INCONTINENCE DURING PREGNANCY - PREVALENCE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTINENCE PROMOTION

A cross-sectional study using a structured interview was conducted wit h 304 women in the postnatal ward of a large NSW teaching hospital. Wo men were asked about any incontinence experienced in the last month of pregnancy, and about advice and interventions for bladder control or incontinence they had received during pregnancy. Sixty four per cent o f women reported incontinence during pregnancy. Compared to women with no prior deliveries, those with a previous forceps delivery were 10 t imes more likely to experience incontinence, and with prior vaginal de liveries 4 times more likely to experience incontinence. Women who rep orted experiencing bouts of coughing on a regular basis during pregnan cy were 4 times more likely to experience incontinence than those who did not. While 68% of the women reported being examined vaginally at l east once during pregnancy, only 6% of the sample reported having thei r pelvic floor muscles tested during routine vaginal examination. Twen ty three per cent of women reported having spoken with a healthcare pr ofessional regarding loss of bladder control. The results indicate tha t opportunities for continence promotion are not being utilized.