Effects of Pelvic Exercises on Birth and Incontinence

NCT07268014 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025/1051
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 151
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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

Conditions

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

Keywords

Pelvic Floor Exercise; Obstetric Outcomes; Urinary Incontinence; Birth, First

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Comparison of the sociodemographic characteristics of pregnant women before the training with a survey.

  Sociodemographic information of pregnant women will be collected through surveys, compared, and reported.

  7 month

• Comparison of obstetric characteristics of pregnant women before the training with a questionnaire.

  Obstetric data of pregnant women will be collected through questionnaires, compared, and reported.

  7 month

• Comparison of delivery methods among pregnant women across groups.

  Labor and postpartum data will be collected, compared, and reported using a follow-up form.

  7 month

• Comparison of the severity of episiotomy in pregnant women between groups.

  Pregnancy and postpartum follow-up data will be collected, compared, and reported using a form.

  7 month

• Comparison of the Michigan Incontinence Severity Index for pregnant women between groups.

  The Michigan Incontinence Severity Index (M-ISI) will be administered to pregnant women. The scale consists of three subscales: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and pad use/discomfort. Each subscale is scored separately. The RM-ISI ranges from 0 to 40 points (min-max), a higher score indicates more severe symptoms/discomfort for the relevant subscale.

  7 month

Study Arms (2)

No intervention

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

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

Other: Pelvic Exercise Group

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Other: Pelvic Exercise Group

Interventions

Pelvic Exercise Group 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; No intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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,

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Selcuk University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Seyhan Çankaya

Konya, 42250, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Urinary Incontinence; Pelvic Floor Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Urination Disorders; Urologic Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Urogenital Diseases; Male Urogenital Diseases; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms; Urological Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Pregnancy Complications

Central Study Contacts

Seyhan Çankaya, PhD

CONTACT

05054300733; seyhane32@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assoc. Prof. Seyhan Çankaya

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 24, 2025
• First Posted: December 5, 2025
• Study Start: December 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Last Updated: December 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)