Promoting urinary continence in postpartum women: 12-month follow-up data from a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

A physiotherapist-delivered continence promotion program was recently implemented with postpartum women in Australia. A previous randomised controlled trial demonstrated that the program was effective in promoting pelvic floor exercises and continence at 3 months postpartum. The present study compares pelvic floor exercise frequency and continence status for women in the intervention and 'usual care' control groups at 12 months postpartum. While there was no significant difference in continence status, women in the intervention group were more likely than those in the control group to be practising pelvic floor exercises at adequate frequencies. In turn, continued adherence to pelvic floor exercises at 12 months was predictive of continence at that time. Potential strategies for enhancing women's adherence to pelvic floor exercise regimes during and beyond the postpartum year are discussed.