Gestational, nutritional characteristics and weight gain of women in the last trimester of pregnancy

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the gestational, nutritional and weight gain characteristics of women in the last trimester of pregnancy.

Methodology: A cross-sectional, quantitative study with a descriptive approach was carried out from October 2010 to March 2011 at the Maternity School Assis Chateaubrian (MEAC), Fortaleza/Ceará. Puerperal adults (223) were randomly selected to participate in the study. Data were collected through a semistructured interview, and the following groups of hierarchical variables were investigated: socioeconomic and demographic data, gestational and nutritional data. The univariate data were analyzed in a descriptive way using the frequencies (absolute and percentage) and the parametric measurements (mean and standard deviation).

Results: There was a general proportion of young puerperal women 114 (51.1%), aged between 19 and 24 years and the majority 117 (52.5%) were multiparous. Regarding prenatal care, almost all of the 222 women (99.6%) reported having had at least one visit. The nutritional status of mothers before pregnancy, as determined by BMI, shows that eutrophy predominated 168 (75.3%).

Conclusions: Efficient monitoring of weight gain during gestation and nutritional care may prevent possible excess or weight deficit at the end of gestation.