Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Pelvic floor muscle training PFMT is commonly recommended during pregnancy and after birth for both preventing and treating incontinence. To assess the effects of PFMT for preventing or treating urinary and faecal incontinence in pregnant or postnatal women, and summarise the principal findings of relevant economic evaluations.
We independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias. We included 46 trials involving 10, women from 21 countries.
The PFMT programmes and control conditions varied considerably and were often poorly described. Many trials were at moderate to high risk of bias. Two participants in a study of 43 pregnant women performing PFMT for prevention of incontinence withdrew due to pelvic floor pain. No other trials reported any adverse effects of PFMT. There was insufficient information available for the late postnatal period more than six to 12 months to determine effects at this time point RR 1.
Faecal incontinence: eight trials reported FI outcomes. There was little evidence about effects on UI or FI beyond 12 months' postpartum. This review provides evidence that early, structured PFMT in early pregnancy for continent women may prevent the onset of UI in late pregnancy and postpartum.
Population approaches recruiting antenatal women regardless of continence status may have a smaller effect on UI, although the reasons for this are unclear. It is possible that the effects of PFMT might be greater with targeted rather than mixed prevention and treatment approaches, and in certain groups of women.
