Physioprophylaxis During Pregnancy and Preparation for Childbirth, and the Postpartum Period – Analysis of Actions Taken by Pregnant Women over the Years 2019-2025
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: During the perinatal period, many changes occur in a woman's body that can be managed by implementing positive health behaviours.Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyse changes in preventive actions taken to prepare for childbirth and the postpartum period among women giving birth from 2019 to 2025.Materials and methods: The study involved 1,338 women in the early postpartum period, giving birth in the years: 2019 (n=479), 2022/23 (n=564), and 2024/25 (n=295). The research tool was an author's questionnaire concerning, e.g. pelvic floor exercises, incontinence, lactation and perineal massage.Results: In the study, a positive trend was shown in the use of physiotherapy, which increased from 18.3% in 2019 to 38.6% in 2024/25, indicating growing awareness of perinatal physiotherapy. Regardless of the study period, approximately half of women performed pelvic floor muscle exercises, but there was marked improvement in the correct pattern of pelvic floor muscle exercises (2019: 30.1%; 2024/25: 47.3%). Despite one in three women experiencing urinary incontinence, the rate of physiotherapy consultations remained low, although it increased from 11.3% to 30.6%. In preparation for childbirth, nearly half of the women also received perineal massage. Furthermore, as the study progressed, women breastfed more frequently (2019: 76%; 2024/25: 91.9%), which correlated with increased breastfeeding difficulties. Despite this, only 20% of women knew exercises supporting lactation (2022/23: 22.9%; 2024/25: 17.0%).Conclusions: Women's knowledge of preventive measures during pregnancy is insufficient. Further research and education on this topic are necessary.
Source: Rehabilitacja Medyczna
Institution: Jagiellonian University
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7128769494