RESEARCH PAPER
Prevention of urinary incontinence and diastasis recti – state of knowledge and behaviour of pregnant women
1
Zakład Biomechaniki i Kinezjologii, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu, Uniwersytet Jagielloński – Collegium Medicum, Polska
Corresponding author
Agnieszka Mazur-Biały
Zakład Biomechaniki i Kinezjologii, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu, Uniwersytet Jagielloński – Collegium Medicum, Polska
Zakład Biomechaniki i Kinezjologii, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu, Uniwersytet Jagielloński – Collegium Medicum, Polska
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
Pregnancy and postpartum increase the risk of urinary incontinence (UI) and diastasis recti abdominis (DRA). The aim of our study was to analyze the knowledge and health behaviours of pregnant women regarding the occurrence of UI and DRA
Material and methods:
The study included 569 patients within 0–6 days postpartum, comprising 298 primiparas and 271 multiparas. Knowledge and health status were assessed using a questionnaire, while the occurrence of DRA was evaluated through palpation.
Results:
52.9% of women practiced pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training during pregnancy, with only 60% performing it correctly, and 48.9% reporting a lack of knowledge. Perineal massage during pregnancy was performed by 41.2% of the participants. Nearly one-third of patients reported UI during pregnancy. This was reported to a doctor by only one-fourth of patients, and 27.9% of those cases were referred for physiotherapy. Over 82% of the women maintained an active lifestyle during pregnancy, primarily engaging in walking (70%) and general exercise (33%). Lack of activity among pregnant women was mainly due to lack of medical approval or discomfort. DRA was diagnosed in 20.3% of women during pregnancy, increasing to 51.8% in early postpartum
Conclusions:
Women‘s knowledge regarding PFM training, DRA and UI prevention, and the use of physiotherapy is insufficient. PFM training during pregnancy is often performed incorrectly. The majority of pregnant women are physically active, with activity decisions largely influenced by medical advice or discomfort.
Pregnancy and postpartum increase the risk of urinary incontinence (UI) and diastasis recti abdominis (DRA). The aim of our study was to analyze the knowledge and health behaviours of pregnant women regarding the occurrence of UI and DRA
Material and methods:
The study included 569 patients within 0–6 days postpartum, comprising 298 primiparas and 271 multiparas. Knowledge and health status were assessed using a questionnaire, while the occurrence of DRA was evaluated through palpation.
Results:
52.9% of women practiced pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training during pregnancy, with only 60% performing it correctly, and 48.9% reporting a lack of knowledge. Perineal massage during pregnancy was performed by 41.2% of the participants. Nearly one-third of patients reported UI during pregnancy. This was reported to a doctor by only one-fourth of patients, and 27.9% of those cases were referred for physiotherapy. Over 82% of the women maintained an active lifestyle during pregnancy, primarily engaging in walking (70%) and general exercise (33%). Lack of activity among pregnant women was mainly due to lack of medical approval or discomfort. DRA was diagnosed in 20.3% of women during pregnancy, increasing to 51.8% in early postpartum
Conclusions:
Women‘s knowledge regarding PFM training, DRA and UI prevention, and the use of physiotherapy is insufficient. PFM training during pregnancy is often performed incorrectly. The majority of pregnant women are physically active, with activity decisions largely influenced by medical advice or discomfort.
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