Pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence postpartum

Application of pelvic floor ultrasound during pregnancy to detect patients at risk of cesarean section due to failure of labor progression in a Spanish population

OBJECTIVE

Our study is aimed at evaluating the characteristics of the pelvic floor, assessed through transperineal ultrasound, since it may influence or increase the possibility of having a cesarean delivery, with the objective of acting on those variables that can be modified during pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

Transperineal ultrasound was performed on 109 primiparous pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy, recruited between May 2018 and February 2019, with the purpose of studying the hiatus area at rest, retention and Valsalva. We have reassessed them at the end of pregnancy and delivery data were recorded. We selected 8 patients as case-study, who had cesarean section delivery due to failure of labor progression. We selected 4 control-cases for each, reaching the total of 32 controls, with similar age and body mass index, to avoid obtaining a biased result from these data.

RESULTS

In the study of hiatal areas, patients who delivered by cesarean section had a smaller hiatal area at rest, during levator ani muscle contraction and during Valsalva maneuver, at all visits. In early pregnancy, the range of the resting hiatal area was 13.8 ± 2.0 cm² for cesarean sections, compared to 16.2 ± 2.7 cm² for vaginal deliveries with an OR of 0.57 (0.34-0.95, 95% CI). For hiatal area on Valsalva, the OR was 0.55 (0.35-0.88, 95% CI). Therefore, the smaller the hiatal area, the greater the possibility of cesarean section. At the end of pregnancy, between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation, the OR of hiatal area on Valsalva was 0.78 (0.60-1.00, 95% CI).

CONCLUSION

The hiatus area measured by transperineal ultrasonography at the beginning and at the end of the pregnancy may be useful to identify the patients who are at a higher risk of cesarean delivery due to failure of labor progression.

Pelvic floor muscle training program for women in the puerperal period: clinical progress after intervention

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the sexual function of women in the puerperal period after a postpartum pelvic floor musculature training program. We also sought to evaluate correlations between sexual dysfunction in the women and their delivery type and compare the frequency of sexual dysfunction and the quality of resumed sexual function following vaginal and cesarean deliveries.

METHODS

This clinical study included an intervention, carried out between July and December 2019, in which data were collected about 28 rooming-in women at a Maternity School. Data were divided into vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery. Sexual function was evaluated by the Female Sexual Function Index and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form to assess the Incontinence Urinary and qualifies urinary loss. The intervention consisted of a muscle training exercise program. ANOVA tests were used to establish differences between groups.

RESULTS

There was an improvement in all outcomes, but there was no time versus group interaction. Improvement in sexual function was observed (p<0.001), the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life (p<0.001), and pressure of the muscles of pelvic floor muscles (p<0.001) over time. There was no time versus group interaction for sexual function (p=0.87), the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life (p=0.88), and pressure of the pelvic floor muscles (p=0.66).

CONCLUSIONS

Pelvic floor muscle exercise programs seem to be a very promising strategy concerning improving sexual activity among puerperal patients.

Physiotherapy according to the BeBo Concept as prophylaxis and treatment of urinary incontinence in women after natural childbirth

Pelvic floor muscle dysfunctions can lead to urinary incontinence, a condition which often affects women both during pregnancy and after childbirth. As a result of this, certain exercises are recommended during and after pregnancy to prevent and treat this incontinence, and the BeBo Concept is one of these methods used to prevent pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a 6-week course of physical therapy according to the BeBo Concept on the improvement of perineal muscle strength and endurance as well as urinary continence in women after their first vaginal delivery. The study was conducted on a group of 56 women who were randomly assigned to the exercise (n = 30) or control (n = 26) group. The exercising group participated in a 6-week physical therapy program according to the BeBo Concept. Pelvic floor muscles were assessed using the perineometer and palpation Perfect Test. UDI6 and ICIQ-SF questionnaires were used to obtain information about the symptoms of urinary incontinence, evaluate the frequency, severity and impact of urine leakage on the quality of life. In all women after natural childbirth, regardless of treatment, it was observed that measured parameters improved, but the improvement was slightly more explicit in those who participated in the Bebo Concept exercise group (e.g. ICIQ-SF exercise group p = 0.001, control group p = 0.035). Due to its positive impact on the pelvic floor, this exercise program should be recommended to women after natural childbirth.

Non-pharmacological interventions for treating sexual dysfunction in postpartum women: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Sexual dysfunction in the postpartum period is a very common and relevant clinical problem, which has a significant adverse impact on the health of women. We aim to analyse the efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological interventions for treating sexual dysfunction in postpartum women. Our review aims to provide accurate data for effective policy-making and improve our understanding of the treatment of postpartum sexual dysfunction with non-pharmacological therapies.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in The Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, Medline/PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), LILACS (Literatura Latino-americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde) and Embase will be used to search for articles dated from database inception to July 2019. Randomised controlled clinical trials and large prospective cohorts with control groups using non-pharmacological treatments for sexual dysfunction in postpartum women will be included. Sexual problems are directly linked to sexual dysfunction; thus, the primary outcome will be the absolute number or percentage of sexual issues in each treatment group. The secondary outcomes will be assessed by decreased sexual problems, such as lack of lubrication, decreased libido and difficulty reaching orgasm. Three reviewers will independently select trials and extract data from the original publications. The citations will be screened independently by reviewers in duplicate. The risk of bias of the included studies will be assessed according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Data synthesis will be performed using Review Manager (RevMan) software V.5.2.3. In the event that a meta-analysis is possible, we will assess the heterogeneity across the studies by computing the I² statistic.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

As the design of this study includes a review of published data, the need to obtain ethical approval was waived by our institutional review committee. We intend to publish the findings of this systematic review in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018103077.

The postpartum triathlete

The postpartum period in a woman's life is filled with numerous changes, including physical changes, changes in sleep habits, and learning how to best care for a newborn. A common goal among postpartum women is to either begin or resume an active lifestyle, which often includes physical activity such as running, biking and swimming. The postpartum athlete may discover barriers that prevent her from returning to or beginning an exercise routine. These obstacles include muscle weakness, fatigue, depression and physical changes that require exercise modification. The physical therapist is well-suited to properly assess, treat and manage the care of the postpartum athlete. Postpartum athletes wishing to begin or resume training for triathlons require special consideration, as the triathlete must balance training to compete in three different sports. The purpose of the paper is to identify the unique physical and physiological changes that occur to the female during the postpartum period. In addition, injuries that are more commonly seen during the postpartum period will be discussed. Recommendations for beginning or resuming an exercise program will be reviewed. Lastly, sport-specific training for the postpartum triathlete, including challenges presented with each triathlon component, will be discussed.