[The effect of pelvic floor exercises in the antepartum and postpartum periods on occurrence of stress urinary incontinence: implications for health care provision]

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to review the existing evidence on the impact of pelvic floor exercises on the occurrence and the role in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in the perinatal period. Our analysis indicates that pelvic floor exercises are a safe and highly effective measure in the prevention of occurrence and treatment of stress urinary incontinence, both antepartum and postpartum. Their performance in the inpatient setting during early puerperium can allow proper physiotherapeutic instruction and supervision without additional admission and costs. Poland has an opportunity to become the first country worldwide to implement peripartum pelvic floor exercises as a preventive method for urinary incontinence on a regular basis.