Effects of Pelvic Exercises on Birth and Incontinence

Selcuk University151 enrolled

Overview

The Effect of Pelvic Floor Exercises During Pregnancy on Obstetric Outcomes and Urinary Incontinence: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

The study is a randomized controlled trial. It will be conducted at Konya City Hospital between December 2025 and June 2026. A total of 151 primiparous pregnant women will be included in the study (intervention group n=75, control group n=76). The intervention group will receive a pelvic floor exercise program, while the control group will not perform any pelvic floor exercises. Data will be collected using a personal information form, a pre-labor and post-labor follow-up form, and the Michigan Incontinence Severity Index.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

151

Conditions

Maternal-Fetal Relations Birth, First Incontinence, Urinary Pelvic Floor Disorders

Interventions

Pelvic Exercise GroupOTHER

Pregnant women in the exercise group will participate in an eight-week pelvic floor exercise program. The program begins with a face-to-face group training session during a childbirth preparation class at Konya City Hospital, in groups of 15, led by a midwife. Training covers pelvic floor anatomy, correct muscle identification, Kegel exercises, breathing, relaxation techniques, and exercise demonstrations. Following the session, participants will perform exercises three times a week for eight weeks, including Kegels, breathing-coordinated contractions, pelvic floor exercises in various positions, core stabilization exercises, and integration into daily activities. Weekly video materials will support proper exercise and motivation, and participants will record their practice in an exercise diary. At the end, experiences will be evaluated, and guidance for postpartum continuation will be provided.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Registered in the hospital's prenatal school and actively participating in the 3-day training sessions, * Aged between 18 and 35 years, * Between 28 and 30 weeks of gestation, * Having a singleton and low-risk pregnancy, * Primiparous (expecting their first birth), * Voluntarily agreeing to participate by signing the written informed consent form, * Able to read, understand, and communicate in Turkish. Exclusion Criteria: * Those who have previously given birth vaginally or by cesarean section (multiparous women), * Those with multiple pregnancies, * Those who conceived through assisted reproductive techniques, * Those diagnosed with serious obstetric or medical complications during pregnancy (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, risk of preterm birth), * Those with chronic constipation or cough, * Those who are overweight or obese, * Those with chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections, * Those with a history of psychiatric diagnosis or currently receiving psychiatric treatment, * Those with a diagnosis of or treatment for urinary incontinence, * Those unable to regularly attend the education sessions or who discontinue the program,

Locations (1)

Seyhan Çankaya

Konya, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Comparison of the sociodemographic characteristics of pregnant women before the training with a survey.

Sociodemographic information of pregnant women will be collected through surveys, compared, and reported.

Time frame: 7 month

Comparison of obstetric characteristics of pregnant women before the training with a questionnaire.

Obstetric data of pregnant women will be collected through questionnaires, compared, and reported.

Time frame: 7 month

Comparison of delivery methods among pregnant women across groups.

Labor and postpartum data will be collected, compared, and reported using a follow-up form.

Time frame: 7 month

Comparison of the severity of episiotomy in pregnant women between groups.

Pregnancy and postpartum follow-up data will be collected, compared, and reported using a form.

Time frame: 7 month

Comparison of the Michigan Incontinence Severity Index for pregnant women between groups.

The Michigan Incontinence Severity Index (M-ISI) will be administered to pregnant women. The scale consists of three subscales: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and pad use/discomfort. Each subscale is scored separately. The RM-ISI ranges from 0 to 40 points (min-max), a higher score indicates more severe symptoms/discomfort for the relevant subscale.

Time frame: 7 month

Central Contacts

Seyhan Çankaya, PhD

CONTACT

05054300733 seyhane32@gmail.com

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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