Pelvic Floor Muscle Training During Pregnancy – information in English
This project investigates the implementation of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and how it may improve sexual function, birth outcomes, and help prevent pelvic floor disorders after childbirth.
Invitation to Participate
- Video here –
Why is your participation important?
By taking part, you not only help yourself by potentially preventing future problems – you also contribute to important research that can improve healthcare services for future mothers. Your experience and effort can make a real difference for many women.
Want to know more?
Read more about pelvic floor training and the project here on the website. Participation is entirely voluntary – and you can withdraw your consent at any time.
I hope you will join and help us create new knowledge that can improve the health of future generations of mothers.
Warm regards,
Greta Puriene, medical doctor and PhD student
About PFMT
Definitions
The pelvic floor
The pelvic floor consists of all the tissue that supports and closes off the bottom of the body. This includes the vaginal walls, the supporting structures of the uterus, and the pelvic floor muscles.
The pelvic floor muscles
The pelvic floor muscles include the muscles within the pelvic floor, including the sphincters around the urethra and anus. During pregnancy, these muscles are under increased pressure and play an important role during childbirth and postpartum recovery.
Pelvic floor disorders
Pelvic floor disorders – such as urinary and anal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction – affect at least 25 % of all women, and the prevalence increases with age. Pregnancy and childbirth are major contributing factors, negatively affecting more than half of pregnant women.
Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT)
Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) consists of exercises, mostly known as Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Regular training can improve muscle control and reduce the risk of pelvic floor problems after childbirth. It may also improve sexual function and birth outcomes, such as shortening labor duration.
Although the benefits of PFMT – especially for urinary incontinence – are well documented in many studies and recommended in the Danish national guidelines for maternity care, it is still not implemented in clinical practice. This gap between scientific evidence and real-world practice calls for further investigation into the challenges and possible solutions for implementing PFMT.
More information
More information about the pelvic floor (in Danish): Underlivets anatomi | Kvindekrop.dk | Styr på dit underliv
More information about pelvic floor muscle training (in Danish):
About the Project
Purpose
The aim of the project is to understand, motivate, and facilitate the implementation of pelvic floor muscle training for pregnant women. The project seeks to implement PFMT in a real-world setting in a cost-effective and motivating way using an existing digital PFMT program. At the same time, it will evaluate whether the program is effective in preventing pelvic floor disorders, improving sexual function, and enhancing birth outcomes.
Method and Practical Information
The project is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 740 first-time pregnant women. You will be randomly assigned to either a training group or a control group.
If you are in the training group, you will be asked to perform pelvic floor exercises using the “Pelvic Floor Trainer” app 3-4 times per week throughout your pregnancy and after childbirth. There are no risks associated with participation. The training is safe and adapted for pregnant women. Regardless of group, you will be asked to complete questionnaires during and after pregnancy.