Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis
The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle exercises on urinary incontinence during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Methods
The study was carried out on 80 pregnant women (study group, 40 subjects; control group, 40 subjects).The study group was trained by the researcher on how to do the pelvic floor muscle exercises. Both groups were evaluated for pelvic floor muscle strength and urinary complaints in their 36th to 38th week of pregnancy and postpartum sixth to eighth week.
Results
The study group had a significant decrease in urinary incontinence episodes during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, and their pelvic floor muscle strength increased to a larger extent. Control group had an increase in the postpartum muscle strength and decrease in the incontinence episodes in the postpartum period.
Conclusions
Pelvic floor muscle exercises are quite effective in the augmentation of the pelvic floor muscle strength and consequently in the treatment of urinary incontinence.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Smith KM, Drutz HP (2002) The effect of pregnancy and childbirth on the lower urinary tract and pelvic floor. In: Harold PD, Senders HN, Dioment E (eds) Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive pelvic surgery. Springer, London, pp 69–78
Mørkved S, Bø K (1999) Prevalence of urinary incontinence during pregnancy and postpartum. Int Urogyn J 10:394–398
Sampselle CM, Miller JM, Mims BL, DeLancey JOL, Ashton-Miller JA, Antonakos CL (1998) Effect of pelvic muscle exercise on transient incontinence during pregnancy and after birth. Obstet Gynecol 91(3):406–412
Mørkved S, Bø K, Schei B, Salvesen KÅ (2003) Pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy to prevent urinary incontinence - a single blind randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol 101:313–319
Reilly ETC, Freeman RM, Waterfield MR, Waterfield AE, Steggles P, Pedlar F (2002) Prevention of postpartum stress incontinence in primigravidae with increased bladder neck mobility: a randomised controlled trial of antenatal pelvic floor exercises. BJOG 109:68–76
Woldringh C, van den Wijngaart M, Albers-Heitner P, Lycklama A, Nijehold AA, Lagro-Janssen T (2007) Pelvic floor muscle is not effective in women with UI in pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct Apr 18(4):383–390
Mørkved S, Bø K (1996) The effect of post natal-exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 75:382–385
Dougherty MC, Walters M (1993) Genuine Stress Incontinence: Nonsurgical treatment. In: Walters MD, Karram MM (eds) Clinical urogynecology. Mosby, St. Louis, pp 163–181
Ostergard DR, Bend AE (1996) Urogynecology and uodynamic theory and practice. William & Wilkins, London, pp 51–269
Medin K, Wallace (1992) Pelvic muscle training manual. National Association for Continence (NAFC), ISBN 91-7584-117-7
Adams C, Frahm J (1995) Sounders manuel of physical therapy practice. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 459–504
Cardozo L, Cutner A (1997) Lower urinary tract symptoms in pregnancy. Br J Urol 8(supply 19):14–23
Viktrup L, Lose G, Rollf M, Barfoet K (1993) The frequency of urological symptoms during pregnancy and delivery in primipara. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Disfunct 4:27–30
Glazener CM, Herbison GP, Wilson PD, MacArtur C, Lang Gordon D, Harry G, Grand A (2001) Conservative management of persistent postnatal urinary and faecal incontinence: randomised controlled trial. BMJ 323:593–596
Wilson PD, Herbison GP (1998) A randomized controlled trial of pelvic floor muscle exercises to treat postnatal urinary incontinence. Int Urogynecol J 9:257–264
Mørkved S, Bø K (2000) Effect of postpartum pelvic floor muscle training in prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence: a one-year follow up. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 107:1022–1028
Wilson PD, Herbison RM, Herbison GP (1996) Obstetric practice and the prevalence of urinary incontinence three months after delivery. Br J Obstet Gynecol 103:154–161
Cardozo L (1997) Urogynecology the King's approach. Pearson Professional, London, pp 417–442
Cutner A, Cardozo L, Bennes CJ (1991) Assessment of urinary symptoms in early pregnancy. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 98:1283–1286
SL S, Kerr-Wilson R, Grant Horris V (1980) The incidence of urological symptoms in normal pregnancy. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 87:897–900
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Research Fund of the University of Istanbul (project number T-126/11112002). We would like to thank to Associate Professor Halim Issever and Professor Dr. Rian Disci who are members of the School of Medicine in Istanbul University for their contributions in the statistical analyses.
Conflicts of interest
None.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Brief Summary
Pelvic floor muscle exercises are quite effective in the augmentation of the pelvic floor muscle strength and consequently in the treatment of urinary incontinence.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dinc, A., Kizilkaya Beji, N. & Yalcin, O. Effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises in the treatment of urinary incontinence during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Int Urogynecol J 20, 1223–1231 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0929-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0929-3