The Effect of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training on Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Pregnant and Postpartum Women

Abstract

Background: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) seriously affects the patients’ quality of life, and its incidence is closely related to pregnancy and delivery. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is a conservative treatment of PFD. For decades, different researchers have conducted PFMT research on different female groups. However, the efficacy of PFMT for pregnant and postpartum women is controversial. Therefore, this article aimed to systematic review the efficacy of PFMT for them. This article reviewed the relationship between the occurrence and development of PFD during pregnancy and delivery, and the effect of PFMT on PFD in pregnant and postpartum women. Method: We used the keywords of “pelvic floor dysfunction” and “pelvic floor muscles training”, and focused on the study of PFMT during pregnancy and postpartum. Finally, 54 related studies were selected, including randomized controlled trials, quasi experimental trials, observational studies, longitudinal cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, and systematic reviews. Result: During pregnancy, PFMT can prevent the occurrence of PFD in late pregnancy and early postpartum, and in the early postpartum period, PFMT can improve the symptoms of PFD. PFMT has a protective effect on the pelvic floor without obvious negative effects. However, PFMT has not been popularized in pregnant and postpartum women. And its beneficial effects cannot be maintained for a long time if women cannot insist on it for a long time. Conclusion: The popularization and standard guidance of PFMT during the pregnancy and postpartum period should be strengthened vigorously in hospital. The development of a personalized PFMT program according to the individual situation of pregnant and postpartum women can improve the pelvic floor symptoms and their quality of life of women.

Keywords

• pelvic floor disorders
• pelvic floor muscles training
• pregnancy
• women