Abstract
Objectives
The ability to perform a correct pelvic floor muscle contraction (PFMC) is necessary
to start pelvic floor muscle training after delivery. COMMOV are "c"ontractions of "o"ther "m"uscles (m. rectus abdominus, the gluteal muscles, and the adductors), and other "mov"ements (pelvic tilt, breath holding, and straining) performed in addition to or instead
of the PFMC. COMMOV are probably the most common errors in attempt to contract the
pelvic floor muscles during the first days after delivery. The aims of this study
were to observe the prevalence of COMMOV, to investigate whether COMMOV influence
the ability to perform a PFMC, and whether verbal instructions are effective to unlearn
the COMMOV postpartum.
Study design
A Prospective Observational Study was performed in women during the first through
sixth day postpartum. PFMC and COMMOV were evaluated with visual observation. Women
who did not show correct isolated PFMC received verbal instructions and were re-evaluated.
Interobserver variability and agreement were calculated. Chi-square, Kappa, Risk Ratio,
and McNemar were used.
Results
A total of 382 women participated, 2.36 (±1.2) days postpartum. Twohundred sixteen,
57%, CI (52–62%), showed COMMOV. The chance to perform a correct PFMC was 2.65 times
higher without COMMOV (p = 0.0001). Verbal feedback was effective (57% reduced to 3%) to abandon COMMOV during
PFMC.
Conclusion
COMMOV are common errors performed during attempts to contract the pelvic floor muscles
after delivery. They can reduce the ability to contract the pelvic floor muscles,
but can easily been unlearned with visual observation and verbal feedback.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 21, 2017
Accepted:
November 20,
2017
Received in revised form:
November 17,
2017
Received:
August 30,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
