The Effects of the Pilates Method on Pelvic Floor Injuries during Pregnancy and Childbirth: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

The perineal injuries suffered during childbirth have a great impact on the quality of life of the female population. Evidence suggests that the Pilates method is used by pregnant women to improve the physical and psychological outcomes of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the Pilates Method during pregnancy on the incidence and degree of intrapartum perineal trauma. A quasi-experimental study was carried out between November 2018 and December 2019 at different health centers in two health districts. Participants were 72 pregnant women attending the antenatal program, who were assigned to a Pilates group or a control group (48 and 24 pregnant women, respectively). The main outcome measurement was perineal trauma during childbirth. After participating in the Pilates program, the women in the experimental group were significantly less likely to suffer perineal trauma in spontaneous deliveries compared to the women in the control group. After evaluating these results, it is concluded that health center managers should promote the training of midwives in the prevention and treatment of pelvic floor injuries during pregnancy and should consider strategies to enhance adhesion and participation with respect to pelvic floor exercise programs throughout pregnancy by means of Apps and other digital media specifically aimed at this phase.

Influence of a Virtual Exercise Program throughout Pregnancy during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Perineal Tears and Episiotomy Rates: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Previous studies have suggested that individuals who practice exercise are less likely to suffer tears with less severity as well as an episiotomy. These investigations were quasi-randomized controlled trials that focused on specific exercises, limiting their intervention to the aquatic environment or Pilates [21,47]. New data on the relationship between maternal exercise and injury during childbirth in the COVID-19 pandemic are needed.…”

Obstetric, maternal, and neonatal outcomes after Pilates exercise during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Nine RCTs included, [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] 3 non-RCTs, [11,26,27] and 1 retrospective cohort study [28] with a total sample size of 719 pregnant women. Studies sites varied among many countries, such as Turkey, Brazil, Spain, Iran, Cyprus, South Korea, Australia, and Indonesia.…”