Impact of a postpartum care rehabilitation program to prevent postpartum depression at a secondary municipal hospital in Qingdao China: a cross-sectional study

Impact of postpartum exercise on pelvic floor disorders and diastasis recti abdominis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of exercise during the first year postpartum on pelvic floor disorders and diastasis recti abdominis.

DESIGN

Systematic review with random effects meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscuss, Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews (Ovid), Scopus, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched until 12 January 2024.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Studies of all designs (except case studies) and languages were included if they contained information on the Population (individuals in the first year postpartum), Intervention (subjective or objective measures of frequency, intensity, duration, volume or type of exercise alone ('exercise-only') or in combination with other intervention (eg, biofeedback; 'exercise+co-intervention')), Comparator (no exercise or different exercise measures) and Outcome (symptom severity and risk of urinary incontinence, anal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, diastasis recti abdominis and sexual function).

RESULTS

65 studies (n=21 334 participants) from 24 countries were included. 'Moderate' certainty of evidence revealed that pelvic floor muscle training reduced the odds of urinary incontinence by 37% (seven randomised controlled trials (RCTs), n=1930; OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.97, I2 72%) and pelvic organ prolapse by 56% (one RCT, n=123; OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.91) compared with control groups. 'Low' certainty of evidence showed a greater reduction in inter-rectus distance measured at rest and during a head lift following abdominal muscle training compared with no exercise. Evidence on the effect of exercise on the risk of anal incontinence and diastasis recti abdominis, as well as the severity of anal incontinence, urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and sexual function, is limited.

CONCLUSION

Evidence supports the effectiveness of postpartum pelvic floor muscle training in reducing the odds of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse and postpartum abdominal exercise training in reducing inter-rectus distance.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42022359282.

Exercise effects on maternal vascular health and blood pressure during pregnancy and postpartum: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

This systematic review aimed to assess the effects of exercise training during pregnancy and the postpartum period on maternal vascular health and blood pressure (BP).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The outcome of interest was pulse wave velocity (PWV), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and BP from pregnancy to 1-year postpartum. Five databases, including Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, were systematically searched from inception to August 2023. Studies of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of prenatal or postpartum exercise to a non-exercise control group were included. The risk of bias and the certainty of evidence were assessed. Random-effects meta-analyses and sensitivity analyses were conducted. In total, 20 RCTs involving 1221 women were included. Exercise training, initiated from Week 8 during gestation or between 6 and 14 weeks after delivery, with the programme lasting for a minimum of 4 weeks up to 6 months, showed no significant impact on PWV and FMD. However, it resulted in a significant reduction in systolic BP (SBP) [mean difference (MD): -4.37 mmHg; 95% confidence interval (CI): -7.48 to -1.26; P = 0.006] and diastolic BP (DBP) (MD: -2.94 mmHg; 95% CI: -5.17 to -0.71; P = 0.01) with very low certainty. Subgroup analyses revealed consistent trends across different gestational stages, types of exercise, weekly exercise times, and training periods.

CONCLUSION

Exercise training during pregnancy and the postpartum period demonstrates a favourable effect on reducing maternal BP. However, further investigations with rigorous methodologies and larger sample sizes are needed to strengthen these conclusions.

Urinary incontinence increases risk of postpartum depression: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Postpartum depression is one of the most common complications after childbearing. Urinary incontinence is a frequent symptom during pregnancy and the postnatal period, often being the first time that women experience it. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the evidence on the association between urinary incontinence and postpartum depression and to assess whether this association becomes weaker at 6 months after childbirth.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and PsycINFO were searched from inception to December 26, 2023.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Cross-sectional and cohort studies addressing the association between urinary incontinence and postpartum depression were included.

METHODS

Pooled odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals, and 95% prediction intervals were estimated using a DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model for the association between urinary incontinence and postpartum depression. Subgroup analyses were conducted on the basis of time after delivery (<6 or ≥6 months). The risk of bias was assessed with the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort Studies.

RESULTS

Eleven published studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Overall, the odds ratio for the association between urinary incontinence and postpartum depression was 1.45 (95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.79; 95% prediction interval, 0.49-2.40; I2=65.9%; P=.001). For the 7 cohort studies, the odds ratio was 1.63 (95% confidence interval, 1.35-1.91; 95% prediction interval, 1.14-2.13; I2=11.1%; P=.345). For the 4 cross-sectional studies, the odds ratio was 1.05 (95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.05; 95% prediction interval, 1.04-1.06; I2=0.0%; P=.413). According to the time after delivery, the odds ratio estimates for cohort studies with a postpartum period <6 months were 1.44 (95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.81; prediction interval, 0.63-2.25; I2=0.0%; P=.603) and 1.53 (95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.89; prediction interval, 0.41-2.65; I2=50.7%; P=.087) for those with a postpartum period ≥6 months.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that urinary incontinence may be a potential predictor of postpartum depression. Thus, it is important that health care professionals offer support and treatment options to women who experience these conditions.

Analysis of the correlation between general postpartum well-being and depression in primiparas: A cross-sectional study

To investigate the status quo and influencing factors of general postpartum well-being in primiparas, analyze its correlation with postpartum depression, and provide a theoretical foundation for enhancing the postpartum well-being of primiparas. From the start of November 2021 to the end of December 2021, the General Information Questionnaire, General Well-Being Scale, and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale were used to survey primiparas in a tertiary hospital, and the correlation between general well-being and postpartum depression was analyzed. We surveyed a total of 225 primiparas. The average score for general well-being in primiparas was 77.84 ± 6.83, and the total score for postpartum depression was 9.11 ± 2.51. Confinement location, planned pregnancy, pregnancy complications, neonatal sex, medical expenses, etc, had statistically significant effects on the general well-being scores (P < .05), whereas per capita monthly income, pregnancy complications, maternal and infant care skills, and medical expenses had statistically significant effects on postpartum depression scores (P < .05). Postpartum depression scores were negatively correlated with general well-being, health anxiety, energy, sad or happy mood, relaxation, and tension. There is a negative correlation between the general well-being of primiparas and postpartum depression, suggesting that in clinical care, the focus should be on primiparas with pregnancy complications, and psychological counseling should be provided in advance to prevent postpartum depression and the resulting decrease in well-being.

Associations of pelvic floor dysfunction and postnatal mental health: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Postpartum mental health conditions are common and can have devastating effects for both mother and infant. Adverse birth outcomes increase the risk of postnatal mental health conditions. Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a common adverse pregnancy outcome that may be a risk factor for postnatal mental health conditions. There are many studies reporting associations between PFD and postnatal mental health conditions, but no reports have synthesised the current literature as it relates to pregnancy and the postpartum period.

METHODS

A research librarian conducted systematic literature searches using terms concerning PFD, postnatal mental health conditions, and pregnancy. Searches were conducted within PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Scopus. Two reviewers independently rated each study for inclusion and study quality. No studies were excluded based on quality.

RESULTS

A total of 47 studies were included for review. Articles addressed sexual dysfunction (n = 11), incontinence (n = 21), perineal laceration (n = 13), pelvic organ prolapse (n = 2), and general pelvic floor symptoms (n = 2) and associations with postnatal mental health conditions. Two articles addressed more than one type of PFD. The majority (44 studies) reported associations between PFD and adverse postnatal mental health conditions.

DISCUSSION

Most studies included for review found consistent associations between PFD and adverse mental health conditions. Healthcare providers should screen for PFD and postnatal mental health conditions early in the postpartum period. Future research should investigate whether the treatment of PFD can modify the associations between PFD and postnatal mental health conditions.

Is Diastasis Recti Abdominis Rehabilitation after Childbirth Able to Prevent the Onset of Stress Urinary Incontinence? A Case-Control Study

Background and Objectives: Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) represent the first-line approach to pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFDs). Recently, studies have shown a synergy between the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, hypothesizing that the anatomical and functional integrity of the abdominal wall plays a role in the prevention of pelvic floor disorders. Some studies have shown a significant correlation between diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Nevertheless, the evidence reported in the literature is controversial and based on low-quality data. The aim of the study is to clarify whether DRA-specific abdominal rehabilitation is needed in women with SUI after childbirth. Materials and Methods: All consecutive women who had at least one delivery and complained of symptoms of pure SUI that were urodynamically proven were considered for the study. The group of symptomatic patients was compared with a series of consecutive women, identified during the same study period, without any symptoms of SUI. In both groups, we measured the inter-rectal distance (IRD) with an ultrasound scanner above and below the navel. Results: A total of 102 women eligible for the study group and 100 women who did not report any symptoms of SUI were enrolled. The inter-rectal distance above the umbilicus showed no significant difference between the two groups (2.12 ± 0.98 vs. 2.1 ± 0.77; p = 0.94). In contrast, the data from the sub-umbilical measurements showed a significant difference. Surprisingly, the asymptomatic group showed significantly greater (0.98 ± 0.9 vs. 1.33 ± 0.87 p-value: 0.009) IRD compared to the symptomatic group. Conclusions: The study shows that DRA is not a risk factor for SUI in women after childbirth. Therefore, specific abdominal wall rehabilitation after childbirth does not seem to be indicated.