Which women do pelvic floor muscle exercises six months' postpartum?

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Women's Health
• Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Background:

• Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is crucial for postpartum recovery.
• Understanding factors influencing PFMT adherence is essential for effective intervention.
• The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study provides a large dataset for this investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the association between pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and demographic/health factors in the postpartum period.
• To identify factors that encourage or discourage PFMT participation.
• To inform strategies for enhancing postpartum PFMT adherence.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 17,744 women in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study.
• Logistic regression analyses were employed to determine associations.
• Results presented as crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Main Results:

• Higher education, increased number of children, and general fitness participation were linked to regular PFMT.
• Postpartum urinary leakage (aOR=1.26, 95% CI 1.18-1.35) and pelvic girdle pain (aOR=1.31, 95% CI 1.23-1.39) increased PFMT likelihood.
• Daily smoking (aOR=0.81, 95% CI 0.72-0.91) and cesarean delivery (aOR=0.56, 95% CI 0.51-0.61) were associated with lower PFMT participation.

Conclusions:

• Significant demographic and health factors influence postpartum pelvic floor muscle training.
• Targeted strategies are needed to promote PFMT, especially for women who smoke or have had cesarean deliveries.
• Further research is required to develop effective interventions for enhancing postpartum PFMT.