Pelvic floor exercises: A comparative study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of stress incontinence 3months after childbirth and to evaluate the effect and benefit of taught pelvic floor exercises in the prevention of stress incontinence following childbirth. The study compares women who attended antenatal parentcraft classes who were instructed on a programme of pelvic floor exercises with women who had declined the invitation to attend. Data were analysed to compare the groups and to identify independent factors for stress incontinence. The results of the analysis found a significant association between stress incontinence, mode of delivery and birth weight. There was also a highly significant association with reduced incidence of stress incontinence and daily pelvic floor exercises. Women who attended antenatal parentcraft classes and received instruction on a programme of pelvic floor exercises had benefited in the prevention of stress incontinence. This was found to be highly significant when the exercises were practised daily. There was, however, a poor uptake of the continence service designed to support and assess women with stress incontinence and this is an area that needs to be addressed.