OBJECTIVES: this study aimed to explore, from a maternal perspective, the experiences of Brazilian women regarding prenatal care, childbirth, and immediate postpartum period, including the associated feelings and emotions.
METHODS: a qualitative phenomenological study was conducted with six women, aged 18 years or older, who were in the third trimester of pregnancy during the first part of the study, regardless of parity, and who received care in both public and private healthcare institutions. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted during pregnancy and after birth (30-45 days). Data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).
RESULTS: the findings strongly indicate that perceptions and emotions regarding pregnancy and childbirth varied widely across participants. Common anticipatory feelings included fear, curiosity, and anxiety. Participants who reported negative maternity care experiences expressed feelings of apprehension and stress, whereas positive experiences fostered confidence and peace of mind regarding childbirth.
CONCLUSION: the findings highlight the diverse range of perceptions and emotions during pregnancy, childbirth and immediate postpartum among women in Brazil. The study

Palavras-chave: Pregnancy, Childbirth, Maternal mental health, Experience, Phenomenology

OBJECTIVE: to estimate the prevalence of HIV and syphilis, and their association with gestational complications and newborn outcomes in women admitted for delivery at a mother and child center in the South of Brazil.
METHODS: cross-sectional study based on the review of electronic medical records of parturients (March/2016 to June/2018). Sociodemographic and clinical data were analyzed. HIV and syphilis were considered outcomes, then exposures to assess associations with pregnancy and neonatal variables. Prevalence Ratio (PR) were calculated using Poisson Regression with robust variance and 95% Confidence Interval (CI).
RESULTS: data from 6,527 women were evaluated. HIV prevalence was 0.6% and syphilis 1.5%. Women assisted by the public health system [PR=2.28 95%CI=1.07-4.82 for syphilis; PR=3.52 95%CI=1.06-11.72 for HIV] and drug users [PR=5.47 95%CI=2.49-12.04 for syphilis; PR=4.76 95%CI=1.12-20.19 for HIV] were more affected. Syphilis was more prevalent among younger and non-white women (p=0.001). Adequate prenatal care reduced syphilis by 38% (PR= 0.62 95%CI=0.39-0.97; p=0.006). Neonatal complications occurred in 32.3% of syphilis cases and 17.1% of HIV cases. Of the 98 syphilis cases, 29.6% led to congenital syphilis.
CONCLUSION: women in socially vulnerable conditions, such as drug users, were more affected. Congenital syphilis exceeded the national average, reinforcing the need for timely and comprehensive prenatal care.

Palavras-chave: Syphilis, HIV seropositive, Congenital syphilis, Sexually transmitted diseases, High-risk pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: to develop and validate an educational booklet for pregnant women experiencing pelvic girdle pain.
METHODS: this was a methodological development study conducted at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil. The educational booklet was developed following a comprehensive literature review and subsequently validated by healthcare professionals and pregnant women. Content and appearance were assessed using the Content Validity Index (threshold: 0.8 or higher) and the percentage of absolute agreement among participants (threshold: 75% or higher).
RESULTS: in the first stage, healthcare professionals rated the material with a mean global content validity of 0.93. In the second stage, pregnant women indicated an 89.2% agreement regarding its clarity, relevance, and usability. The final version, titled "What You Need to Know About Gestational Pelvic Pain", includes an introduction, the definition and location of pain, its relationship with pregnancy, and practical guidance for prevention and self-management.
CONCLUSION: the educational booklet met the acceptability standards established for validation and may contribute to improving prenatal care and self-management of pelvic girdle pain.

Palavras-chave: Pregnancy, Health education, Pelvic girdle pain, Physical therapy, Validation study

OBJECTIVES: the objective this study was evaluating the prevalence of maternal colonization by Group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GBS) in pregnant women who delivered preterm and its relationship with adverse maternal/perinatal outcomes.
METHODS: we carried out a retrospective cohort study with singleton pregnancies with or without a culture for GBS (vaginal-rectum) who delivered spontaneously <37 weeks of gestation.
RESULTS: the study included 190 pregnant women, 53.1% (101/190) did not undergo culture for GBS and 46.8% (89/101) have done. Among the patients who had a culture, 13.5% (12/89) had positive culture for GBS and 86.5% (77/89) had a negative culture. Pregnant women without GBS culture had higher prevalence of preterm birth (74.3 vs. 59.6%, p=0.031) and lower prevalence of antibiotic prophylaxis (27.7 vs. 56.2%, p<0.001) than pregnant women with GBS culture. Higher prevalence of crystalline penicillin G use was observed in pregnant women with positive culture compared to pregnant women with negative culture for GBS (100 vs. 39%, p<0.0001). There was no significant association between pregnant women with or without a culture for GBS or positive and negative GBS cultures and adverse maternal/perinatal outcomes.
CONCLUSION: No significant association was found between GBS culture or not, GBS positive or negative culture, adequate or inadequate GBS prophylaxis, and the prevalence of adverse maternal/perinatal outcomes.

Palavras-chave: Group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, Screening, Preterm delivery, Antibiotic prophylaxis, Adverse maternal/perinatal outcomes

OBJECTIVES: to summarize evidence on the quantitative parameters of skin-to-skin contact during hospitalization in newborns ≤32 weeks of gestational age that are associated with infant interactive skills.
METHODS: a systematic review was conducted, consulting databases in August 2024: BVS, Pubmed, CINAHL, Scopus, APA PsycNET, and Web of Science. Eligible studies were those focusing on mother-preterm infant interaction, evaluated by behavioral observation, that performed skin-to-skin contact during hospitalization, and analyzed infant interactive skills. Studies with indirect evaluation or those including children born above 32 weeks of gestational age were excluded. Data extraction and evaluation of methodological quality were performed independently by three reviewers using the QUIPS Tool and Quality Assessment Tool scales.
RESULTS: eight studies were included. The minimum time for the initiation of skin-to-skin contact was found to be 15 minutes of life for stable preterm infants. The duration varied from 1 to 2 hours/day, for approximately 15 days. Skin-to-skin contact was associated with improving contact initiative, responsiveness, reciprocity, gaze, vocalization, positive affect, and the infant's negative mood.
CONCLUSION: skin-to-skin contact needs to be included in the routines of neonatal units, as a tool to promote initial interaction between mother and infant.

Palavras-chave: Mother-infant relations, Mother-child interaction, Skin-to-skin contact, Kangaroo care, Preterm infant, Systematic review

OBJECTIVES: to synthesize preventive measures against listeriosis during pregnancy as presented in the scientific literature.
METHODS: a scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Articles were systematically searched in the PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, Web of Science, LILACS, and Scopus databases. Screening and data extraction were performed manually, with the support of the Rayyan^® software.
RESULTS: of 449 articles initially identified, seven were included. The main preventive measures identified were educational interventions on risks and food safety practices, consistent with health authority recommendations. However, the literature also highlights significant challenges in effectively applying these measures, particularly in adapting them to specific social and cultural contexts.
CONCLUSIONS: health education remains the primary strategy for preventing listeriosis during pregnancy. Nevertheless, its effectiveness depends on integrated actions that address sociocultural barriers, regulatory frameworks, and systematic surveillance.

Palavras-chave: Listeriosis, Pregnancy, Prevention, Health education, Public health surveillance

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, particularly preeclampsia, represent a global public health issue and are the leading cause of maternal mortality in Brazil, accounting for 20% of maternal deaths. Despite advancements in prevention, disparities persist, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where calcium intake is often below recommended levels. This article reviews the evidence supporting calcium supplementation as an effective strategy for preventing preeclampsia, with benefits extending beyond blood pressure control. Systematic review data from the Cochrane Library highlight a reduction in preeclampsia, maternal morbidity, and preterm birth among women who supplement and have low calcium intake. However, recent debates have questioned the universality of this recommendation, suggesting supplementation only for high-risk pregnancies. These controversies arise from methodological limitations in sensitivity analyses and misinterpretations. Nevertheless, the World Health Organization guidelines advocate calcium supplementation of 1.5-2 g/day for pregnant women in regions with low calcium intake. This recommendation aligns with findings demonstrating improved maternal and neonatal outcomes, emphasizing the need for widespread implementation. Urgent national policies in Brazil are required to ensure equitable access to calcium, particularly given the high prevalence of preeclampsia and maternal mortality.

Palavras-chave: High-risk pregnancy, Calcium, Preeclampsia, Maternal mortality, Public health

OBJECTIVES: to assess the COVID-19 pandemic impact on breastfeeding rates during birth hospitalization in a Baby-Friendly certified perinatal hospital in Portugal.
METHODS: observational retrospective study comparing pre-pandemic (2019) and pandemic (April-December 2020) periods. A total of 900 healthy term mother-newborn dyads in rooming-in were included. Maternal and neonatal variables associated with breastfeeding at discharge were analyzed using chi-square, Student's t-test, and multivariable logistic regression (p<0.05).
RESULTS: breastfeeding rates were higher in the pandemic period (99.3%) than in the pre-pandemic period (97.6%; p=0.031). Exclusive breastfeeding (80.2% vs. 81.6%; p=0.611) and skin-to-skin contact (56.2% vs. 58.0%; p=0.590) did not differ significantly. Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with vaginal delivery (pre-pandemic OR=3.07; 95%CI=1.83-5.13; p<0.001; pandemic OR=2.29; 95%CI=1.39-3.77; p=0.001), weight loss <10% (p<0.001), and absence of phototherapy in the pre-pandemic period (OR=3.38; 95%CI=1.96-7.12; p<0.001). No associations were found with maternal age, parity, sex, or gestational age.
CONCLUSIONS: exclusive breastfeeding rates were not negatively affected by pandemic restrictions. Maintaining Baby-Friendly practices preserved essential breastfeeding support.

Palavras-chave: Breastfeeding, COVID-19 pandemic, Newborn

OBJETIVOS: proceder a adaptação transcultural da escala The Postpartum Childcare Stress Checklist para ser utilizada no Brasil.
MÉTODOS: o processo de adaptação transcultural seguiu diretrizes definidas internacionalmente: dupla tradução, síntese e retrotradução, análise por comitê de especialistas, proposta de uma versão pré-final e pré-teste, avaliação das propriedades psicométricas e geração da versão final. A confiabilidade e validade da versão final foram analisadas por meio de estudo epidemiológico transversal envolvendo 190 mulheres em período pós-parto. Foram estimados o indicador α-Cronbach para análise da confiabilidade e análise fatorial exploratória com extração de componentes principais para análise da validade.
RESULTADOS: o indicador α-Cronbach foi de 0,894. A versão brasileira testada mostrou-se unidimensional e a análise fatorial apontou quatro fatores distribuídos de maneira muito próxima e que explicaram 57,8% da variância. Todos os itens do instrumento original foram mantidos na versão final proposta.
CONCLUSÃO: a versão brasileira proposta mostrou-se válida e confiável para aplicação em populações brasileiras.

Palavras-chave: Saúde materno-infantil, Depressão pós-parto, Escalas, Questionários

OBJETIVOS: evaluar la satisfacción de las pacientes con la atención prenatal mixta durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en un hospital terciario de Lima, Perú.
MÉTODOS: realizamos una evaluación transversal de la satisfacción en pacientes que recibieron atención prenatal mixta, que incluyó consultas presenciales y virtuales. Se incluyeron todas las mujeres que dieron su consentimiento por escrito entre junio y julio de 2021. Se aplico la escala Short Assessment of Patient Satisfaction (SAPS), que evaluó siete dimensiones de satisfacción: acceso e instalaciones, efectividad, información, habilidades técnicas, participación. relación y satisfacción general.
RESULTADOS: la satisfacción global con la atención prenatal mixta fue de 3,28±0,71. La puntuación media del SAPS fue 33,88 (DE = 5,56). En total, 144 pacientes (65%) prefirieron la atención prenatal mixta. La edad materna promedio de las 221 gestantes incluidas fue de 30 años y la edad gestacional promedio en la primera consulta fue de 24 semanas. En total, el 88,2% de los pacientes realizaron hasta 6 consultas entre virtuales y presenciales. Los pacientes sin seguro de salud tuvieron menores índices de satisfacción en comparación con las mujeres embarazadas con seguro de salud público (p=0,026).
CONCLUSIONES: Las mujeres que recibieron atención prenatal mixta durante la pandemia de COVID-19 reportaron un alto nivel de satisfacción. En general, las mujeres embarazadas recomendarían atención prenatal mixta.

Palavras-chave: Atención prenatal, Satisfacción del paciente, Telemedicina, Pandemia de COVID-19