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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07268014

Effects of Pelvic Exercises on Birth and Incontinence

The Effect of Pelvic Floor Exercises During Pregnancy on Obstetric Outcomes and Urinary Incontinence: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

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Key information

Conditions

Maternal-Fetal Relations Birth, First Female Urogenital Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Incontinence, Urinary Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Male Urogenital Diseases Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pelvic Floor Disorders Pregnancy Complications Signs and Symptoms Urinary Incontinence Urination Disorders Urogenital Diseases Urologic Diseases Urological Manifestations

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Seyhan Çankaya

Konya, 42250, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

The study is a randomized controlled trial. It will be conducted at Konya City Hospital between December 2025 and June 2026. A total of 151 primiparous pregnant women will be included in the study (intervention group n=75, control group n=76). The intervention group will receive a pelvic floor exercise program, while the control group will not perform any pelvic floor exercises. Data will be collected using a personal information form, a pre-labor and post-labor follow-up form, and the Michigan Incontinence Severity Index.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Registered in the hospital's prenatal school and actively participating in the 3-day training sessions,
  • Aged between 18 and 35 years,
  • Between 28 and 30 weeks of gestation,
  • Having a singleton and low-risk pregnancy,
  • Primiparous (expecting their first birth),
  • Voluntarily agreeing to participate by signing the written informed consent form,
  • Able to read, understand, and communicate in Turkish.

Exclusion criteria

  • Those who have previously given birth vaginally or by cesarean section (multiparous women),
  • Those with multiple pregnancies,
  • Those who conceived through assisted reproductive techniques,
  • Those diagnosed with serious obstetric or medical complications during pregnancy (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, risk of preterm birth),
  • Those with chronic constipation or cough,
  • Those who are overweight or obese,
  • Those with chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections,
  • Those with a history of psychiatric diagnosis or currently receiving psychiatric treatment,
  • Those with a diagnosis of or treatment for urinary incontinence,
  • Those unable to regularly attend the education sessions or who discontinue the program,

Treatment and study plan

pelvic exercise group

Other

Pregnant women in the exercise group will participate in an eight-week pelvic floor exercise program. The program begins with a face-to-face group training session during a childbirth preparation class at Konya City Hospital, in groups of 15, led by a midwife. Training covers pelvic floor anatomy, correct muscle identification, Kegel exercises, breathing, relaxation techniques, and exercise demonstrations.

Following the session, participants will perform exercises three times a week for eight weeks, including Kegels, breathing-coordinated contractions, pelvic floor exercises in various positions, core stabilization exercises, and integration into daily activities. Weekly video materials will support proper exercise and motivation, and participants will record their practice in an exercise diary. At the end, experiences will be evaluated, and guidance for postpartum continuation will be provided.

Primary outcomes

  1. Comparison of the sociodemographic characteristics of pregnant women before the training with a survey.

    Time frame: 7 month

    Sociodemographic information of pregnant women will be collected through surveys, compared, and reported.

  2. Comparison of obstetric characteristics of pregnant women before the training with a questionnaire.

    Time frame: 7 month

    Obstetric data of pregnant women will be collected through questionnaires, compared, and reported.

  3. Comparison of delivery methods among pregnant women across groups.

    Time frame: 7 month

    Labor and postpartum data will be collected, compared, and reported using a follow-up form.

  4. Comparison of the severity of episiotomy in pregnant women between groups.

    Time frame: 7 month

    Pregnancy and postpartum follow-up data will be collected, compared, and reported using a form.

  5. Comparison of the Michigan Incontinence Severity Index for pregnant women between groups.

    Time frame: 7 month

    The Michigan Incontinence Severity Index (M-ISI) will be administered to pregnant women. The scale consists of three subscales: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and pad use/discomfort. Each subscale is scored separately. The RM-ISI ranges from 0 to 40 points (min-max), a higher score indicates more severe symptoms/discomfort for the relevant subscale.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Selcuk University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Pelvic Floor Exercises During Pregnancy on Obstetric Outcomes and Urinary Incontinence: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Dec 5, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 23, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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