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Research article
Qualitative exploration of the acceptability of a postnatal pelvic floor muscle training intervention to prevent urinary incontinence
Aileen Grant
Robert Gordon University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6146-101X
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published version at BMC Women's Health.
Background Childbirth is a major risk factor for urinary incontinence (UI). As a result, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is commonly recommended during and after pregnancy to prevent the onset of UI. PFMT is often classed as a physical activity (PA) behaviour, hence PA guidelines for postnatal women encourage PFMT alongside aerobic activities. However, postnatal lifestyle interventions tend to overlook PFMT which can be detrimental to women’s health and future health risks, including urinary incontinence. This study aimed to explore perceptions and acceptability of a postnatal physical activity and PFMT intervention with postnatal women in Scotland.Methods We recruited women who had given birth within the last five years by displaying posters in health centres and community centres in Stirling and through Facebook. Data was gathered via online and face-to-face focus groups, which were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analytic themes were initially organised under related concepts derived from the topic guide and thematic analysis conducted. Subsequent analysis was by the Framework technique.Results A total of seven online and face-to-face focus group discussions with 31 women identified there was a clear intention behaviour gap for engagement in PA with both psychological and logistical barriers identified such as motivation and childcare. This was distinct from PFMT where there was a feeling of helplessness around not knowing how to perform a correct PFMT contraction subsequently resulting in women not adhering to PFMT guidance. Women felt there was no accessible PFMT advice available through the NHS. Some participants had received PFMT advice after childbirth and spoke of the Squeezee app being useful in adhering to a PFMT regimen but they did require additional teaching on how to do correct contractions. There was need for clarity and practical support for PFMT in the postnatal period with an approved intervention incorporating an accessible app being suggested by participants.Conclusions Women would like to be trained on postnatal PFMT but face barriers to accessing adequate information and education on how to do a PFMT contraction. An intervention combining PFMT training and an app would be the most useful for their needs and circumstances.
Keywords
Urinary incontinence, pelvic floor muscle training, physical activity, postnatal care
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CURRENT STATUS: Published
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Posted 06 Jan, 2020
Published
On 17 Jan, 2020
No community comments so far
Submission checks complete
On 04 Jan, 2020
Editorial decision: Accept
On 27 Dec, 2019
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 23 Dec, 2019
Editor assigned
On 18 Dec, 2019
Submission checks complete
On 17 Dec, 2019
Editor invited
On 17 Dec, 2019
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 15 Dec, 2019
Editor assigned
On 12 Dec, 2019
Submission checks complete
On 11 Dec, 2019
Editor invited
On 11 Dec, 2019
No comments provided
Review #1 received
Received 07 Dec, 2019
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 07 Dec, 2019
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 05 Dec, 2019
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 05 Dec, 2019
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 04 Dec, 2019
Editor assigned
On 15 Oct, 2019
Submission checks complete
On 14 Oct, 2019
Editor invited
On 14 Oct, 2019
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 06 Oct, 2019
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 05 Oct, 2019
Review #1 received
Received 05 Oct, 2019
Review #2 received
Received 05 Oct, 2019
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 02 Oct, 2019
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 01 Oct, 2019
Submission checks complete
On 23 Sep, 2019
Editor assigned
On 19 Sep, 2019
First submitted
On 18 Sep, 2019
Editor invited
On 18 Sep, 2019
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Women's Health. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Qualitative exploration of the acceptability of a postnatal pelvic floor muscle training intervention to prevent urinary incontinence
Aileen Grant
Robert Gordon University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6146-101X
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
Version 5
Posted 06 Jan, 2020
Published
On 17 Jan, 2020
No community comments so far
Submission checks complete
On 04 Jan, 2020
Editorial decision: Accept
On 27 Dec, 2019
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 23 Dec, 2019
Editor assigned
On 18 Dec, 2019
Submission checks complete
On 17 Dec, 2019
Editor invited
On 17 Dec, 2019
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 15 Dec, 2019
Editor assigned
On 12 Dec, 2019
Submission checks complete
On 11 Dec, 2019
Editor invited
On 11 Dec, 2019
No comments provided
Review #1 received
Received 07 Dec, 2019
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 07 Dec, 2019
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 05 Dec, 2019
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 05 Dec, 2019
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 04 Dec, 2019
Editor assigned
On 15 Oct, 2019
Submission checks complete
On 14 Oct, 2019
Editor invited
On 14 Oct, 2019
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 06 Oct, 2019
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 05 Oct, 2019
Review #1 received
Received 05 Oct, 2019
Review #2 received
Received 05 Oct, 2019
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 02 Oct, 2019
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 01 Oct, 2019
Submission checks complete
On 23 Sep, 2019
Editor assigned
On 19 Sep, 2019
First submitted
On 18 Sep, 2019
Editor invited
On 18 Sep, 2019
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published version at BMC Women's Health.
Background Childbirth is a major risk factor for urinary incontinence (UI). As a result, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is commonly recommended during and after pregnancy to prevent the onset of UI. PFMT is often classed as a physical activity (PA) behaviour, hence PA guidelines for postnatal women encourage PFMT alongside aerobic activities. However, postnatal lifestyle interventions tend to overlook PFMT which can be detrimental to women’s health and future health risks, including urinary incontinence. This study aimed to explore perceptions and acceptability of a postnatal physical activity and PFMT intervention with postnatal women in Scotland.Methods We recruited women who had given birth within the last five years by displaying posters in health centres and community centres in Stirling and through Facebook. Data was gathered via online and face-to-face focus groups, which were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analytic themes were initially organised under related concepts derived from the topic guide and thematic analysis conducted. Subsequent analysis was by the Framework technique.Results A total of seven online and face-to-face focus group discussions with 31 women identified there was a clear intention behaviour gap for engagement in PA with both psychological and logistical barriers identified such as motivation and childcare. This was distinct from PFMT where there was a feeling of helplessness around not knowing how to perform a correct PFMT contraction subsequently resulting in women not adhering to PFMT guidance. Women felt there was no accessible PFMT advice available through the NHS. Some participants had received PFMT advice after childbirth and spoke of the Squeezee app being useful in adhering to a PFMT regimen but they did require additional teaching on how to do correct contractions. There was need for clarity and practical support for PFMT in the postnatal period with an approved intervention incorporating an accessible app being suggested by participants.Conclusions Women would like to be trained on postnatal PFMT but face barriers to accessing adequate information and education on how to do a PFMT contraction. An intervention combining PFMT training and an app would be the most useful for their needs and circumstances.