Do Obstetrical Providers, Counsel Women About Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Urogynecology
• Pelvic Floor Health

Background:

• Postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction is a common complication affecting women's health.
• Integrated urogynecology services aim to improve patient care for these conditions.
• Prenatal counseling is a critical opportunity to educate patients on risks and prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the current prenatal counseling practices of obstetrics providers regarding postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction.
• To identify barriers to effective prenatal counseling in centers with integrated urogynecology services.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was distributed to obstetrics providers via urogynecology colleagues.
• The survey assessed provider training and counseling habits concerning postpartum pelvic floor symptoms.
• Statistical analysis included two-sided tests with significance at p < 0.05.

Main Results:

• Of 173 respondents, 56.3% never discussed postpartum urinary incontinence and 73.7% never discussed fecal incontinence prenatally.
• Obstetrics and gynecology residents counseled less frequently on pelvic floor dysfunction than attending physicians.
• Lack of time (39.9%) and insufficient information (30.1%) were primary reasons for not providing counseling.

Conclusions:

• Prenatal counseling on pelvic floor dysfunction risk is inadequate across all obstetrics training levels.
• Time constraints and lack of information are significant obstacles for providers.
• Improved provider education and resources are needed to enhance prenatal counseling on pelvic floor health.