Are postpartum women in denmark being given helpful information about urinary incontinence and pelvic floor exercises?

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to determine where and from whom postpartum women recalled receiving information about urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic floor exercises (PFEs), the helpfulness of this information, and their preferred sources of help with UI.

METHODS

Women who had recently given birth in a Danish hospital (N = 439) were mailed a survey that elicited information about their experiences of receiving information about UI and PFEs.

RESULTS

Surveys were returned from 266 women, representing a response rate of 61%. Although almost all participants recalled receiving information about PFEs (95%), only half (55%) recalled being provided with information about UI. Midwives were the health care professionals who most commonly provided women with information about UI (33%) and PFEs (55%). Women generally perceived the information as being helpful, with the information from physiotherapists obtaining the highest mean ratings for helpfulness. Postpartum women indicated that they would prefer to consult with continence nurses or general nurses if they experienced UI. Health care professionals did not consistently provide postpartum women with information on UI and PFEs.

DISCUSSION

A coordinated multidisciplinary approach is needed to ensure that women are adequately informed about the risk of developing UI after childbirth and the ways in which this condition can be managed or resolved.