Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(9):387-392
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140005053
To evaluate the cases of uterine rupture and dehiscence of the uterine scar at a low-risk maternity and to point out possibilities for an improved approach to these complications.
A descriptive study was conducted at a 30-bed low-risk maternity hospital that provides care to users of the public health system. The investigation was carried out by searching for cases in the delivery room registry book and later reading the medical records in order to obtain the data. The information was inserted on a form previously elaborated for this study. Cases of uterine rupure and dehiscence of the uterine scar diagnosed from 1998 to 2012 were included, with the determination of incidence, aspects related to risk factors and diagnosis, association with the use of misoprostol and oxytocin, and the outcomes observed.
A total of 39,206 deliveries were performed in this maternity during the study period, with 12 cases of uterine rupture and 16 cases of dehiscence of uterine scar being observed. The most relevant results were a high perinatal mortality associated with uterine rupture and the unsuccessful diagnosis of this complications. It was not possible to demonstrate an association with the use of misoprostol or oxytocin.
The adverse outcomes of uterine rupture could be minimized if efforts were directed at improving the diagnostic performance of the assisting teams.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(7):320-327
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140004998
Apresentar a adaptação transcultural para o português da Escala de Atitudes em Relação ao Ganho de Peso na Gestação.
Essa escala, que contém afirmações que expressavam diferentes atitudes de gestantes em relação ao seu próprio ganho de peso, foi desenvolvida para determinar se as atitudes em relação ao corpo afetariam o ganho de peso durante a gestação. Os procedimentos foram: tradução, retrotradução, avaliação da compreensão, elaboração de versão final, aplicação da escala em 180 gestantes (média 29,6 anos e idade gestacional 25,7 semanas) e análise psicométrica.
Constatou-se equivalência satisfatória entre as versões inglês-português e boa consistência interna (Alpha de Cronbach 0,7). A análise fatorial exploratória sugeriu quatro subescalas com variância total explicada de 51,4%.
A escala se demonstrou válida e pode ser utilizada em estudos com gestantes no Brasil para avaliação de atitudes em relação ao ganho de peso e detecção e prevenção de comportamentos disfuncionais durante a gestação.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(7):320-327
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140004998
To present the cross-cultural adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese language of the Pregnancy and Weight Gain Attitude Scale.
This scale was developed in order to verify whether attitude toward thinness affects weight gain during pregnancy and contains statements that express different attitudes of pregnant women regarding their own weight gain. The procedures were: translation, back translation, comprehension evaluation, preparation of a final version, application of the scale to 180 pregnant women (mean age=29.6, gestational age=25.7 weeks) and psychometric analysis.
Satisfactory equivalence between the versions and satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.7) were detected. The exploratory factor analysis suggested four subscales with 51.4% total variance explained.
The scale proved to be valid and can be used in studies with pregnant women in Brazil to assess attitudes toward weight gain and to detect and prevent dysfunctional behaviors during pregnancy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(5):222-227
DOI 10.1590/S0100-7203201400050007
To identify risk factors for weight retention in women after childbirth.
This was a prospective observational study that followed for six months adult women who delivered at a tertiary center. Were applied a structured questionnaire before hospital discharge and at six weeks and six months after childbirth, through home visits. The outcome was weight retention after childbirth (if risk >7.5 kg). The variables analyzed were: age, skin color, working during pregnancy, income, education, marital status, age at menarche, maternal age at first birth, parity, mode of delivery, birth interval, pre-pregnancy weight, gestational weight gain, percent body fat, and nutritional status. Data were first analyzed by bivariate analysis between prevalence of weight retention at six months and several covariates (p<0.2). We then calculated the Odds Ratio (OR) and their respective gross confidence intervals of 95% (95%CI) and finally performed multivariate logistic regression to control for confounding factors and to estimate the OR and 95%CI.
The frequency of weight retention >7.5 kg by 6 months after delivery was 15%. In bivariate analysis, weight retention was associated with the following variables: age at menarche <12 years (OR=3.7; 95%CI1.1-13.2), gestational weight gain ≥16 kg (OR=5.8; 95%CI 1.8-18.6), percent body fat at baseline >30% (OR=5.0; 95%CI 1.1-23.6), and nutritional status by 6 weeks postpartum >25 kg/m2 (OR=7.7; 95%CI1.6-36.1). In multivariate analysis, only excessive gestational weight gain (OR=74.1; 95%CI 9.0-609.6) remained as a risk factor.
Excessive weight gain during pregnancy should receive special attention in prenatal care in view of its association with weight retention and excess weight in women after childbirth.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(5):216-221
DOI 10.1590/S0100-7203201400050006
To assess the effects of aerobic physical exercise on the Doppler velocimetry of fetal vessels in pregnant women with no clinical or obstetrical complications.
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 10 healthy low-risk pregnant women at 2 different gestational times: between the 26th and 29th week and 6 days, and at the end of pregnancy, between the 30th and 35th week. The patients were submitted to aerobic physical exercise on a treadmill until reaching fatigue. Ultrasonographic data were obtained at rest and after physical exercise (Doppler velocimetry indices for the umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, ductus venosus, and uterine arteries). Data were analyzed statistically by the paired and independent Student's t-test using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) package, version 21.0.
A change in the pulsatility index was observed, with an indication of vasodilatation, with a median value of 1.1±0.1 before exercise and of 1.0±0.1 after exercise; the median value of the resistance index was 0.7±0.04 before exercise and 0.6±0.07 after exercise. The median systole/diastole ratio of the umbilical artery was 3.1±0.4 before exercise and 2.9±0.2 (p=0.03) after exercise at the beginning of pregnancy. No changes in the Doppler velocimetry parameters were observed for the uterine arteries, the middle cerebral artery or the ductus venosus after physical activity at either testing time. Paired analysis of pre- and post-activity data showed a reduction of resistance from the first to the second period (p<0.04).
Physical exercise does not lead to changes in systemic blood flow or fetal-placental flow in healthy pregnant women, confirming that exercises of mild to moderate intensity can be prescribed.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(3):131-138
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032014000300007
To adapt the Pregnancy and Sexual Function Questionnaire (PSFQ) for use in Brazil and to evaluate its psychometric properties.
An adaptation and validation study was performed with women in the last trimester of pregnancy living in Rio Branco, Acre. The questionnaire was translated into Portuguese, reviewed and evaluated by specialists, and a pretest was carried out. Construct validity was evaluated by factor analysis; internal consistency was estimated by Cronbach's alpha coefficient and MacDonald's omega, and reproducibility was evaluated by the kappa statistics and test-retest in a sample of pregnant women.
Factor analysis identified the following six domains: subjectivity, pain and discomfort; frequency and receptivity; desirability; satisfaction; orgasm; and stimulus. The internal consistency by Cronbach's alpha was 0.6, while MacDonald's omega was 0.7. The kappa value was higher than 0.7 in all questions.
The Portuguese version of the PSFQ was considered to be adequate for evaluating sexual function during pregnancy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(2):72-78
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032014000200005
To compare salivary and serum cortisol levels, salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), and unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) flow rate in pregnant and non-pregnant women.
A longitudinal study was conducted at a health promotion center of a university hospital. Nine pregnant and 12 non-pregnant women participated in the study. Serum and UWS were collected and analyzed every trimester and twice a month during the menstrual cycle. The salivary and serum cortisol levels were determined by chemiluminescence assay and the sAA was processed in an automated biochemistry analyzer.
Significant differences between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups were found in median [interquartile range] levels of serum cortisol (23.8 µL/dL [19.4-29.4] versus 12.3 [9.6-16.8], p<0.001) and sAA (56.7 U/L [30.9-82.2] versus 31.8 [18.1-53.2], p<0.001). Differences in salivary and serum cortisol (µL/dL) and sAA levels in the follicular versus luteal phase were observed (p<0.001). Median UWS flow rates were similar in pregnant (0.26 [0.15-0.30] mL/min) and non-pregnant subjects (0.23 [0.20-0.32] mL/min). Significant correlations were found between salivary and serum cortisol (p=0.02) and between salivary cortisol and sAA (p=0.01).
Serum cortisol and sAA levels are increased during pregnancy. During the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle, salivary cortisol levels increase, whereas serum cortisol and sAA levels decline.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2013;35(11):523-529
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032013001100008
PURPOSE: To evaluate the adequacy of gestational weight gain and to determine its association with maternal socioeconomic, demographic and nutritional factors and health care, to estimate the prevalence of low birth weight, macrosomia, preterm birth and cesarean delivery and to identify the association of these outcomes with the adequacy of weight gain. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 2009/2010 to obtain socioeconomic, demographic, nutritional, dietary and physical activity data of pregnant women assisted by primary health care in a municipality of the state of São Paulo. Subsequently, data were collected from the medical records to evaluate gestational weight gain. Type of delivery, birth weight and gestational age at delivery were obtained from the Livebirths Information System. Gestational weight gain was evaluated according to the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine (2009). Associations were investigated by comparing the frequencies and by logistic regression, with excessive weight gain (yes, no) and insufficient gain (yes, no) being the dependent variables. RESULTS: A total of 212 pregnant women were studied: 50.5% had excessive gain and 19.8% insufficient weight gain. Only prepregnancy nutritional status was associated with adequacy of weight gain: compared with normal weight, prepregnancy overweight women had a four-fold higher chance to gain excessive weight (OR 4.66, 95%CI 2.19-9.4). Nearly a third of babies were born by caesarian section, 5.7% were premature, 7.1% were underweight and 4.7% were macrosomic. There was no association between adequacy of gestational weight gain and these outcomes. CONCLUSION: The proportion of inadequate gestational weight gain was high. Overweight pregnant women have a four-fold higher chance to gain excessive weight, and priority should be given to actions promoting adequate prenatal weight gain.