Effect of pelvic floor muscle training protocol during 3rd trimester of pregnancy on labor progress and outcomes / Amany Arafat Goda ; Supervised Magda Ahmed Fawaz , Gehan Ibrahim Ghonem , Magdy Mostafa Ibrahim

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Nursing - Department of Nursing Science

Background: Pelvic floor muscles training during pregnancy can produce strong and well controlled muscles that will facilitate labor progress and outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of pelvic floor muscle training protocol during 3rd trimester of pregnancy on labor progress and outcomes. Research design: quasi-experimental non equivalent post test only research design. Sample: A convenience sample was used & divided into two groups (study & control groups) 50 each; the study group who applied pelvic floor muscle training exercise and control group who apply standard routine care at El-Manial University Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt. Tool: A variety of tools were used to collect the data; Structured interviewing tool, pelvic floor muscles strength assessment tool, antenatal follow up assessment tool, partograph and Apgar score. Results: a statistically significantly differences founded between the study and control groups in relation to duration of third stages of labor, maternal and newborn complications with p value (< 0.05). Conclusion: Nursing intervention for pregnant woman to apply pelvic floor muscle training exercise helped to shorten duration of labor and decrease it is complications. Recommendation: Based on the study findings the study recommended pelvic floor muscle training protocol should be an essential part of prenatal care and the nurse should be work as educator to teach pregnant woman benefits, and technique of pelvic floor muscle training exercise during prenatal period

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