Frequency of urinary incontinence among pregnant women: A cross-sectional survey

Background: Pregnancy is a well-known risk factor for urinary incontinence (UI), which occurs because of pregnancy-induced physiological and anatomical changes that can result in weak pelvic floor muscles. Objective: To determine the frequency of urinary incontinence among pregnant women. Methods: Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 pregnant women, aged between 18 to 45 years, following antenatal care at the Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital Islamabad between July 2021 and October 2021. Revised Urinary Incontinence Scale (RUIS) was used as outcome measure. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Results: Out of 300 the pregnant women, 64.7% had urinary incontinence and only 35.3% did not have urinary incontinence. The frequency of urinary incontinence in first, second and third trimester was 4%, 20% and 76%, respectively. In primigravida and multigravida, the frequency of urinary incontinence was 38% and 62%, respectively. Conclusion: Urinary incontinence is more common in third trimester, especially multigravida women aged between 25-31 years.