Rehabilitation during pregnancy and in the postpartum
Valancogne, G.; Galaup, J.P.
Revue Francaise de Gynecologie et d'Obstetrique 88(10): 498-508
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-290X PMID: 8248694 Document Number: 410504
Pregnancy and labour are notable etiopathogenic factors concerning urinary incontinence and pelvic positional problems. 30 to 40% of women suffer from incontinence during pregnancy and 20% in the post-partum period. While this incontinence regresses spontaneously in 60 to 80% of cases, it nevertheless reflects the existence of pelviperineal problems. Combined with the efforts of everyday life, this trauma finally explains the high incidence of women with urinary problems and pelvic positional difficulties starting from the fourth and fifth decades of life. Perineo-sphincter exercises must be started very early, during the pre-partum phase and always before the start of sports and occupational activities. It involves all the constituents of the lumbo-pelvi-perineal region and in particular perineal tone, muscle power and strength and the quality of sphincter closure during effort. These efforts are themselves studied on the basis of the pressures which they produce. In total, perineal exercises, abdominal exercises and physical activity are not contradictory but, in fact, complementary, such that the management approach is global and adapted to the individual.