Abstract:

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge and beliefs of pregnant women about pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMT). Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was applied on n = 516 pregnants who applied to a university hospital gynecology and obstetrics polyclinic between February and October 2019 and volunteered to participate in the study. An “information form” was used for data collection and descriptive statistics method in analysis. Results: The average age of pregnants is 29.4 ± 5.5. 2.1% of the pregnants stated that they had urinary incontinence problem before pregnancy, and 13.0% stated that they had urinary incontinence problem during pregnancy. Pregnants stated that the primary reason of urinary incontinence during pregnancy is "weight gain (58.7%) during pregnancy" and 28.7% of them stated that urinary incontinence during pregnancy is normal. Only 9.7% of the pregnants stated that they had information about PFMT and 66.0% of those who had information received the information from health personnel. The report of women who applied PFMT during pregnancy is 7.4% and 74.0% of those who do it stated that they apply PFMT every day. 48.7% of pregnants who apply exercise think that they are successful in applying, and 48.7% think that they are suspicious. 8.7% of pregnants think that they have knowledge about the benefits of PFMT, 97.8% of those who are aware of its benefits think that PFMT prevents urinary, stool and gas leakage by increasing pelvic floor muscle strength. Conclusion and Suggestions: Pregnants by nurses and / or midwives providing information about pelvic floor muscle exercise and its benefits, and encouraging them to do pelvic floor muscle exercises by giving practical training are recommended.

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