ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE EXERCISES APPLIED DURING PREGNANCY IN POSTPARTUM STRESS INCONTINENCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Aim: It is aimed to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises during pregnancy on pelvic floor muscle strength, stress incontinence and quality of life in postpartum period. Methods: The study was conducted October 2014 - May 2016 in Ege University Hospital (n=32; 14 control and 18 intervention groups). Data were collected using electromyography biofeedback, perineometer, and Modified Oxford Scale, Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7. In the data analyzed using the SPSS 16.0 package program; number, percentage, Independent T Test, Mann Whitney U Test, Wilcoxon Ordered Signs Test, and Chi-Square Test were performed. Results: During the period from pregnancy to postpartum eighth week, changes in pelvic floor muscle strength; according to the Modified Oxford Scale, women in the intervention group increased by 0.11 degrees, women in the control group decreased by 0.21, but difference wasn’t significant (U=85.5, U=64.0) (p> 0.05). In groups; when the, Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 scale mean scores were compared; in pregnancy (U=77.0) (p> 0.05) and in the postpartum (U=87.0) (p> 0.05), comparing the Impact Questionnaire-7 scale mean scores in pregnancy (U=126.0) (p> 0.05) and in the postpartum (U= 16.0) (p> 0.05) it was determined that the difference between them wasn’t significant. Conclusion: Pelvic floor muscle exercises were found to increase pelvic floor muscle strength and prevent stress incontinence, but the difference between the groups wasn’t significant. Studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up are recommended to examine the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle exercises during pregnancy and postpartum