Abstract
The necessity of increasingly addressing aspects of pelvic floor protection, i.e.,
prevention of the most frequent female pelvic floor disorders, such as urinary incontinence,
faecal
incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, is the result of the steadily improving
understanding of the association of pregnancy and delivery with the prevalence of
these disorders. About a
quarter of all women experience one or more such symptoms during their life.
Apart from age and weight, pregnancies and births play an important part. While initial
discussion of pelvic
floor protection often focused very rapidly on the mode of delivery and elective
caesarean section as a possible protective intervention, it has become apparent in
the last few decades how
varied and wide-ranging the options are that can be used to protect against pelvic
floor disorders. The mode of delivery as such is “only” one element among numerous
other considerations and
has diminished markedly in importance. Interprofessionality and interdisciplinarity
undoubtedly represent an important development as resulting recommendations must always
be incorporated in
an overall context that considers mother and child at the same time. Considering
the pelvic floor only certainly does not make sense. This review article will analyze
in greater detail
important pre-, intra- and postpartum aspects that in their entirety can provide
insight into the various aspects of pelvic floor protection. The authors regard the
following article as an
additional basis for discussion on achieving a sustained reduction in the incidence
and prevalence of female pelvic floor disorders.
Key words
vaginal delivery - pelvic floor protection - pelvic floor rehabilitation - urinary
incontinence - pelvic organ prolapse - faecal incontinence - pregnancy
