnancies complicated by abruptio placentae (AP) and compare them with the normal vascular histology of the placental bed. METHODS: placental bed biopsy was performed in 23 pregnant women with a diagnosis of abruptio placentae associated with high blood pressure (G/HBP) disorders, with gestational age of 28 weeks or more, submitted to cesarean section. The control group (CG) consisted of 30 patients without disease, submitted to cesarean section for obstetric reasons. The selected histological variables were: unaltered pattern, physiological changes, medial layer disorganization, hyperplastic changes, acute necrosis and atherosis. RESULTS: in patients with AP associated with HBP there was a significant predominance of medial layer disorganization and hyperplastic changes, compared to CG, while physiological changes in spiral arteries were statistically more common in CG. Findings of acute necrosis and atherosis were observed in a low number of G/HBP, with no statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: in pregnant women with AP associated with HBP the predominant vascular histological findings were medial layer disorganization and hyperplastic changes. The presence of histopathological features was significantly higher in G/HBP, with prevalence of medial layer disorganization. Normal histological pattern, i.e., physiological changes, were more prevalent in CG.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(6):437-442
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000600009
PURPOSE: to study the evolution of the resistance and pulsatility indices, maximum velocity, final diastolic velocity and time of acceleration of the middle cerebral artery of fetuses between 22 and 38 weeks of gestation. METHODS: a prospective and longitudinal observational study was conducted on 33 fetuses of normal pregnant women evaluated between 22 and 38 weeks of pregnancy. The gestational age was determined on the basis of the date of the last menstruation and/or by ultrasound examination during the first trimester. Doppler ultrasound examination was performed by a single observer using an Image Point 1800 (Hewlett Packard) apparatus equipped with a multiple frequency transducer. For the acquisition of the Doppler tracing of the middle cerebral artery, the sample indicator was calibrated for a sample volume of 1 mm³ and placed on the anterior middle cerebral artery as close as possible to the skullcap. The insonation angle was kept between 5º and 19º and the filter was adjusted to a frequency of 50-100 Hz. The newborn infants were evaluated in order to confirm that the fetuses were vigorous and adequate for gestational age. RESULTS: the results obtained for the resistance and pulsatility indices revealed a 2nd-degree equation, representing a parabola whose values for the resistance index were 0.81 during the 22nd week and 0.75 during the 38th week. The pulsatility index was 1.59 during the 22nd week and 1.45 during the 38th week. Maximum systolic velocity increased progressively along pregnancy, with values of 26.3 cm/s during the 22nd week and 57.7 cm/s during the 38th week. Final diastolic velocity increased progressively from the 26th week (5.21 cm/s) to term (14.6 cm/s). Acceleration time increased significantly only between 26 and 30 weeks, with values of 0.04 s during the 26th week and 0.05 s during the 30th week. CONCLUSION: it was concluded that the evolution of the resistance and pulsatility indices and of maximum systolic velocity were similar to those of most studies described in the literature. Acceleration time presented few modifications during the evaluated gestational weeks.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(6):437-442
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000600009
PURPOSE: to study the evolution of the resistance and pulsatility indices, maximum velocity, final diastolic velocity and time of acceleration of the middle cerebral artery of fetuses between 22 and 38 weeks of gestation. METHODS: a prospective and longitudinal observational study was conducted on 33 fetuses of normal pregnant women evaluated between 22 and 38 weeks of pregnancy. The gestational age was determined on the basis of the date of the last menstruation and/or by ultrasound examination during the first trimester. Doppler ultrasound examination was performed by a single observer using an Image Point 1800 (Hewlett Packard) apparatus equipped with a multiple frequency transducer. For the acquisition of the Doppler tracing of the middle cerebral artery, the sample indicator was calibrated for a sample volume of 1 mm³ and placed on the anterior middle cerebral artery as close as possible to the skullcap. The insonation angle was kept between 5º and 19º and the filter was adjusted to a frequency of 50-100 Hz. The newborn infants were evaluated in order to confirm that the fetuses were vigorous and adequate for gestational age. RESULTS: the results obtained for the resistance and pulsatility indices revealed a 2nd-degree equation, representing a parabola whose values for the resistance index were 0.81 during the 22nd week and 0.75 during the 38th week. The pulsatility index was 1.59 during the 22nd week and 1.45 during the 38th week. Maximum systolic velocity increased progressively along pregnancy, with values of 26.3 cm/s during the 22nd week and 57.7 cm/s during the 38th week. Final diastolic velocity increased progressively from the 26th week (5.21 cm/s) to term (14.6 cm/s). Acceleration time increased significantly only between 26 and 30 weeks, with values of 0.04 s during the 26th week and 0.05 s during the 30th week. CONCLUSION: it was concluded that the evolution of the resistance and pulsatility indices and of maximum systolic velocity were similar to those of most studies described in the literature. Acceleration time presented few modifications during the evaluated gestational weeks.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2000;22(10):641-646
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032000001000007
Purpose: to evaluate the influence of cigarette smoking on uteroplacental, fetoplacental and fetal blood flow by obstetric Doppler velocimetry of the uterine, umbilical and middle cerebral arteries. Method: a prospective study with 42 healthy pregnant women, 20 of whom were smokers and 24 nonsmokers. Ultrasound was performed initially to determine the gestation time. The pregnant women next underwent pulsed and color Doppler velocimetry of the uterine, umbilical and middle cerebral arteries at the 24th, 28th, 32nd, 36th, and 40th week. The smokers were instructed not to smoke for at least two hours before the test. Results: the mean resistance index (RI) of the right and left uterine arteries was greatest in the smoking group at the 36th week [mean (SD) = 0.501 (0.034)], (p = 0.002). The pulsatility index (PI) of the umbilical artery was greatest in the smoking group at the 28th week [mean (SD) = 1.135 (0.182)], (p = 0.008). No difference in the PI of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was detected between the two groups. However, the MCA/umbilical PI ratio was lower in the smoking group at the 32nd [mean (SD) = 1.977 (0.291)], (p = 0.027), and 36th week [mean (SD) = 1.850 (0.465)], (p = 0.014). Conclusion: it was concluded that smoking increases resistance in the uteroplacental and fetoplacental circulation while simultaneously reducing resistance in the MCA, imitating a "brain-sparing" effect, most likely due to chronic hypoxia.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2000;22(10):641-646
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032000001000007
Purpose: to evaluate the influence of cigarette smoking on uteroplacental, fetoplacental and fetal blood flow by obstetric Doppler velocimetry of the uterine, umbilical and middle cerebral arteries. Method: a prospective study with 42 healthy pregnant women, 20 of whom were smokers and 24 nonsmokers. Ultrasound was performed initially to determine the gestation time. The pregnant women next underwent pulsed and color Doppler velocimetry of the uterine, umbilical and middle cerebral arteries at the 24th, 28th, 32nd, 36th, and 40th week. The smokers were instructed not to smoke for at least two hours before the test. Results: the mean resistance index (RI) of the right and left uterine arteries was greatest in the smoking group at the 36th week [mean (SD) = 0.501 (0.034)], (p = 0.002). The pulsatility index (PI) of the umbilical artery was greatest in the smoking group at the 28th week [mean (SD) = 1.135 (0.182)], (p = 0.008). No difference in the PI of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was detected between the two groups. However, the MCA/umbilical PI ratio was lower in the smoking group at the 32nd [mean (SD) = 1.977 (0.291)], (p = 0.027), and 36th week [mean (SD) = 1.850 (0.465)], (p = 0.014). Conclusion: it was concluded that smoking increases resistance in the uteroplacental and fetoplacental circulation while simultaneously reducing resistance in the MCA, imitating a "brain-sparing" effect, most likely due to chronic hypoxia.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2000;22(9):551-555
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032000000900003
Purpose: to evaluate the evolution in the embryo heart rate in the first trimester of pregnancy. Patients and Methods: in a prospective study 206 pregnant women were evaluated in the first trimester of pregnancy, by transvaginal color Doppler sonography, using Aloka, SSD-2000 apparatus, with a 5-MHz transvaginal transducer. All examinations were performed by the same examiner, with the determination of embryo heart rate. The patients were classified into groups according to the gestational age, in half-week intervals from the 5th week of pregnancy on. Pregnancy outcome was evaluated by ultrasonography at the end of second and third trimesters. Mean and standard deviation were determined for each evaluated gestational age. Results: it was possible to determine normal values for embryo heart rate. Mean embryo heart rate showed changes with gestational age, ranging from 110 ± 14 bpm at the 6.0th week to 150 ± 12 bpm at the 14.0th week. Conclusions: transvaginal pulsed color Doppler equipment enabled cardiovascular evaluation in early pregnancy, being a noninvasive method and innocuous to the embryo. These values would be useful in new studies on dopplervelocimetry in this period of pregnancy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2000;22(9):551-555
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032000000900003
Purpose: to evaluate the evolution in the embryo heart rate in the first trimester of pregnancy. Patients and Methods: in a prospective study 206 pregnant women were evaluated in the first trimester of pregnancy, by transvaginal color Doppler sonography, using Aloka, SSD-2000 apparatus, with a 5-MHz transvaginal transducer. All examinations were performed by the same examiner, with the determination of embryo heart rate. The patients were classified into groups according to the gestational age, in half-week intervals from the 5th week of pregnancy on. Pregnancy outcome was evaluated by ultrasonography at the end of second and third trimesters. Mean and standard deviation were determined for each evaluated gestational age. Results: it was possible to determine normal values for embryo heart rate. Mean embryo heart rate showed changes with gestational age, ranging from 110 ± 14 bpm at the 6.0th week to 150 ± 12 bpm at the 14.0th week. Conclusions: transvaginal pulsed color Doppler equipment enabled cardiovascular evaluation in early pregnancy, being a noninvasive method and innocuous to the embryo. These values would be useful in new studies on dopplervelocimetry in this period of pregnancy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(2):115-121
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000200007
PURPOSE: to establish a normality curve of cervical length during pregnancy measured by transvaginal ultrasonography. METHODS: we conducted a prospective, longitudinal study on 82 healthy pregnant women who were followed up from the beginning of pregnancy to delivery at four-week intervals, of whom 49 concluded the study. Patients were divided according to parity into nulliparous women and women with one or more previous deliveries. Cervical length was measured in a sagittal view by transvaginal ultrasonography, as the linear distance between internal and external cervical os. RESULTS: no significant difference was observed in mean cervical length or the 5th, 25, 50th, 75th, or 95th percentile according to gestational age between groups (p>0.05). Between the 20thand 24th gestacional week, the 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles of cervical length were 28, 35 and 47.2 mm, respectively. Cervical length decreased progressively during normal pregnancy, with a significant shortening observed after 20 weeks of gestation and being more marked after 28 weeks (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: the pattern of cervical length behavior does not seem to differ between nulliparous women and women with one or more previous deliveries. The numerical values of the normality curve of cervical length according to gestational age reflect the variability in the peculiar characteristics of the studied sample, thus emphasizing the value of the parameters established for different populations.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(2):115-121
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000200007
PURPOSE: to establish a normality curve of cervical length during pregnancy measured by transvaginal ultrasonography. METHODS: we conducted a prospective, longitudinal study on 82 healthy pregnant women who were followed up from the beginning of pregnancy to delivery at four-week intervals, of whom 49 concluded the study. Patients were divided according to parity into nulliparous women and women with one or more previous deliveries. Cervical length was measured in a sagittal view by transvaginal ultrasonography, as the linear distance between internal and external cervical os. RESULTS: no significant difference was observed in mean cervical length or the 5th, 25, 50th, 75th, or 95th percentile according to gestational age between groups (p>0.05). Between the 20thand 24th gestacional week, the 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles of cervical length were 28, 35 and 47.2 mm, respectively. Cervical length decreased progressively during normal pregnancy, with a significant shortening observed after 20 weeks of gestation and being more marked after 28 weeks (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: the pattern of cervical length behavior does not seem to differ between nulliparous women and women with one or more previous deliveries. The numerical values of the normality curve of cervical length according to gestational age reflect the variability in the peculiar characteristics of the studied sample, thus emphasizing the value of the parameters established for different populations.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2001;23(1):21-27
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032001000100004
Purpose: nucleated red blood cell counts are increased in several hypoxic conditions. The authors aimed to establish if there is a correlation between erythroblast counts in the umbilical vein of newborns and the presence of perinatal hypoxia detected by acid-base balance parameters. Methods: blood samples were obtained from the umbilical vein of pregnant subjects with at least 37 weeks of gestation attended at the Hospital de Alvorada-RS, just before the newborns' first breathing movement. Part of the blood was placed in an EDTA-containing vial and white and red blood cells were analyzed. The remaining amount of blood was aspirated into insulin type syringe previously washed with heparin and pH, pO2, pCO2 and acid-base excess/deficit were analyzed. Slides were also prepared with the panoptic stain for visual identification and count of the erythroblast number. The erythroblast/leukocyte ratio was calculated. Results: of the 158 cases included in the study, 55 were considered free of perinatal hypoxia. In this population, the average erythroblast rate was 3.9% with a standard deviation of 2.8%. The minimum and maximum values were 0% and 10%, respectively. When considering all the cases, the average was 5.7%, with a standard deviation of 5.3%. The minimum and maximum values were 0% and 28%, respectively. Application of Pearson's test for the analysis of the erythroblast rate and acid-base parameters showed a significant correlation for pH and pCO2. The construction of a Receiver Operation Curve showed that for an erythroblast rate of 5%, a 7.25-pH cutoff yields a sensitivity of 54% and a specificity of 56%. Out of the 23 newborns whose normoblast rate was greater than 10%, there was acidemia in 7 (30.4%), 11 (48.7%) were large for gestational age, 3 (13%) were small for gestational age, 7 (30.4%) were anemic, and in 3 (13%) there were no abnormalities. Conclusions: in newborns from uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries, the erythroblast rate was less than 10%. When it was greater than 10%, a correlation was found mainly with large or small for gestational age, fetal anemia and acidemia.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2001;23(1):21-27
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032001000100004
Purpose: nucleated red blood cell counts are increased in several hypoxic conditions. The authors aimed to establish if there is a correlation between erythroblast counts in the umbilical vein of newborns and the presence of perinatal hypoxia detected by acid-base balance parameters. Methods: blood samples were obtained from the umbilical vein of pregnant subjects with at least 37 weeks of gestation attended at the Hospital de Alvorada-RS, just before the newborns' first breathing movement. Part of the blood was placed in an EDTA-containing vial and white and red blood cells were analyzed. The remaining amount of blood was aspirated into insulin type syringe previously washed with heparin and pH, pO2, pCO2 and acid-base excess/deficit were analyzed. Slides were also prepared with the panoptic stain for visual identification and count of the erythroblast number. The erythroblast/leukocyte ratio was calculated. Results: of the 158 cases included in the study, 55 were considered free of perinatal hypoxia. In this population, the average erythroblast rate was 3.9% with a standard deviation of 2.8%. The minimum and maximum values were 0% and 10%, respectively. When considering all the cases, the average was 5.7%, with a standard deviation of 5.3%. The minimum and maximum values were 0% and 28%, respectively. Application of Pearson's test for the analysis of the erythroblast rate and acid-base parameters showed a significant correlation for pH and pCO2. The construction of a Receiver Operation Curve showed that for an erythroblast rate of 5%, a 7.25-pH cutoff yields a sensitivity of 54% and a specificity of 56%. Out of the 23 newborns whose normoblast rate was greater than 10%, there was acidemia in 7 (30.4%), 11 (48.7%) were large for gestational age, 3 (13%) were small for gestational age, 7 (30.4%) were anemic, and in 3 (13%) there were no abnormalities. Conclusions: in newborns from uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries, the erythroblast rate was less than 10%. When it was greater than 10%, a correlation was found mainly with large or small for gestational age, fetal anemia and acidemia.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2001;23(6):391-396
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032001000600008
Purpose: to evaluate the prescription of prenatal fluoride supplements by gynecologists and obstetricians in Curitiba and metropolitan region. Methods: two hundred and twenty-three (223) questionnaires were distributed to gynecologist-obstetricians. Questions were about the use of fluoride during pregnancy, time since graduation, workplace, among other parameters. Statistical analyses were carried out using Student's t-test, variance analysis (ANOVA), chi² test or Fisher exact test. Results: only 137 questionnaires were returned, which corresponds to 30% (137/441) of the professionals in the studied area and 61.4% (137/223) of the distributed questionnaires. Of the professionals, 47.5% prescribe fluoride as a supplement during pregnancy. Sixty percent of professionals who prescribe fluoride believe that this procedure leads to a better dental formation and caries prevention in the baby. The professionals who do not prescribe prenatal fluoride graduated more recently than the professionals who prescribe it (t=2.27, p<0.05). Moreover, the professionals who work exclusively in the public service prescribe less than those who work only in the private sector (Fisher exact test, p<0.05). Conclusion: there is a large percentage of gynecologist-obstetricians who still prescribe fluoride in the prenatal period, in spite of the recent studies that have not observed any benefit to the child. Therefore, there is a need to update these professionals about the mechanism of action, indication and clinical use of fluoride.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2001;23(6):391-396
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032001000600008
Purpose: to evaluate the prescription of prenatal fluoride supplements by gynecologists and obstetricians in Curitiba and metropolitan region. Methods: two hundred and twenty-three (223) questionnaires were distributed to gynecologist-obstetricians. Questions were about the use of fluoride during pregnancy, time since graduation, workplace, among other parameters. Statistical analyses were carried out using Student's t-test, variance analysis (ANOVA), chi² test or Fisher exact test. Results: only 137 questionnaires were returned, which corresponds to 30% (137/441) of the professionals in the studied area and 61.4% (137/223) of the distributed questionnaires. Of the professionals, 47.5% prescribe fluoride as a supplement during pregnancy. Sixty percent of professionals who prescribe fluoride believe that this procedure leads to a better dental formation and caries prevention in the baby. The professionals who do not prescribe prenatal fluoride graduated more recently than the professionals who prescribe it (t=2.27, p<0.05). Moreover, the professionals who work exclusively in the public service prescribe less than those who work only in the private sector (Fisher exact test, p<0.05). Conclusion: there is a large percentage of gynecologist-obstetricians who still prescribe fluoride in the prenatal period, in spite of the recent studies that have not observed any benefit to the child. Therefore, there is a need to update these professionals about the mechanism of action, indication and clinical use of fluoride.