Urinary Incontinence in Pregnant Women: Integrative Review

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the scientific production related to the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life of pregnant women. Method: An integrative review carried out from September 2014 to May 2015. The search was conducted in six databases, and a final sample of seventeen publications was presented. The data were presented in tables. Results: Incontinence related factors are: Being older, second pregnancy, multiparity, constipation, smoking, and obesity. Stress incontinence is the most occurring in pregnant women, causing an adverse impact on quality of life. Discussion: It is for health professionals who try to create effective coping strategies for minimizing consequences generated by the accidental loss of urine. Conclusion: Urinary incontinence affects the mother's life, resulting in social, behavioral, physical and emotional harm, taking this woman to be excluded from society and feel insecure about their health.

Prevalence and risk factors for urinary incontinence in pregnancy in Ikere‐Ekiti, Nigeria

“…In Zaria, Nigeria, prevalence of 21.1% was reported during pregnancy . Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the commonest type in pregnancy …”

“…4 Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the commonest type in pregnancy. 4,9 Etiology of UI in pregnancy is multifactorial. 3,10 Physiological changes in the urinary tract during pregnancy form the bedrock for susceptibility of pregnant women to UI.…”

“…[13][14] Other changes that affect continence mechanism include the decrease of the functional urethral length and the maximum urethral closure pressure; increased mobility of urethral, bladder, and cervix and lower intravaginal pressure. 9,15 Risk factors that have been documented in the literature are age, parity, body mass index, constipation, history of UI in the mother and sister, history of UI during pregnancy and postpartum period, weight gain in pregnancy, alcoholic intake, caffeine intake; and smoking. 6,10,16 Most studies agreed that UI in pregnancy affects the quality of life of majority of sufferers; the severity of the effect on quality of life however differs.…”

“…Physiological weight gain and collagen changes in pregnancy may also lead to reduced pelvic; floor strength . Other changes that affect continence mechanism include the decrease of the functional urethral length and the maximum urethral closure pressure; increased mobility of urethral, bladder, and cervix and lower intravaginal pressure . Risk factors that have been documented in the literature are age, parity, body mass index, constipation, history of UI in the mother and sister, history of UI during pregnancy and postpartum period, weight gain in pregnancy, alcoholic intake, caffeine intake; and smoking…”

Quality of life among pregnant women with urinary incontinence: A cross-sectional study in a Malaysian primary care clinic

“…Furthermore, UI may affect their financial expenses as these women may need to buy sanitary absorbent pads for hygienic purposes [ 6 ]. A cost analysis study reported that the cost of pads, diapers, laundry, and dry cleaning was about a mean of USD3.91±11.11 per week, leading to an annual cost of USD204±578 in 2007 [ 7 ].…”