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Preventing Urinary Incontinence With Supervised Prenatal Pelvic Floor Exercises: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Xavier Fritel1, Renaud de Tayrac, Georges Bader
1Université de Poitiers, INSERM CIC1402, CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France; INSERM U1018, INED, and Université ParisSud-11, CHU Bicêtre APHP, Kremlin-Bicêtre, Université de Montpellier-1, CHU Carémeau, Nîmes, Hôpital intercommunal de Poissy-Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Poissy, Centre Hospitalier d'Arcachon, Arcachon, Université de la Réunion, CHU de Saint-Denis, Saint-Denis-de-la-Réunion, Université ParisSud-11, CHU Antoine-Béclère APHP, Clamart, Montreuil, and Université Versailles-St-Quentin, Research Unit EA 7285, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France.
Prenatal supervised pelvic floor muscle training showed no significant benefit over written instructions for reducing postpartum urinary incontinence (UI) in nulliparous women. Both methods resulted in similar UI severity and prevalence at 12 months postpartum.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pelvic Health
- Women's Health
Background:
- Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common postpartum complication affecting women's quality of life.
- Prenatal interventions are explored to mitigate the risk and severity of postpartum UI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of supervised prenatal pelvic floor muscle training versus written instructions in managing postpartum urinary incontinence among nulliparous women.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 282 nulliparous pregnant women.
- Participants were randomized to receive either individually supervised pelvic floor muscle training or written instructions during the second trimester.
- Urinary incontinence severity and prevalence were assessed at baseline, end of pregnancy, and 2 and 12 months postpartum using validated questionnaires.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in UI severity, prevalence, or pelvic floor issues were observed between the supervised training group and the written instructions group at any assessment point.
- At 12 months postpartum, mean UI severity was 1.9 in the training group versus 2.1 in the control group (P=.38).
Conclusions:
- Prenatal supervised pelvic floor muscle training is not superior to simple written instructions for reducing postnatal urinary incontinence.
- Both interventions appear to yield similar outcomes regarding UI severity and prevalence at 12 months postpartum.
