The positive outcomes of pelvic floor muscle exercise during pregnancy in relation to postpartum urinary incontinence
Komposch, Hannah (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202503275104
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202503275104
Tiivistelmä
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle exercise during pregnancy as a preventive and therapeutic intervention for postpartum urinary incontinence. The research was conducted through a systematic literature review that critically analysed existing empirical evidence on prenatal pelvic floor muscle exercise interventions and their impact on postnatal urinary continence outcomes.
Results demonstrated that structured pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy significantly reduced the risk of postpartum urinary incontinence by up to 50%, with measurable preventive effects detectable approximately six weeks after delivery. The analysis revealed that supervised training protocols yielded superior outcomes compared to self-directed exercise regimens, regardless of whether supervision occurred in a group or individual setting. Moreover, findings indicated differential effectiveness among various patient populations, with previously unaffected women showing stronger preventive benefits compared to those with pre-existing incontinence symptoms, who primarily experienced symptom relief rather than complete resolution.
The research concluded that pelvic floor muscle exercise training represents a cost-effective and efficacious conservative intervention for urinary incontinence in the perinatal context. However, despite the promising outcomes, significant research gaps were identified, particularly regarding standardised training protocols and long-term effectiveness. The thesis underscores the need for enhanced patient education, systematic integration of pelvic floor health assessments into routine parental care, and individualised physiotherapeutic guidance to ensure proper exercise execution. While pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy cannot entirely eliminate the risk of incontinence, it can significantly reduce the symptom occurrence and severity, supporting its recommendation as a standard component of parental care.
Results demonstrated that structured pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy significantly reduced the risk of postpartum urinary incontinence by up to 50%, with measurable preventive effects detectable approximately six weeks after delivery. The analysis revealed that supervised training protocols yielded superior outcomes compared to self-directed exercise regimens, regardless of whether supervision occurred in a group or individual setting. Moreover, findings indicated differential effectiveness among various patient populations, with previously unaffected women showing stronger preventive benefits compared to those with pre-existing incontinence symptoms, who primarily experienced symptom relief rather than complete resolution.
The research concluded that pelvic floor muscle exercise training represents a cost-effective and efficacious conservative intervention for urinary incontinence in the perinatal context. However, despite the promising outcomes, significant research gaps were identified, particularly regarding standardised training protocols and long-term effectiveness. The thesis underscores the need for enhanced patient education, systematic integration of pelvic floor health assessments into routine parental care, and individualised physiotherapeutic guidance to ensure proper exercise execution. While pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy cannot entirely eliminate the risk of incontinence, it can significantly reduce the symptom occurrence and severity, supporting its recommendation as a standard component of parental care.