Effect of Kegel Exercise to Prevent Urinary and Fecal Incontinence in Antenatal and Postnatal Women: Systematic Review

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to review the literature to determine whether intensive pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy and after delivery could prevent urinary and fecal incontinence. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCT) of low-risk obstetric populations who had done Kegel exercise during pregnancy and after delivery met the inclusion criteria. Articles published between 1966 and 2012 from periodicals indexed in Ovid Medline, Embase, Scopus, KoreaMed, NDSL and other databases were selected, using the following keywords: 'Kegel, pelvic floor exercise'. The Cochrane's Risk of Bias was applied to assess the internal validity of the RCT. Fourteen selected studies were analyzed by meta-analysis using RevMan 5.1. Results: Fourteen RCTs with high methodological quality, involving 6,454 women were included. They indicated that Kegel exercise significantly reduced the development of urinary and fecal incontinence from pregnancy to postpartum. Also, there was low clinical heterogeneity. Conclusion: There is some evidence that for antenatal and postnatal women, Kegel exercise can prevent urinary and fecal incontinence. Therefore, a priority task is to develop standardized Kegel exercise programs for Korean pregnant and postpartum women and make efficient use of these programs.

Vaginal hyperlaxity syndrome: a new concept and challenge

“…The success of Kegel exercises relies on the adequate application of the technique and a strict observance of the exercise program. Today, the conclusion is that, according to some evidence, Kegel exercises may prevent urinary and fecal incontinence in prenatal and postnatal women [16].…”

Effects of Prenatal Perineal Massage and Kegel Exercises on the Integrity of Postnatal Perine

“…Performing a antenatal perineal massage by the woman or her partner a few weeks prior to the delivery has been advocated to increase elasticity and reduce the risk of perineal trauma from episiotomy or spontaneous tears [4] On the other hand, Dr. Arnold Kegel in 1940 discovered the squeeze and hold vaginal exercises known as Kegel's were specifically designed to target pelvic floor strengthening. Moreover, it is suggested that, since damage due to vaginal delivery occur in supportive pelvic issues and in the nervous structures related to them, the Kegel exercises reduce the laceration rate occurring during vaginal delivery, give vaginal and perineal muscles their previous tones, decrease the edema in perineal region, accelerate the circulation and prevent the stretch of abdominal muscles thereby prolapse and backache, as well as preventing the known stress incontinence [11] [23]- [28].…”

SLK Triple Therapy Improves Maternal and Fetal Status and Promotes Postpartum Pelvic Floor Function in Chinese Primiparous Women

“…Kegel training can enhance pelvic floor muscle myodynamics and promote pelvic blood circulation, and helps with natural delivery. Kegel training also prevents postpartum urinary incontinence and postpartum vaginal relaxation, and improves postpartum sexual life [40,41].…”