SOS Gravida (Pregnancy Helpline)

The SOS Grávida service, a project by Ajuda de Mãe, provides psychological, social, and institutional support to pregnant women and mothers. The 2025 data reveals a significant shift in service engagement and a clear profile of the population seeking assistance.

Service Trends and Engagement

•  Decreasing Contacts: The number of total contacts reached a peak of 2,243 in 2021 but has steadily declined to 757 in 2025.

•  Shift in Focus: There has been a sharp 45% decrease in contacts between 2024 and 2025. Institutional support now carries more weight relative to other areas, largely because health-related inquiries are now primarily handled by the mandatory SNS 24 line.

•  Consultations: In 2025, the service performed 476 first consultations and 3,192 continuity appointments across direct care and psychology.

   

Profile of Beneficiaries

•  Demographics: The average age of those seeking help is 28.2 years. Most are single (44%) or married (32%).

•  Origin and Residency: While 71.6% reside in the Lisbon district, the population is highly diverse. Primary countries of origin include Guinea-Bissau (19.6%), São Tomé and Príncipe (17.5%), Angola (14.7%), and Portugal (13.3%).

•  Socio-Economic Status: 43.8% come from single-parent households. Occupationally, 34.5% have been unemployed for up to a year, and 26% report having no occupation.

•  Education: The most common level of education is secondary education (43.1%).

   

Material and Social Support

The service remains a critical source of essential goods:

•  Layettes: 448 distributed.

•  Food Support: 384 food baskets and 563 fresh baskets were provided.

•  Hygiene: 1,093 families received support for baby hygiene products.

• SOS_Grvida.pdf (PDF)