Pelvic floor dysfunction in pregnant women in the third trimester

Objective. To estimate the frequency and severity of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms in pregnant women in the third trimester. Material and methods. The study enrolled 395 pregnant women at 28-38 weeks’ gestation, who filled out a Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20). Results. 280 (61.7%) of the 395 pregnant women specified 2 or more symptoms characteristic of prolapse; colorectal and urinary symptoms were reported by 304 (77%) and 292 (73.9%) of the 395 respondents, respectively. Although prolapse symptoms were statistically less frequently reported than were colorectal and urinary ones, but the degree of their severity was higher. One-quarter of the women experienced moderate or severe prolapse symptoms and the same number of women pointed that they should reduce evagination to empty the bowel and bladder, suggesting that they might have more than grade 1 prolapse. Every four women among those who had colorectal symptoms noted that the latter were moderate or severe. Every six women of those who indicated the presence of urinary symptoms also pointed to their severity with frequent and very frequent urine leakage associated with coughing, sneezing or laughing; every three of them said that this symptom was of the greatest significance. Conclusion. The high frequency of PFD symptoms in pregnant women suggests that these risk groups need to be actively identified through screening and to be provided with timely medical care. © Bionika Media Ltd.