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The association between pelvic girdle pain and urinary incontinence among pregnant women in the second trimester
Author(s) -
Fitzgerald Colleen M.,
Santos Lynette R.,
Mallinson Trudy
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2012.01.014
Subject(s) - medicine , urinary incontinence , weakness , pelvic floor muscle , pregnancy , pelvic floor , obstetrics , urinary system , pelvic pain , gynecology , urology , surgery , biology , genetics
Objective To examine the association among pelvic girdle pain (PGP), urinary incontinence (UI), and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function in pregnant women in the second trimester. Methods Fifty‐five pregnant women (29 with PGP and 26 without) were enrolled. Urinary incontinence was measured via the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form. Vaginal examination assessed PFM contract–relax patterns and muscle strength. Results Overall, 51 women (26 with PGP and 25 without) were included in the final analyses. After controlling for PFM muscle strength, women with PGP were significantly more likely to have UI ( P = 0.03). After controlling for pain status, having little or no PFM contraction was significantly associated with UI ( P = 0.03). There was no association between PGP and PFM weakness. Conclusion There was an association between PGP and UI and between UI and PFM weakness among the study participants. Lack of PFM weakness in women with PGP during pregnancy may reflect acuity of pain or measurement error.