title: Does antenatal pelvic floor muscle training affect the outcome of labour? A randomised controlled trial.
abstract: It is thought that antenatal pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) might produce a strong pelvic floor resulting in prolonged labour, whilst some believe it produces well-controlled muscles that facilitate rotation of the foetal head and shortens the duration of labour. This secondary analysis (of a previously published randomised controlled trial) assesses the labour and delivery details of 268 primigravidae who were originally randomised at approximately 20 weeks gestation to supervised PFMT or a control group. Between the two groups, there was no difference in the duration of the second stage of labour or in the need for instrumental delivery. PFMT does not appear to facilitate or obstruct labour.
authors.affiliation: Urogynaecology Research Unit, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, UK. wagur@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Wael
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Agur
authors.forename: Pippin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Steggles
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Waterfield
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Freeman
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010298:Parity; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome