Strengthening the pelvic floor muscle in pregnant women in control in a family health center: An experimental study

Background: Although pelvic floor dysfunctions are more prevalent in older adult women, urinary incontinence may be present during pregnancy or postpartum, with stress incontinence (SUI) being the most common in this period. Objective: To evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle training on pregnant women attended in a family health center in Yerbas Buenas, Chile, in 2016. Material and Method: Pilot quasi-experimental study in pregnant women, aged between 20 and 40, attending a primary health care center. Pilot sample: 20 pregnant women (20 to 28 weeks). Pelvic muscle strength was assessed by Modified Oxford Scale at the beginning of the study and then after 8 weeks of exercising. Socio- and bio-demographic characteristics, morbidity and obstetric history, habits, and urinary symptoms were assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short-Form (ICIQ-SF). Results: 50% of the women presented urinary incontinence during pregnancy, with 95% of them suffering from stress incontinence. Parity, type of delivery and nutritional status did not relate to lower pelvic musculature strength. Pelvic floor muscle training significantly improved the women's pelvic muscle strength (p <0.05). Conclusions: Stress urinary incontinence was the most prevalent pelvic floor dysfunction in pregnant women. It is possible to improve pelvic muscle strength in pregnant women through pelvic floor muscle training; therefore, their inclusion into the public health system should be considered as an action to promote sexual and reproductive health, since it is a low-cost and low-complexity intervention.