The experiences of women with a history of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7213/psicolargum.44.124.AO04

Abstract

Motherhood is still part of the life project of many women, however, some situations may occur during pregnancy postponing or interrupting this purpose, such as the discovery of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), which is an abnormal and rare genetic condition of pregnancy. This qualitative, descriptive-exploratory, and cross-sectional study aimed to understand the experiences of women with a history of GTD. Eight women participated in this study, with a mean age of 36.1 years, married, minimum schooling of complete technician, with a social profile and the heterogeneous stage of the disease, who are/have been under follow-up/treatment at a Reference Center in GTD in Porto Alegre/RS. The participants answered a sociodemographic and health data questionnaire and a semi-structured interview understood from the thematic analysis. The results indicated four themes: the constellation of motherhood; the course of the disease; the emotional impacts of the disease and the repercussions of illness on relationships. It is perceived that the GTD generates emotional distress in the face of the obstacles of the plan of pregnancy, interfering in parental, marital, professional, and social relationships, and there is a need for quality care in the face of gestational loss and professional knowledge about this disease.

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Author Biographies

Luciana Suárez Grzybowski, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde Porto Alegre

Holds a degree in Psychology (1998), a Master's in Clinical Psychology (2000), and a PhD in Psychology (2007) from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). Completed a Postdoctoral fellowship (2012) in the Graduate Program in Psychology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Currently, she is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology and a permanent faculty member of the Academic Master's Program in Psychology and Health at the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA). She also teaches in the Integrated Multidisciplinary Residency in Health at ISCMPA/UFCSPA. She has experience in clinical practice, teaching, and research, focusing mainly on the following topics: parenting and family dynamics, health processes, clinical psychology, and human development.

Aléxia Victória Pereira Padilha, UFCSPA - Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde Porto Alegre

Resident psychologist with an emphasis on Emergency and Urgency at HU/UFSC - EBSERH. Graduated in Psychology from the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA). Was a scholarship recipient for the extension project "Here Comes the Baby: Talking About the Transformations of Pregnancy and the Birth of Children in the Family" (UFCSPA) in 2021. Member of the Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Women's Health League at UFCSPA, where she has held the positions of Vice President and Extension Director. She has teaching experience as a student in the Volunteer Teaching Initiation Program for Basic Internship III - Psychodiagnosis in 2022/2 and as a volunteer monitor in the course "Health Research Practice II" in the Psychology program (UFCSPA) from 2021/2 to 2022/2. Worked as a research assistant at the Family Health Study Center at UFCSPA. Areas of interest include Hospital Psychology, Psychological Assessment, and Health Psychology

Muller. K,P., UFCSPA - Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde Porto Alegre

Holds a degree in Psychology (2007). Specialization in Organizational Psychology (2009) from ESADE, Specialization in Business Management and Marketing (2011) from the Leonardo da Vinci University Center, and Specialization in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (2018) from FAIPE. Currently a Master's student in the Graduate Program in Psychology and Health at UFCSPA. She is currently a Clinical Psychologist at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, responsible for maternity care, the Center for Gestational Trophoblastic Disease, and general adult hospitalization. She also serves as a Preceptor for the Integrated Multidisciplinary Residency in Health at ISCMPA/UFCSPA, Vice Coordinator of the NDAE for the multidisciplinary residency, and Intensivism at UFCSPA. She has experience in both clinical and organizational areas.

Published

2026-03-30

How to Cite

Suárez Grzybowski, L., Pereira Padilha, A. V., & Paiva Muller, K. (2026). The experiences of women with a history of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). Psicologia Argumento, 44(124), 1398–1412. https://doi.org/10.7213/psicolargum.44.124.AO04