Effects of Pelvic Exercises on Birth and Incontinence

NCT ID: NCT07268014

Last Updated: 2025-12-15

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 151 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-12-01
• Study Completion Date: 2026-06-01

Brief Summary

The Effect of Pelvic Floor Exercises During Pregnancy on Obstetric Outcomes and Urinary Incontinence: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Detailed Description

The study is a randomized controlled trial. It will be conducted at Konya City Hospital between December 2025 and June 2026. A total of 151 primiparous pregnant women will be included in the study (intervention group n=75, control group n=76). The intervention group will receive a pelvic floor exercise program, while the control group will not perform any pelvic floor exercises. Data will be collected using a personal information form, a pre-labor and post-labor follow-up form, and the Michigan Incontinence Severity Index.

Conditions

Maternal-Fetal Relations; Birth, First; Incontinence, Urinary; Pelvic Floor Disorders

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

No intervention

The control group will consist of pregnant women who do not do any pelvic floor exercises.

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Pelvic Exercise Group

Intervention Type: OTHER

Pregnant women in the exercise group will participate in an eight-week pelvic floor exercise program. The program begins with a face-to-face group training session during a childbirth preparation class at Konya City Hospital, in groups of 15, led by a midwife. Training covers pelvic floor anatomy, correct muscle identification, Kegel exercises, breathing, relaxation techniques, and exercise demonstrations.

Following the session, participants will perform exercises three times a week for eight weeks, including Kegels, breathing-coordinated contractions, pelvic floor exercises in various positions, core stabilization exercises, and integration into daily activities. Weekly video materials will support proper exercise and motivation, and participants will record their practice in an exercise diary. At the end, experiences will be evaluated, and guidance for postpartum continuation will be provided.

Intervention Group

Pregnant women in the exercise group will participate in an eight-week pelvic floor exercise program. The program begins with a face-to-face group training session during a childbirth preparation class at Konya City Hospital, in groups of 15, led by a midwife. Training covers pelvic floor anatomy, correct muscle identification, Kegel exercises, breathing, relaxation techniques, and exercise demonstrations.

Following the session, participants will perform exercises three times a week for eight weeks, including Kegels, breathing-coordinated contractions, pelvic floor exercises in various positions, core stabilization exercises, and integration into daily activities. Weekly video materials will support proper exercise and motivation, and participants will record their practice in an exercise diary. At the end, experiences will be evaluated, and guidance for postpartum continuation will be provided.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Pelvic Exercise Group

Intervention Type: OTHER

Pregnant women in the exercise group will participate in an eight-week pelvic floor exercise program. The program begins with a face-to-face group training session during a childbirth preparation class at Konya City Hospital, in groups of 15, led by a midwife. Training covers pelvic floor anatomy, correct muscle identification, Kegel exercises, breathing, relaxation techniques, and exercise demonstrations.

Following the session, participants will perform exercises three times a week for eight weeks, including Kegels, breathing-coordinated contractions, pelvic floor exercises in various positions, core stabilization exercises, and integration into daily activities. Weekly video materials will support proper exercise and motivation, and participants will record their practice in an exercise diary. At the end, experiences will be evaluated, and guidance for postpartum continuation will be provided.

Interventions

Pelvic Exercise Group

Pregnant women in the exercise group will participate in an eight-week pelvic floor exercise program. The program begins with a face-to-face group training session during a childbirth preparation class at Konya City Hospital, in groups of 15, led by a midwife. Training covers pelvic floor anatomy, correct muscle identification, Kegel exercises, breathing, relaxation techniques, and exercise demonstrations.

Following the session, participants will perform exercises three times a week for eight weeks, including Kegels, breathing-coordinated contractions, pelvic floor exercises in various positions, core stabilization exercises, and integration into daily activities. Weekly video materials will support proper exercise and motivation, and participants will record their practice in an exercise diary. At the end, experiences will be evaluated, and guidance for postpartum continuation will be provided.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Registered in the hospital's prenatal school and actively participating in the 3-day training sessions,
• Aged between 18 and 35 years,
• Between 28 and 30 weeks of gestation,
• Having a singleton and low-risk pregnancy,
• Primiparous (expecting their first birth),
• Voluntarily agreeing to participate by signing the written informed consent form,
• Able to read, understand, and communicate in Turkish.

Exclusion Criteria

• Those who have previously given birth vaginally or by cesarean section (multiparous women),
• Those with multiple pregnancies,
• Those who conceived through assisted reproductive techniques,
• Those diagnosed with serious obstetric or medical complications during pregnancy (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, risk of preterm birth),
• Those with chronic constipation or cough,
• Those who are overweight or obese,
• Those with chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections,
• Those with a history of psychiatric diagnosis or currently receiving psychiatric treatment,
• Those with a diagnosis of or treatment for urinary incontinence,
• Those unable to regularly attend the education sessions or who discontinue the program,

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 45 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Selcuk University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Seyhan Çankaya

Assoc. Prof. Seyhan Çankaya

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Seyhan Çankaya

Konya, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

Seyhan Çankaya, PhD

Role: CONTACT

seyhane32@gmail.com

05054300733

Facility Contacts

Seyhan Çankaya, PhD

Role: primary

seyhane32@gmail.com

05054300733

Other Identifiers

2025/1051

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id