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Urogynaecology providers’ attitudes towards postnatal pelvic floor dysfunction

International Urogynecology Journal volume 29, pages 751–766 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Postnatal pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) has a high prevalence and morbidity amongst parturient women. Women should be counselled regarding postnatal PFD. Our aim was to determine urogynaecology providers’ knowledge of risk and protective factors for postnatal PFD, and to assess their practice patterns in postnatal PFD counselling.

Methods

An electronic survey was distributed to members of the European Urogynaecology Association (EUGA) and International Urogynaecology Association (IUGA). Data were collected on urogynaecology providers’ demographics, awareness of pregnancy-related PFD risk and protective factors, beliefs surrounding PFD risk–estimate tools, practice patterns in PFD counselling, and personal or spousal preferences for using caesarean section (CS) as a means of postnatal PFD prevention.

Results

Overall, 372 healthcare providers responded to the survey, 84 from the EUGA and 288 from the IUGA. Most reported practicing as a urogynaecologist (67%) and or obstetrician (44%). An overwhelming majority of respondents were aware of the major risk and protective factors for PFD, and almost 60% believed that risk–estimate tools for PFD could be clinically useful. Many denied enquiring about symptoms of PFD prenatally and postnatally (33% and 25% respectively), and reported not routinely counselling on prevention of postnatal PFD (39%). Nearly 25% reported that they would prefer CS for themselves or their spouse for prevention of postnatal PFD.

Conclusion

Urogynaecology providers are aware of risk and protective factors for postnatal PFD, but many fail to educate patients on the topic. The development of an easy-use risk-estimate tool for postnatal PFD could improve counselling rates in the future.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the members of the EUGA and IUGA who took the time to complete our survey and participate in the study.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Robotic Surgery and Urogynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland

    Carly Marjorie Cooke, Orfhlaith E. O’Sullivan & Barry A. O’Reilly

  2. Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Barry A. O’Reilly

  3. ASSERT Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

    Barry A. O’Reilly

Authors
  1. Carly Marjorie Cooke
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  2. Orfhlaith E. O’Sullivan
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  3. Barry A. O’Reilly
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carly Marjorie Cooke.

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Conflicts of interest

C. Cooke declares that she has no conflict of interest. O.E. O’Sullivan and B.A. O’Reilly receive honoraria from Pfizer healthcare and Astellas.

Appendices

Appendix 1: survey of health-care providers’ attitudes towards postnatal PFD with a focus on nulliparas (distributed to members of the EUGA)

In an effort to expand our knowledge on postnatal PFD and guide related research, we aim to clarify providers’ views on the issue via the following short survey. The survey is a total of 29 questions and should take approximately 5–10 min to complete. Please note that all questions refer to patients who have not given birth before. Thank you in advance for your time taken to inform us of your opinion.

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Appendix 2: survey of health-care providers’ attitudes towards postnatal PFD with a focus on nulliparas (distributed to members of the IUGA)

In an effort to expand our knowledge on postnatal PFD and guide related research, we aim to clarify providers’ views on the issue via the following short survey. The survey is a total of 29 questions and should take approximately 5–10 min to complete. Please note that all questions refer to patients who have not given birth before. Thank you in advance for your time taken to inform us of your opinion.

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Cooke, C.M., O’Sullivan, O.E. & O’Reilly, B.A. Urogynaecology providers’ attitudes towards postnatal pelvic floor dysfunction. Int Urogynecol J 29, 751–766 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-017-3419-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-017-3419-z

Keywords

  • Pelvic floor dysfunction
  • Perinatal counselling
  • Postnatal pelvic floor dysfunction