O uso de produtos de origem vegetal por mulheres em período de gestação em uma maternidade pública no Maranhão

Abstract

Medicinal plants were the first therapeutic resources used by men, their knowledge occurs throughout the history of mankind. Today still, to a large population, medicinal plants are considered a therapeutic means, safe and natural source of effective and affordable treatment. However, the supposed healing properties of plants, in many cases didn’t confirm as to its scientific validity. Within this context we conducted a case-control hospital-based in order to identify potential risks associated with indiscriminate use of medicinal plants and/or its derivatives by women of pregnancy and its consequences in public hospital maternal and child Imperatriz- Maranhão. 256 women were interviewed, where 34.76% (89) reported using some type of vegetable products for different purposes ranging from the regularization of menstruation until the simple habit of consuming it as a beverage as tea 10.94% (28) of the women with suspected or confirmed pregnancy used some substance to "get off your period", and 60.71% (17) were medicinal plants and / or herbal remedies. Among the 34 (13.29%) saying they use these products in a therapy for relief of pregnancy symptoms, 31 (91.18%) did so without professional intervention. Taken together, these observations revealed the widespread use of plant products during pregnancy and self-medication and alleged abortion. These substances are mostly toxic properties and used in such a way, is not sufficient to cause abortion, may lead to serious complications for the mother and fetus.