Postpartum pelvic floor muscle training, levator ani avulsion and levator hiatus area: a randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction and hypothesis

Vaginal delivery may lead to tearing of the levator ani (LA) muscle from its bony insertions (complete LA avulsion) and increased levator hiatus (LH) area, both risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunctions. Early active rehabilitation is standard treatment after musculo-skeletal injury. We hypothesized that pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) early postpartum would reduce the presence of LA avulsions and reduce LH area.

Methods

We carried out a planned secondary analysis from a randomized controlled study. Primiparous women (n=175) giving birth vaginally were included 6 weeks postpartum, stratified on complete LA avulsion, and thereafter randomized to PFMT or control. The training participants (n=87) attended a supervised PFMT class once a week and

SUBMITTER: Hilde G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9870957 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature