A FAMÍLIA NA REDE DE APOIO DA GESTANTE

This is a preliminary study which focus on the family and or its members in the support of the pregnant women.There were interview 30 pregnant women who attended a prenatal clinic in a filantrophic institution in the city of Sao Paulo, in February of 1997. The institution shelters and assists poor women. The data was collected through a questinnaire which were analysed and presented as absolute and relative frequency and when appropriate were described. Their profile show that: the average age of women was 23,3; housewives (43,3%); low level of education and provinent of a family more than four members. The husband and close relatives were recognized by the women as source of support. About the support expected after the delivery the answeres of the pregnant women were very emotional, showing the need to be held and accepted in the family. Further studies with other methodology are suggested to get a deepen knowledge on the topic.