Benefits of pelvic floor physiotherapy in strengthening the pelvic floor for childbirth: an interactive literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55892/jrg.v8i19.2790Keywords:
Breech presentation, Pelvic floor disorders, Pregnancy, Physiotherapy careAbstract
Strengthening the pelvic floor has been associated with the prevention of dysfunctions such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and perineal injuries, in addition to contributing to a more efficient and less traumatic labor. This study aims to analyze the benefits of pelvic floor physiotherapy in strengthening the pelvic floor and its influence on childbirth. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review that gathered and analyzed relevant scientific studies published in the last 10 years. The search was conducted in scientific databases such as: SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), PubMed (US National Library of Medicine), Lilacs (Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences), and Google Scholar using the following descriptors: pelvic floor, childbirth, pelvic physiotherapy, pelvic floor physiotherapy, physiotherapy during pregnancy, pelvic floor, combined with the Boolean operator AND. Results: The main results highlight the effectiveness of pelvic physiotherapy in strengthening the pelvic floor in the prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal and urogynecological dysfunctions associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. The analyzed studies converge in demonstrating that physiotherapy follow-up during the gestational period provides significant benefits for both maternal health and obstetric outcomes, also improving muscle function, preventing perineal injuries, and contributing to pain reduction, in addition to strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. It is noted that guidance and practice of physiotherapy exercises during prenatal care contribute to providing body and postural awareness and improving respiratory capacity, factors that directly influence the evolution of vaginal delivery. Therefore, studies highlight the importance of physiotherapy in reducing unnecessary cesarean sections. So, the systematic implementation of these practices in prenatal programs contributes to better maternal and neonatal outcomes, in addition to consolidating physiotherapy as an indispensable area in comprehensive women's health care.
Downloads
References
AMORIM, Melania, entrevista concedida a WOLFART, Graziela et al. Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing: Evidence and Implications for Women, Babies, and Maternity Care. In: A retomada do protagonismo feminino no parto. [S. l.], 2 jul. 2012. Disponível em: https://www.ihuonline.unisinos.br/artigo/16-artigo-2012/4513-melania-amorim.com. Acesso em: 18 abr. 2025.
ARAÚJO, Beatriz Tanuri; FERREIRA, Letícia Amaral; BRAGA, Ana Paula Xavier dos Santos. As contribuições da fisioterapia pélvica para o parto vaginal. Revista Multidisciplinar do Centro Universitário FIPMoc, Montes Claros, v. 38, n. 1, 2025.
ARQUIMINIO, Kênia Delânia Marques de Queiroz et al. Fatores de risco pré-natais e perinatais de mães que tiveram partos prematuros. REVISA, v. 12, n. 1, p. 231-239, jan./mar. 2023.
BABINI, Dominique et al. Função do assoalho pélvico, incontinência urinária e fecal em adolescentes primíparas segundo presença de episiotomia: estudo transversal. Revista Brasileira de Saúde Materno Infantil, Recife, v. 24, 2024.
BUCKLEY, Sarah. Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing: Evidence and Implications for Women, Babies, and Maternity Care. Washington, D.C.: Childbirth Connection Programs, National Partnership for Women & Families, January 2015.
ELISABETH, Ingrid et al. Is Physical Activity Good or Bad for the Female Pelvic Floor? A Narrative Review. Sports Medicine, p.471-484, 2019.
FERREIRA, Kelly Cristina Leal; ALMEIDA, Samanta Luísa da Cruz; BRAGA, Ana Paula dos Santos Xavier. Efeitos do fortalecimento da musculatura do assoalho pélvico no período puerperal. Revista Multidisciplinar, Montes Claros, v. 38, n. 1, 2025.
GOMES, Karine Alves; LIMA, Ronaldo Nunes. A importância da fisioterapia pélvica nas gestantes. Revista Ibero-Americana de Humanidades, Ciências e Educação, São Paulo, v. 11, n. 6, 2025.
HAY-SMITH, Jean et al. Pelvic floor muscle training for prevention and treatment of urinary and faecal incontinence in antenatal and postnatal women (Review). The Cochrane Library, 2008.
LANCEY, Jhon et al. Pelvic floor injury during vaginal birthis life-altering and preventable: what can we do about it? American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2023.
LEAL, Maria do Carmo et al. Birth in Brazil: national survey into labour and birth. Reprodutive health, [s. l.], p. 9-15, 2012.
MARCELINO, Tânia Cyrino et al. Abordagem fisioterapêutica na massagem perineal no pré-parto. ConScientiae Saúde, p. 339-344, 2008.
MENDES, Nathalia Antal; MAZZAIA, Maria Cristina; ZANETTI, Miriam Raquel Diniz. Análise crítica sobre a utilização do Epi-No na gestação e parto. ABCS Health Sciences, v. 43, n. 2, p. 117-123, 2018.
MOLETA VARGAS, Thaiane et al. Efeitos do exercício físico sobre as disfunções do assoalho pélvico no pós-parto: um estudo randomizado controlado por placebo. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. [S. l.], p. 1- 11, 5 ago. 2024.
MONGUILHOTT, Juliana Jacques da Costa et al. Massagem perineal pré-natal para prevenção do trauma: piloto de ensaio clínico randomizado. Acta Paulista de Enfermagem, v. 35, 2022.
MONTEIRO, João P.; ALMEIDA, Renata S.; CARVALHO, Tiago F. A revisão de literatura como fundamento epistemológico e estratégico para a pesquisa e a prática em saúde. Revista UB de Pesquisa Científica, São Paulo, v. 12, n. 2, p. 45–60, 2025. Disponível em: https://revistaub.com/index.php/RUB/article/view/196. Acesso em: 29 out. 2025.
MOURA, Anna Carolina Ferraz de; CAMPOS, Mislene Lara de. Atuação da fisioterapia na prevenção de disfunções do assoalho pélvico em gestantes da atenção básica. Revista do Centro Universitário UNIVAG, Várzea Grande, 2022.
QUADROS, Letícia Ruebenich de; GRAVE, Magali Teresinha Quevedo. Fisioterapia em jovem gestante com sequelas pós Síndrome de Guillain-Barré: relato de caso. Scientia Médica, Porto Alegre, v. 27, n. 1, p. 1–9, 2017.
VIEIRA, Andressa Micaele Oliveira; ANDRADE, Ramon dos Santos; CARVALHO, Roberta Sousa. A importância da fisioterapia pélvica em gestantes para otimizar o parto vaginal e reduzir o número de cesáreas. UNIDESC, 2023.
WOODLEY, Stephanie et al. Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing and treating urinary and faecal incontinence in antenatal and postnatal women (Review). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. [S. l.], p. 1-216, 7 maio 2020.
YIN, Jinzhu et al. Effects of perineal massage at different stages on perineal and postpartum pelvic floor function in primiparous women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, v. 24, p. 405, 2024.
ZHANG, Dingfeng et al. Influence of pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy on urinary incontinence, episiotomy and perineal tear: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, v. 103, p. 1015–1027, 2024.
ZIZZI, Priscila Tavares et al. Força muscular perineal e incontinência urinária e anal em mulheres após o parto: estudo transversal. Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP, v. 51, 2017.
