Pelvic floor muscle strength and body self-perception among Brazilian pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between pelvic floor muscle strength and body self-perception variables in pregnant women; and, more specifically, to determine the influence of the number of pregnancies (primigravidas vs multigravidas) on the strength of contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and on the body self-perception of pregnant women.


METHODS
Comparative cross-sectional research.


METHODS
Public health centres from Florianópolis, Brazil.


METHODS
Thirty-five pregnant women (18 primigravidas, 17 multigravidas) with a mean age of 25.5 (standard deviation 5.7) years.


METHODS
Pelvic floor strength measured through manual palpation, and body self-perception using the Questionnaire of Corporeality and Human Sexuality.


RESULTS
Pelvic floor muscle strength was positively correlated with schooling [rho (ρ)=0.496] and body self-perception variables: finding the body beautiful (ρ=0.476), finding the body sexy (ρ=0.520), feeling that others find them sexy (ρ=0.364), finding the body proportional (ρ=0.412), touching the body generally (ρ=0.554) and recognising the smell of the body (ρ=0.454). Primigravidas found their bodies more beautiful and were more satisfied with their bodies. On a scale of 0 to 6, multigravid participants expressed a greater wish than primigravid participants to be thinner (median difference 2, 95% confidence interval 0-3, P=0.03). Pelvic floor strength did not differ between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest a relationship between pelvic floor muscle strength and body self-perception. Professionals involved in women's health may have a role in helping their patients to understand their bodies.
Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Cep: 88080-350, Santa Catarina, Brazil. csacomori@yahoo.com.br
Cinara
C
Sacomori
Fernando Luiz
FL
Cardoso
Cristiane
C
Vanderlinde
D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D020073:Gravidity; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D009812:Odorants; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult