Effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises in the treatment of urinary incontinence during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

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.