PRIMARY HEALTH CARE ON PREGNANCY: EDUCATIONAL GROUPS

Introduction and objective: Sometimes, in primary care, prenatal care is limited to the clinical care due to difficulties in implementation of educational activities and orientation groups. The aim of this study is to describe a course for pregnant women, organized by a group of Vila Velha University medical students, in order to share information, support women and their families, hence, contributing in the quality of care in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. Method: In association with health community agents, the students performed home visits in the community to invite pregnant women and their partners to attend the course. The course was divided into three weeks with a two hours meeting per week. The themes discussed were: the importance of prenatal care, immunization, changes in the body and diseases during pregnancy, birth signs, and breastfeeding. The themes were explained with PowerPoint slides and demonstrations. At the end, there was a group dynamic and socializing. Three months after the course, new home visits were performed to follow up the newborn and strengthen the guidance provided throughout the course. RESULTS and CONCLUSIONS: The participants showed interest in learning, shared living and experiences of past pregnancies and sought to find answers to their doubts. The course was able to provide continued contact, creating greater intimacy and closeness among them. During the post-course visits, security and greater ability of mothers regarding to the child‘s care was noticed and they reported that the course was crucial for their behaviour, since, most of them were first time mothers.