Gestational urinary incontinence in nulliparous pregnancy-A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary Incontinence (UI) in pregnancy is more than a disease; it is a social problem that necessitates special care and management. The exact rationales and biological facts behind urinary incontinence during pregnancy are unclear and multivariate. Aim: This pilot study was designed to examine the direct effect of gestational factors (e.g., physical and metabolic/hormonal) on the presence of Gestational Urinary Incontinence (GUI), using nulliparous pregnant women as study subjects. Materials and Methods: This was a questionnaire-based study comprising of 61 nulliparous pregnant woman who had not experienced any Urinary Incontinence (UI) before their pregnancies. Patients were examined during their pregnancies within the framework of the antenatal care program continued at the Division of Perinatology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, between January 2015 and December 2016. A ‘urinary incontinence questionnaire’ was used three times during different periods of gestation (11–14, ~24 and ~37 gestational weeks) for each patient. Statistical analyses was performed using the SPSS software version 20.0. The Chi-Square test or Fisher’s-exact test was used to compare proportions in groups. Results: The prevalence of total urinary incontinence (stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence and mixed urinary incontinence) in nulliparous pregnant women was 4.9% (n=3), 9.8% (n=6) and 26.2% (n=16) at 11–14, ~24 and ~37 gestational weeks, respectively. Stress urinary incontinence was found to be 3.3% (n=2), 6.6% (n=4) and 16.4% (n=10) at 11–14, ~24 and ~37 gestational weeks, respectively. Urge urinary incontinence frequency was found 1.6% (n=1), 3.3% (n=2), 6.6% (n=4), and mixed urinary incontinence frequency was 0% (n=0), 0% (n=0), 3.3% (n=2) at 11–14, ~24 and ~37 gestational weeks, respectively. Maternal age, birth weight of the neonate and gestational age at birth had no statistically significant effect on GUI. Conclusion: Urinary incontinence is an important issue during pregnancy and related symptoms are more common in third trimester.