Effects of pelvic floor muscle training in pregnant women

OBJECTIVE: The aim is to verify the effectiveness of the pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) program in pregnant women, by analyzing the amount of urine leakage. DESIGN: Experimental study. LOCATION: Care units in the Vila Real district, Portugal. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-three pregnant women divided into an experimental group (EG) (n = 22) and a control group (CG) (n = 21). INTERVENTIONS: Both groups were evaluated in a predelivery stage (initial) and 6 months after delivery (final). The EG was given a PFMT exercise protocol with a duration of 6 weeks, applicable in classes and at home, another PFMT protocol for 9 weeks. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The strength of the pelvic floor muscle was measured by the Oxford Grading Scale and the amount of urine was assessed with a Pad test. Quality of life was measured by the King's Health Questionnaire and self-efficacy by the Broome Pelvic Muscle Self-Efficacy Scale. RESULTS: The loss of urine, significantly reduced from 0.86 ± 0.83 to 0.50 ± 0.67 in the EG (P = .021), whereas in the CG no significant change was observed. The degree of muscle contraction increased by 4.82 ± 0.39 in EG and 3.95 ± 0.67 in CG. The quality of life observed significant improvements in both groups (P < .05). As for self-efficacy, for the EG it improved significantly – initial (P = .001), final (P = .031), and for the CG the values remained the same. CONCLUSIONS: This PFMT protocol reduced urinary incontinence in pregnant women. The program allowed significant improvement in the quantity of urinary leakage and an increase in the strength of the pelvic floor muscle.