Factors associated with infant feeding intention among usual-risk pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors associated with infant feeding intention among usual-risk pregnant women. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in two primary healthcare institutions in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, with usual-risk pregnant women. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling method was used, and 119 pregnant women participated. Data collection took place from May 2022 to February 2023. The data collection process involved using forms and the Infant Feeding Intention Scale. Ethical considerations were strictly adhered to. RESULTS: The study revealed statistically significant differences in the infant's means. The majority of pregnant women (96.6%) declared that they would breastfeed after giving birth. The intention to breastfeed exclusively was statistically higher in mothers with younger children and previous experience of breastfeeding or complications in the current pregnancy. CONCLUSION: This study clarified that the intention to breastfeed up to 6 months is influenced by variables encompassing the age of the youngest child, previous breastfeeding experience, and pregnancy complications, emphasizing the intricate nature of the determinants of intention to breastfeed.

Acupuncture for perceived stress in pregnant women: an intervention study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of acupuncture in the treatment of perceived stress in pregnant women. METHOD: A before-after intervention study, carried out in a primary health unit in Fortaleza-Ceará, with 56 pregnant women. The pregnant women underwent six acupuncture sessions, with two 30-minute sessions per week. Before the first session, an instrument to collect sociodemographic, clinical, and obstetric data was applied. The Global Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10) was applied weekly to monitor the progression of stress during treatment. RESULTS: After the intervention, there was a significant decrease in the scores of the following scale items: being upset, inability to control, nervousness, tiredness, anger, and inability to overcome stress. (p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in the score of the item control of situations (p = 0.003). There was a significant difference in the mean perceived stress of the initial session compared to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd week sessions (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of acupuncture to treat stress during pregnancy reduced the stress perceived by pregnant women.

Can pelvic floor muscle training prevent perineal laceration? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is reportedly able to reduce risk factors for perineal trauma. However, the effects of these exercises on perineal injuries are unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of PFMT in the prevention of perineal laceration. SEARCH STRATEGY: Searches were conducted in PubMed/Medline, LILACS, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CINAHL. For search strategies, we combined the terms PFMT, tear, laceration, perineum, and delivery. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of PFMT for the prevention of perineal laceration during vaginal delivery. There were no period or language limitations. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We conducted data extraction and synthesis. We performed a quality appraisal, a qualitative synthesis, and for meta-analysis we used the Software R. MAIN RESULTS: Nine studies were included. In most studies, PFMT was performed daily, with a wide range of the number of contractions and sustainability. Prevalence of perineal laceration had a wide range and information on laceration degree was limited. Meta-analysis showed that PFMT was not effective to prevent perineal laceration. CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor muscle training does not prevent perineal laceration. Further studies are needed to investigate different protocols and interventions.

Acupuncture for perceived stress in pregnant women: an intervention study / Acupuntura en el estrés percibido en embarazadas: un estudio de intervención / Acupuntura no estresse percebido em gestantes: um estudo de intervenção

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the effects of acupuncture in the treatment of perceived stress in pregnant women. Method: A before-after intervention study, carried out in a primary health unit in Fortaleza-Ceará, with 56 pregnant women. The pregnant women underwent six acupuncture sessions, with two 30-minute sessions per week. Before the first session, an instrument to collect sociodemographic, clinical, and obstetric data was applied. The Global Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10) was applied weekly to monitor the progression of stress during treatment. Results: After the intervention, there was a significant decrease in the scores of the following scale items: being upset, inability to control, nervousness, tiredness, anger, and inability to overcome stress. (p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in the score of the item control of situations (p = 0.003). There was a significant difference in the mean perceived stress of the initial session compared to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd week sessions (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The use of acupuncture to treat stress during pregnancy reduced the stress perceived by pregnant women.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar los efectos de la acupuntura en el tratamiento de estrés percibido en embarazadas. Método: Estudio de intervención del tipo antes y después, realizado en Unidad Básica de Salud de Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil, con 56 embarazadas. Las embarazadas realizaron seis sesiones de acupuntura, con periodicidad de dos sesiones semanales y duración de 30 minutos. Antes de la primera sesión se aplicó instrumento de recolección de datos sociodemográficos, clínicos y obstétricos. Se aplicó semanalmente la Escala Global de Estrés Percibido (PSS10) para averiguar la evolución del estrés durante el tratamiento. Resultados: Tras la intervención, hubo disminución significativa en la puntuación de los siguientes ítems de la escala: preocupación, incapacidad de control, nerviosismo, cansancio, rabia e incapacidad de superación del estrés (p < 0,05). Se observó notable crecimiento en la puntuación del ítem control de las situaciones (p = 0,003). Hubo diferencia significativa en la media de estrés percibido de la sesión inicial en relación a las sesiones de la 1ª, 2ª y 3ª semana (p < 0,001). Conclusión: El uso de la acupuntura para el tratamiento del estrés en el embarazo redujo el estrés percibido por las embarazadas.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar os efeitos da acupuntura no tratamento de estresse percebido em gestantes. Método: Estudo de intervenção do tipo antes e depois, realizado em unidade básica de saúde de Fortaleza-Ceará, com 56 gestantes. As gestantes realizaram seis sessões de acupuntura, com periodicidade de duas sessões por semana e duração de 30 minutos. Antes da primeira sessão, aplicou-se instrumento de coleta de dados sociodemográficos, clínicos e obstétricos. Semanalmente, foi aplicada a Escala Global de Estresse Percebido (PSS10) para verificar a evolução do estresse durante o tratamento. Resultados: Após a intervenção, houve uma diminuição significativa na pontuação dos seguintes itens da escala: preocupação, incapacidade de controle, nervosismo, cansaço, fúria e incapacidade de superar o estresse (p < 0,05). Observou-se aumento significativo na pontuação do item controle das situações (p = 0,003). Houve diferença significativa na média de estresse percebido da sessão inicial em relação às sessões da 1ª, 2ª e 3ª semana (p < 0,001). Conclusão: O uso da acupuntura para tratamento do estresse na gestação reduziu o estresse percebido pelas gestantes.

Maternal predictors related to quality of life in pregnant women in the Northeast of Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Gestation is a period that can positively or negatively influence the life of a woman in the pregnancy-puerperal cycle. Thus, evaluating the quality of life of this population can redirect the implementation of innovative practices, with the goal of making them more effective and practical or the promotion of humanized care. The present study aimed to evaluate the predictors that influence the health-related quality of life of low-risk pregnant women, as well as to describe the main areas affected in the quality of life of pregnant women. METHODS: A correlational, quantitative and cross-sectional study was carried out in two public units that provide prenatal care services and a private unit in the city of Fortaleza, a municipality in the Northeast of Brazil. The sample consisted of 261 pregnant women who were interviewed from September to November 2014. The collection instruments were a questionnaire covering sociodemographic, obstetric and quality of life variables, in addition to the Brazilian version of the Mother-Generated Index (MGI). The data were compiled and analyzed through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 20.0. A descriptive analysis was performed through the application of Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and one-way ANOVA. Maternal predictors for the quality of life of pregnant woman were identified through a multivariate analysis/multiple regression. RESULTS: The response rate was 100%, corresponding to 261 respondents. Occupation, parity, partner support, marital status and persons with whom the women live were the predictors that positively interfered in the quality of life of pregnant women. In contrast, gestational age, type of housing, occupation, use of illicit drugs, non-receipt of partner support and maternal age were the predictors that negatively influenced quality of life. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that happiness to become a mother and body image were areas with the greatest positive and negative influence on health-related quality of life, which suggests being relevant aspects in the planning and implementation of actions aimed at its improvement.

[Tubal ligation: the characterization of sterilized users of a public service]. / Laqueadura tubária: caracterização de usuárias laqueadas de um serviço público.

The purpose of this study was to trace the contraceptive history of sterilized women and identify the associations between educational, sexual and obstetric variables and the women's age when they underwent the procedure for tubal ligation (TL). This is a retrospective documentary study performed at the Lígia Barros Costa Natural Birthing Center in Fortaleza, Ceará, with 1423 records, dating from 2005 to 2008, 277 of which referred to sterilized women. Data analysis involved applying the calculation of frequencies, Pearson's chi-square test and correlation of Pearson/Spearman. Sterilized women represented a population with low education, marital union, and a history of infrequent use of other contraceptive methods other than condoms and the pill. Numbers of pregnancies and abortions/miscarriages were related with the age of TL, unlike the variables of education and the age of the first sexual intercourse. With this knowledge at hand, nurses can improve their look towards women looking forward to TL, and thus strengthen education strategies and promote greater diversity in the alternatives for contraception.