Profile of high-risk pregnant women and co-management of the decision on the routh of birth delivery between doctor and pregnant woman

Abstract

Cross-sectional study carried out with survey data in four large Brazilian cities. This article analyzes data from Campinas/SP, aiming at characterizing the sociodemographic profile of pregnant women followed-up at the High-Risk Pregnancy public services in Campinas and discuss aspects related to prenatal care. The sample was calculated considering the prevalence of the disease, morbidity profile and healthcare coverage. Questionnaires were applied to 405 pregnant women of these services and a descriptive analysis was performed based on the frequency distribution of the questions. Their profile is mainly composed by young, black women, who have completed high school and without health insurance. There was a statistical association between variables: when women choose their own birth individually, the majority opts for normal delivery. When only the doctor decides, the majority indicates cesarean section and, when a joint decision is made the cesarean section prevails, but in a lower percentage than when the doctor decides alone. It is necessary to discuss the power asymmetry between doctors and patients, deepening the results through interviews with both actors.