Usual-Risk Pregnant Women's Health-Related Quality of Life through Pregnancy and Puerperium with Anthroposophical Prenatal Care: A Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy is a physiological event that can lead to a decrease in quality of life. Symptoms within this period lack riskless treatment options. However, the anthroposophical integrative view points out the stimulation of vital energy recuperation as a possible inducer of changes in health perception for pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to observe the health-related quality of life variation in women during pregnancy and puerperium. The evaluation was based on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36).

METHOD: This is a retrospective longitudinal study of SF-36 questionnaires administered at 3 different time points: at the first appointment, at an appointment between the 36th ± 1 week of pregnancy and at another appointment within the puerperium period.

RESULTS: Sixty-five patients completed the 3 questionnaires within the period of the study. The 8 domains of SF-36 and women's behaviors throughout the prenatal and puerperal care period were analyzed. Quality of life decreased by the third trimester, with recuperation in the puerperium. Physical components were reduced significantly, while emotional and social components did not change significantly. Scores in mental health and vitality, as well as general health status, were higher in puerperium.

CONCLUSION: Multiprofessional intervention broadened by the anthroposophical perspective fosters the health-related quality of life of women through gestation and puerperium.