Evaluation of the Effect of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise During Pregnancy on Sexual Function, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Birth Process

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of pelvic floor muscle exercises during pregnancy on sexual function, lower urinary tract symptoms and birth process. The research was conducted with pregnant women who applied to the Pregnancy Outpatient Clinic of Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine Hospital. Power analysis was performed to determine the number of samples to be included in the study. It was determined that 29 pregnant women should be included in each group (experimental and control). Considering the possibility of data loss, 50 pregnant women were included in each group. As a result of the exclusion of 8 women who withdrew from participating in the study, 5 women due to risky pregnancies (bleeding, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes) and 17 women due to cesarean delivery, the data of 35 pregnant women in the experimental group and 35 pregnant women in the control group were obtained. Pregnant women in the experimental group were gestational aged 18-20. Two sessions of training were given on female reproductive and urinary system anatomy, physiological changes during pregnancy and their effects on sexual life, and pelvic floor muscle exercises, using the "Pelvic Floor Health & Sexual Life Training Booklet during Pregnancy" and the pelvic floor muscle exercise training video developed by the researcher between the weeks of pregnancy. Pregnant women were asked to perform pelvic floor muscle exercises, 3 sets a day, 3 days a week, for 12 weeks, starting from the 20th week of pregnancy, and record them in the Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise Follow-up Form created by the researcher. Pregnant women in the control group were not given any training and were routinely monitored in the outpatient clinic. Pregnant women who apply to the outpatient clinic are examined by nurses, with their vital signs taken and anamnesis taken by the physician. Recommendations are made regarding the complaints of pregnant women. Non-stress tests are routinely applied to pregnant women who are at the 36th week of pregnancy and above.