Physical and cultural determinants of postpartum pelvic floor support and symptoms following vaginal delivery: a protocol for a mixed-methods prospective cohort study

摘要: Introduction Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), including pelvic organ prolapse (POP), stress and urgency urinary incontinence, faecal are common arise from loss of support. Although severe disease often does not occur until women become older, pregnancy childbirth major risk factors for PFDs, especially POP. We understand little about modifiable that impact function recovery after vaginal birth. This National Institutes Health (NIH)-funded Program Project, ‘Bridging physical cultural determinants postpartum support symptoms following delivery’, uses mixed-methods research to study the influences intra-abdominal pressure, activity, body habitus muscle fitness on as well context in which experience those changes. Methods analysis Using quantitative methods, we will evaluate whether 1 year first delivery affected by biologically plausible may muscle, nerve connective tissue healing during (first 8 weeks postpartum) strengthening (remainder year). qualitative examine aspects perceptions, explanations changes support, actions taken Mexican-American Euro-American primipara, emphasising early childbirth. summarise project results a resource toolkit enhance opportunities dialogue between women, their families providers, across lay medical discourses. anticipate enrolling up 1530 nulliparous into prospective cohort third trimester, who deliver vaginally postpartum. Participants be drawn this meet project9s aims. Ethics dissemination The University Utah Intermountain Healthcare Institutional Review Boards approved study. Data stored secure password-protected database. Papers summarising primary ancillary analyses published peer-reviewed journals.