Effects of Pelvic Exercises on Birth and Incontinence

Selcuk University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Pelvic Floor Disorders; Birth, First; Incontinence, Urinary; Maternal-Fetal Relations

Treatments: Other: Pelvic Exercise Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07268014

2025/1051

Details and patient eligibility

About

The Effect of Pelvic Floor Exercises During Pregnancy on Obstetric Outcomes and Urinary Incontinence: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Full description

The study is a randomized controlled trial. It will be conducted at Konya City Hospital between December 2025 and June 2026. A total of 151 primiparous pregnant women will be included in the study (intervention group n=75, control group n=76). The intervention group will receive a pelvic floor exercise program, while the control group will not perform any pelvic floor exercises. Data will be collected using a personal information form, a pre-labor and post-labor follow-up form, and the Michigan Incontinence Severity Index.

Enrollment: 151 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 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.

Exclusion criteria

• Those who have previously given birth vaginally or by cesarean section (multiparous women),
• Those with multiple pregnancies,
• Those who conceived through assisted reproductive techniques,
• Those diagnosed with serious obstetric or medical complications during pregnancy (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, risk of preterm birth),
• Those with chronic constipation or cough,
• Those who are overweight or obese,
• Those with chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections,
• Those with a history of psychiatric diagnosis or currently receiving psychiatric treatment,
• Those with a diagnosis of or treatment for urinary incontinence,
• Those unable to regularly attend the education sessions or who discontinue the program,

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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151 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

No intervention

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

The control group will consist of pregnant women who do not do any pelvic floor exercises.

Treatment:

Other: Pelvic Exercise Group

Intervention Group

Experimental group

Description:

Pregnant women in the exercise group will participate in an eight-week pelvic floor exercise program. The program begins with a face-to-face group training session during a childbirth preparation class at Konya City Hospital, in groups of 15, led by a midwife. Training covers pelvic floor anatomy, correct muscle identification, Kegel exercises, breathing, relaxation techniques, and exercise demonstrations. Following the session, participants will perform exercises three times a week for eight weeks, including Kegels, breathing-coordinated contractions, pelvic floor exercises in various positions, core stabilization exercises, and integration into daily activities. Weekly video materials will support proper exercise and motivation, and participants will record their practice in an exercise diary. At the end, experiences will be evaluated, and guidance for postpartum continuation will be provided.

Treatment:

Other: Pelvic Exercise Group