Production of an educational primer on the intrauterine development for pregnant women users of the Family Health Units and health plans services

• Grant number: 09/14171-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2010
• End date: January 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Embryology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Angélica Spadella Santos
• Grantee: Thalita da Silva Canevari
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (FAMEMA). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). Marília , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Pregnancy is a period in which significant changes happen to a woman's life. The Ministry of Health emphasizes that the gestational period is characterized by physical and emotional changes that generate several doubts. It is in this context of uncertainties that gestation is overburdened with popular superstitions. Thence, the mysteries of the intrauterine life and the ways by which the environment can influence that process have always aroused great interest. However, pregnant women and the population in general have either a restricted or no access to information on the human prenatal development. Furthermore, there are no references to elucidative materials in the literature directed to this public with explanations that, besides clarifying pregnant women doubts, are necessary for their understanding of their baby's intrauterine development, as this has a direct influence on the child's mental and physical development after birth. In this connection, some studies impart that information and explanation bring more peacefulness to pregnant women, besides reinforcing the importance of self-care relevance. The present work aims at the elaboration and evaluation of an educational primer that will be developed through the identification of the prevailing doubts and curiosities concerning the human intrauterine development presented by pregnant women, users of the family health units and health plans services. Firstly, a qualitative study of the patients' doubts through an individual, semi-structured interview will be accomplished. The prevalent themes depicted after the analysis of that material will guide the construction of the educational primer, which will then be granted to another group of pregnant women to read. Subsequently, an assessment of its effectiveness in the elucidation of such doubts and curiosities will be carried out. (AU)