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The Effect of Pelvic Floor Exercises During Pregnancy on Obstetric Outcomes and Urinary Incontinence: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Led by Selcuk University · Updated on 2025-12-15
151
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
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AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to evaluate the effects of pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy on birth outcomes and urinary incontinence. It is a prospective randomized controlled trial including primiparous pregnant women aged 18 to 35 with singleton, low-risk pregnancies. The study will compare an exercise program group with a control group to assess differences in delivery methods, episiotomy severity, and urinary incontinence severity using the Michigan Incontinence Severity Index. Participants in the exercise group will attend an eight-week pelvic floor exercise program starting with a face-to-face group training led by a midwife. The training covers pelvic floor anatomy, muscle identification, Kegel exercises, breathing, relaxation, and exercise demonstrations. Following this, participants will perform exercises three times a week, supported by weekly video materials and an exercise diary. The control group will not perform pelvic floor exercises. Throughout the study, data will be collected via personal information forms and follow-up questionnaires before and after labor. Researchers will compare sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, delivery methods, and urinary incontinence severity between groups. The study will be conducted between December 2025 and June 2026, with final assessments at seven months. Participants will record their exercise adherence, and experiences will be evaluated at the end, including guidance for postpartum continuation.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effects of Pelvic Exercises on Birth and Incontinence
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- 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
You will not qualify if you...
- Previously given birth vaginally or by cesarean section (multiparous women)
- Multiple pregnancies
- Conceived through assisted reproductive techniques
- Diagnosed with serious obstetric or medical complications during pregnancy (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, risk of preterm birth)
- Chronic constipation or cough
- Overweight or obese
- Chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections
- History of psychiatric diagnosis or currently receiving psychiatric treatment
- Diagnosis of or treatment for urinary incontinence
- Unable to regularly attend the education sessions or who discontinue the program
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Participants must be registered in the hospital's prenatal school and actively participating in the 3-day training sessions.
Duration - 8 weeks
Participants in the exercise group attend a face-to-face group training session during a childbirth preparation class, then perform pelvic floor exercises three times a week for eight weeks. Exercises include Kegels, breathing-coordinated contractions, pelvic floor exercises in various positions, core stabilization, and integration into daily activities, supported by weekly video materials and an exercise diary.
1 initial group training session and weekly video support; participants practice exercises at home three times a week
Duration - Up to 7 months from training start
Participants' obstetric outcomes and urinary incontinence are evaluated after the exercise program, comparing delivery methods, episiotomy severity, and incontinence severity using questionnaires and surveys.
Assessments occur during prenatal and post-labor follow-up visits
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Seyhan Çankaya
Konya, Turkey (Türkiye), 42250
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Seyhan Çankaya, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
2
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