Introduction and hypothesis: The effect of different abdominal contractions on the position of pelvic organs in parous women during postpartum exercises has not been sufficiently assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the displacement of the bladder base (BB) during different pelvic floor and abdominal contractions in parous women compared to nulliparous women. We hypothesised that abdominal and perineal contractions will produce a disparate effect on the position of the BB between groups.
Methods: Cross-sectional study including a convenience sample of 63 volunteers (35 nulliparous vs. 28 postpartum women). Transabdominal ultrasound was used in mode B to image the displacement of the BB. The protocol included six different pelvic floor and abdominal contractions commonly used in postpartum rehabilitation.
Results: The BB elevated significantly more in the postpartum group compared to nulliparous women when performing submaximal contraction of pelvic floor and transversus abdominis muscles simultaneously with axial elongation of the back (0.93 ± 0.55 cm in parous women vs. 0.66 ± 0.46 cm in nulliparous women). In contrast, the BB was found to descend significantly during a curl-up contraction in both groups (0.93 ± 0.55 cm in parous women vs. 0.66 ± 0.46 cm in nulliparous women).
Conclusions: The overall results of this study showed that perineal and superficial abdominal contractions produced different immediate effects compared to deep abdominal contractions on the displacement of BB in parous and nulliparous women. Further research is required to assess the long-term effects of these contractions.
Keywords: Abdominal muscles; Bladder; Pelvic floor muscles; Postpartum; Transabdominal ultrasound.
© 2021. The International Urogynecological Association.