Information of Pregnant Women on Risk Factors and Prevention in Vascular Compli Cations During Pregnancy

Abstract

There is high risk in developing trombo-embolic occurrences during pregnancy, especially in the second trimester. Risk derives from several adaptative mechanisms that maintain pregnancy and fetus viability. Complication risks are greater in the case of trombophilias or coagulation disorders which cause high levels of maternal and fetal morbo-mortality. High rates reveal the need for counseling especially on habits to be avoided and behavior that should be practiced during the pre-natal and puerperium periods. Current study analyzed the number of pregnant women in the metropolitan region of Maringá, Brazil, that had some information on thrombophilia. One hundred pregnant women, most of them within the 20-35 years bracket, were interviewed. They answered a single questionnaire and provided the following information: 47% were between the 14th and 30th week of pregnancy; 15% did not know pregnancy age with any precision since they became recently aware of pregnancy and were making their first visit to the doctor ?s; 68% responded that they did not have any information on the subject. In spite of lack of instructions, a significant section of the participants answered the questions correctly, with special reference to physical activity, proper diet, the dangers of smoking, obesity, chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and systemic arterial hypertension.