Educating Women About Pelvic Floor Disorders During Pregnancy

Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) are common and significantly affect the quality of life of many women as they age. Pregnancy has been identified as a major risk factor for developing PFDs later in life. Educating women about PFDs is essential to ensuring that they present to care in a timely manner. No study has investigated different education tools during pregnancy. The proposed study is a randomized controlled trial in pregnant patients comparing two educational tools: written materials about PFDs versus an educational workshops led by pelvic floor physical therapists (PFPTs). Pregnant patients will be recruited in the first and second trimester and randomized at that time. Knowledge will be assessed at baseline and again 6 weeks postpartum using the validated Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes will be evaluating referral patterns to urogynecology and to PFPTs from general OBGYNs and assessing any pelvic floor symptoms with the pelvic floor disability index (PFDI-20) at baseline and at 6 weeks postpartum.