A study of quality of life in primigravidae with urinary incontinence

• Published in: International Urogynecology Journal Vol. 15; no. 3; pp. 160 - 164
• Main Authors: Dolan, Lucia M, Walsh, Deirdre, Hamilton, Shona, Marshall, Kaye, Thompson, Kate, Ashe, Robin G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Springer Nature B.V 01-06-2004
• Subjects: Adult; Female; Health Care Surveys; Health Status; Humans; Morbidity; Obstetrical Forceps; Older people; Parturition; Personal health; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Risk Factors; Urinary incontinence; Urinary Incontinence - complications; Urinary Incontinence - epidemiology; Urinary Incontinence - psychology
• ISSN: 0937-3462; 1433-3023
• DOI: 10.1007/s00192-004-1128-x

This study aimed to establish the prevalence and effect of urinary incontinence on quality of life during pregnancy and after parturition. A prospective cohort of primigravidae was recruited. The Kings Health Questionnaire (KHQ) was self-administered antenatally (34 weeks to term) and postnatally (3 months after delivery). Four hundred ninety-two primigravidae were recruited. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was reported as: pre-pregnancy 3.5% (17/492), antenatal 35.6% (175/492), 3-5 days postpartum 13.7% (51/370) and 3 months postnatal 13.0% (47/362). Most women with urinary incontinence experienced an impact on quality of life antenatally (54.3%) and postnatally (71.1%), although those experiencing an impact usually reported it as 'a little' (75.8 and 87.5%). There was a higher prevalence of urinary incontinence after forceps delivery ( p<0.05) but not of greater impairment in quality of life ( p>0.05). Personal and general health deteriorated postnatally ( p<0.05). During pregnancy most women with urinary incontinence experience minimal impact on quality of life. Postnatally, other causes of morbidity may contribute to worsening of general and personal health.