Abstract

ROCHA, Glauco Heirison dos S. et al. Ectopic pregnancy: understandings and beliefs about its diagnosis, treatment and its impacts. Psicol. hosp. (São Paulo) [online]. 2013, vol.11, n.2, pp. 02-26. ISSN 2175-3547.

The Ectopic Pregnancy (EP) is the leading cause of maternal death in the first trimester of pregnancy, breaking with idealizations. Objectives: To characterize the EP population, assess comprehension and beliefs about the diagnosis, treatment and reproductive consequences. Methods: We interviewed 15 women after their receiving a diagnosis of EP, and who were hospitalized at the obstetrics clinic in a  public university hospital in Brazil, São Paulo. We used a semi structured interview with a previously prepared questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using the technique of content analysis. Results: The respondents were, on the average, at 5.8 weeks of gestation and 28.7 years old; 40.0 percent had received and understood the diagnosis, while 86.7 percent reported that they understood that they would be at risk if they were to become pregnant again, 66.7 percent believed that they would not find it difficult to become pregnant again. Conclusion: There is a need for greater care in the transmission of medical information, as well as psychological assistance, thus enabling the treatment of fantasies and beliefs.

Keywords : Ectopic pregnancy; Beliefs; Psychological repercussions.

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