RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of pregnancy and childbearing on women with spinal cord injuries and their attitude toward pregnancy. Design and setting. State-wide questionnaire survey from two databases, Florida, USA. METHODS: Women with spinal cord injuries between 18 and 40 years were invited to participate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge about pregnancy after spinal cord injury and complications of pregnancy. Population. Hundred and fourteen women with spinal cord injuries. RESULTS: Twenty-three women (20%) received information about pregnancy during rehabilitation, but only 12 (10%) found it adequate. Rates of response of 'adequate information' were similar between women who became pregnant after injury and those who did not (9.0% vs. 8.6%, p=1.0). Younger age at injury was the only predictor of pregnancy after spinal cord injuries. Preterm delivery occurred in 33% of women; 22% were unable to feel preterm labor. Thrombosis (8%), urinary complications (59%), dysreflexia (27%), and worsened spasticity (22%) were the most common complications in pregnancy and post-partum depression (35%) was the most common complication in the puerperium. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate information about pregnancy is common among young women with spinal cord injury. Heightened surveillance for certain complications is warranted in women with spinal cord injuries.
