Chronic renal failure and pregnancy: hopes and possibilities

Abstract

The objective of this study is to get to know the meaning of pregnancy and maternity for women at a fertile age with or without children, with a diagnostic of chronic renal failure undergoing dialysis therapy. The approach used was qualitative, based on a dialectic methodology, which is a descriptive exploratory research. Individual interviews were used with a semi-structured outline. After identifying women aged 12-49,women were chosen at random, including 6 groups of dialysis and 19 interviews were held with women who were in dialysis therapy at the Nephrology Institute in the North of the State of Minas Gerais. Interviews were then processed by discourse analysis, showing 4 categories:The meaning of maternity; Mother one way or another; Children - the great challenge - and What now? As a result of the research, we found a conflict between the dream of pregnancy and the awareness of its risks; the choice, for many of the women, for maternity without the risks of pregnancy; the hope for some to be "healed" and to realize the dream of pregnancy and maternity. Some of these women, however, have a hope for healing from the disease, which would make it possible to realize the desire to be a mother or, even, to be able to share more closely in the development of their children. It is concluded that chronic renal failure represents an obstacle in the desire of women to become pregnant, since they are aware of the risk that pregnancy can be both to them and to the child. It is recommended that, in caring for women with chronic renal failure, and submitted to dialysis therapy, there should be medical, social and psychological monitoring to provide guidance to the women and their partners.