On-Site PhD conferral Heidi F.A. Moosdorff-Steinhauser
Supervisors: Prof. dr. M.E.A. Spaanderman, Dr. L.C.M. Berghmans
Co-supervisor: Dr. E.M.J. Bols
Key words: pregnancy-related urinary incontinence, pelvic floor muscle exercises, bother, help-seeking behaviour
"Pregnancy-related urinary incontinence, does it bother?"
Pregnancy-related urinary incontinence is very common and will not resolve by itself in many cases. Pelvic floor muscle exercises are an effective treatment option with equal effectiveness in individual and group therapy. However, uncertainty exists about the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises in a group for pregnant and post-partum women with urinary incontinence. In the motherfit study, the effect of pelvic floor muscle group therapy for peri-partum women with urinary incontinence is compared with usual care. In addition, more precise data regarding the number of pregnant and up to one year post-partum women and their experienced bother were revealed in literature studies. To acquire more knowledge on experienced bother and help-seeking behaviour of Dutch pregnant and post-partum women, two surveys were distributed. Finally, to gain more in-depth knowledge on urinary incontinence and help-seeking behaviour, peripartum women and health care professionals were interviewed.
