Women's experience of revealing perinatal bladder function--implications for midwifery care.
Comments of women engaged in a longitudinal study of urinary leaking from first trimester to 12 months following birth provide the data for this paper. Useful insights into the factors contributing to the maintenance of silence and ways to break the barriers to discussion of urinary incontinence before, during and following pregnancy were revealed. Given the prevalence of 30% of Australian women experiencing urinary leaking following pregnancy, it is imperative that midwives engage in discussion and support prevention of this unwelcome outcome of childbirth.
Strahle
Avon
A
Centre for Women's Health Nursing, Royal Hospital for Women, Locked Bag 2000, Barker St., Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia. Avon.Strahle@sesiah.health.nsw.gov.au
Stainton
M Colleen
MC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001364:Awareness; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology