Effects of pelvic-abdominal mechanics exercises during pregnancy on improving perinatal pelvic floor function in primiparous women

Objective To explore the effects of pelvic-abdominal mechanics exercises during pregnancy on improving pelvic floor function in primiparous women during the perinatal period.Methods A single-center prospective study selected 200 primipara of singleton pregnancies with prenatal care and delivery established at our hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 as the study subjects. Participants were divided into two groups: the exercise group and the control group by using a random number table method. Participants who engaged in pelvic-abdominal mechanics exercises for at least 3 months, exercising once a week, were included in the exercise group. Those who did not engage in exercise were included in control group. Comparing the two groups in terms of pregnancy discomfort symptoms, delivery outcomes, postpartum pelvic floor electromyography results, postpartum quality of life, and pelvic floor disease incidence.Results In the late pregnancy period, the exercise group showed significantly better scores in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for well-being, emotional state, and quality of life compared to the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of sleep quality and incidence of urinary incontinence during the late pregnancy period (P > 0.05). Regarding delivery outcomes, the exercise group had a higher rate of vaginal delivery (81.44%) compared to the control group (64.28%). The exercise group also had a shorter duration of the second stage of labor compared to the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). At the postpartum 42 days assessment of pelvic floor function, the exercise group demonstrated significantly better values in terms of vaginal pressure, muscle strength, pelvic-abdominal coordination during contraction, and Modified Oxford (MOS) grading compared to the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the incidence of pelvic organ prolapse (P > 0.05). However, the exercise group had a significantly lower incidence of SUI compared to the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Regarding postpartum quality of life, the exercise group showed significantly better results compared to the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05).Conclusion Pelvic-abdominal mechanics exercises have advantages in reducing symptoms related to perinatal pelvic floor dysfunction, improving postpartum pelvic floor muscle strength, enhancing pelvic floor function, and preventing the occurrence of pelvic floor disease.