Positive Health Online

Abstract

MEYER and colleagues, Urogynecology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland, sylvain.meyer@chuv.hospvd.ch, assessed the effects of pelvic floor education after vaginal delivery on pelvic floor characteristics in nulliparous women.

Background

Methodology

107 women were examined during pregnancy and at 9 weeks and 10 months after vaginal delivery. Assessment methods included: a questionnaire, clinical examination, perineosonography, urethral pressure profiles, and intravaginal and intra-anal pressure recordings during pelvic floor contraction. After the second examination, women were alternately assigned to either 12 sessions of pelvic floor exercises with biofeedback and electrostimulation (n=51) or no training (n=56). The two groups were compared at the third examination.

Results

Incidence of stress urinary incontinence decreased in significantly more women in the pelvic floor education (19%) than in the control (2%) group. Incidence of faecal incontinence (4% versus 5%) and the percentage of women who recovered predelivery pelvic floor contraction strength (41% versus 33%) were no different between treatment and control groups. There were no differences in bladder neck position and mobility, urethral functional length, maximal urethral closure pressure, pressure transmission ratio, residual area of continence at stress standing, or intravaginal or intra-anal pressures during pelvic floor contraction between groups at the third examination.

Conclusion

References

Meyer S et al. Pelvic floor education after vaginal delivery. Obstetrics and Gynecology 97 (5 Pt 1): 673-7. May 2001.