Alarming symptoms forcing mature pregnant women to visist gynaecologist – preliminary report

Background: In recent decades, a significant increase in the number of women opting for late motherhood has been observed, which has been an intriguing phenomenon for researchers for a long time.

The aim of this study was to determine which of the distressing symptoms that occur during pregnancy, has forced mature pregnant women to consult a gynecologist. Materials and methods. We studied 30 women which were patients of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncological Gynecology, Dr. J. Biziel Clinical Hospital No. 2 in Bydgoszcz. The average age of patients was 38.2 years. The research tool was a questionnaire.

Results: The bleeding would force all women (100%) to visit the doctor. In turn, the lower abdominal pain is a symptom, which would be a reason to visit a specialist for a little over 60% of the study group. Complaints such as the edemas which do not vanish after a night rest is a cause of concern only for 40% of respondents, just as emesis. Most women would not visit a doctor if they felt a severe headache or myalgia (nearly 10%).

Conclusions:

1. Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is a necessity for medical consultation.

2. Other symptoms such as vomiting, vaginal discharge, headache, abdominal pain, although they may indicate serious complications, are often underestimated.

3. Symptoms indicative of preeclampsia would be the reason for visiting a doctor for less than half of the women.

4. Prevention of complications, among older pregnant women, should be based on the learning of self-observation directed for symptoms suggesting these pathologies.