The Association between Postpartum Pelvic Girdle Pain and Pelvic Floor Muscle Function, Diastasis Recti and Psychological Factors—A Matched Case-Control Study

Małgorzata Starzec-Proserpio, Montserrat Rejano-Campo, Agata Szymańska, Jacek Szymański and Barbara Baranowska
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Małgorzata Starzec-Proserpio: Department of Midwifery, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-813 Warsaw, Poland
Montserrat Rejano-Campo: Montse Rejano Physiotherapist, Paseo Marítimo los Charcones 9, 35414 El Puertillo, Spain
Agata Szymańska: Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
Jacek Szymański: First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-004 Warsaw, Poland
Barbara Baranowska: Department of Midwifery, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-813 Warsaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 10, 1-15

Abstract: There is uncertainty regarding the association between abdominal morphology, pelvic floor function, and psychological factors in women with postpartum pelvic girdle pain (PGP). The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate the differences between women with and without persistent PGP regarding pelvic floor function, diastasis recti, and psychological factors 6–24 weeks postpartum. Pelvic floor manometry, palpation examination of abdominal muscles, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale—21, and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale were used. The PGP group presented with lower vaginal resting pressure ( p < 0.001), more tenderness ( p = 0.018) and impaired voluntary activation of pelvic floor muscles ( p ≤ 0.001). Women with pain also had more distortion on the level of the anterior abdominal wall ( p = 0.001) and more severe diastasis recti ( p = 0.046) when compared to pain-free controls. Lower vaginal resting pressure was the strongest factor explaining PGP (OR 0.702, 95%CI 0.502–0.981). There were no differences in terms of the pelvic floor strength, endurance, severity of urinary incontinence and reported distress between the groups. Women with PGP 6–24 weeks postpartum differ in pelvic floor and abdominal muscle function from the pain-free controls. Vaginal resting pressure may be an important factor in pelvic girdle pain shortly postpartum. Further studies are needed to see a trend in changes over time.

Keywords: pelvic girdle pain; pelvic floor; pelvic floor disorders; rectus abdominis; biopsychosocial model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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