Pelvic floor muscle exercises in preventing urinary incontinence among mothers after delivery in a maternity ward: a best practice implementation project

INTRODUCTION: Pelvic floor muscles can undergo significant trauma and physical changes during childbirth. This may result in urine leaking involuntarily in postnatal mothers after normal vaginal delivery. Pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) have been found to be beneficial in preventing urinary incontinence after delivery. OBJECTIVES: This project aimed to prevent and reduce urinary incontinence among postnatal mothers who received PFME education prior to discharge. This was achieved through the implementation of best practice recommendations. METHODS: This project was guided by the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework which comprises a baseline audit, analysis of barriers, tailored strategies, and follow-up audit to assess impact and sustainability. The maternity ward midwives and nurses were trained how to educate the participants about PFME. Urinary incontinence symptoms were evaluated using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form. Two follow-up audits were conducted to measure changes in compliance with best practices. RESULTS: The percentage of mothers who received training on PFME was 53.3% at baseline, 50% at follow-up audit 1, and 60% at follow-up audit 2. The percentage of mothers who received a physical copy of the patient information leaflet increased from 80% at baseline to 90% in follow-up audit 1, and 96.7% in follow-up audit 2. In addition, mothers who performed PFME after discharge reported fewer urine incontinence symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The project results showed that urinary incontinence had decreased among postnatal mothers who had practiced PFME. Sustainability plans involve regular audits, educating new nurses, and nursing leadership support for an evidence-based culture. SPANISH ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A569.