B M Audu1, S K Mustapha. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College Of Medical Sciences, University Of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital Maiduguri, Borno State. bmak190@yahoo.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms among healthy pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. METHODS: Questionnaires were randomly administered to consecutive antenatal clinic attendees until the sample size was reached. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy pregnant women were interviewed. Heart burns, easy fullness and nausea were the commonest gastrointestinal symptoms in 45%, 40.2% and 39.9% of cases respectively. Primigravidae had significantly more symptoms than multiparae. There were also significantly more gastrointestinal symptoms in the first trimester of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal symptoms are common among healthy pregnant women. And even though these represent well-known physiological changes, they must be carefully assessed to exclude any pathological disorder that may require intervention.
OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms among healthy pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. METHODS: Questionnaires were randomly administered to consecutive antenatal clinic attendees until the sample size was reached. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy pregnant women were interviewed. Heart burns, easy fullness and nausea were the commonest gastrointestinal symptoms in 45%, 40.2% and 39.9% of cases respectively. Primigravidae had significantly more symptoms than multiparae. There were also significantly more gastrointestinal symptoms in the first trimester of pregnancy. CONCLUSION:Gastrointestinal symptoms are common among healthy pregnant women. And even though these represent well-known physiological changes, they must be carefully assessed to exclude any pathological disorder that may require intervention.