WOMEN’S AWARENESS OF PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE TRAINING AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN PREVENTING URINARY INCONTINENCE DURING AND AFTER CHILDBIRTH

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the awareness of women who have given birth about Kegel exercises and their effectiveness in preventing urinary incontinence during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Methods. An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted on social networks. All Lithuanian-speaking postpartum women were invited to participate in the survey. A total of 295 women participated in the study. Statistical data analysis was performed using SPSS version 29.0.2.0. Data differences were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05.

Results. Urinary incontinence during pregnancy and after childbirth occurred in 48.1% of women. Only 29.8% of women performed Kegel exercises, but their performance was not statistically significant for the prevention of urinary incontinence. 50.7% of women who did not perform Kegel exercises during pregnancy were not informed about them, and as many as 61.4% of women who performed Kegel exercises learned about them not from medical personnel, but from written sources, the internet, and acquaintances.

Conclusion. Women are insufficiently informed about Kegel exercises for the prevention of urinary incontinence. Patient education on how to effectively perform Kegel exercises and motivation to perform them are important factors in preventing urinary incontinence during pregnancy and after childbirth.