Wilson I. B. Onuigbo*

ABSTRACT

Gestosis, a dire disease associated with pregnancy, is estimated to kill one woman every 30 seconds worldwide. Coincidentally, during the 1980/81 period, researchers based in Europe, Africa, and America reported independently that such deaths are probably related to what they variously described as “new father,” “new partner,” or “different consort.” In sum, oddity in paternity is an etiologic factor in this piteous paternity problem. If so, a working hypothesis is that confidential communication concerning coitus should be so widened as to include allied health care professionals. If these workers cooperate with obstetricians not only to verify paternity changes in their individual practices but also to disseminate among women the above information on coital partnering, it is forecast that behavioral change would occur and engender a significant reduction in the high maternal mortality rates attributable to this disease throughout the world. Key words: Gestosis, mortality, paternity advice, normal births