Avaliação da distensibilidade perineal em mulheres primíparas e sua correlação com a força dos músculos do assoalho pélvico

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the importance of perineal distensibility, little is known about its values in primiparous women and their relationship with other muscle variables. Before that, the purpose of this study was to verify the perineal distensibility in primiparous pregnant women and its correlation with pelvic floor muscle strength. Methods: Observational study, transverse in which they were inclued 155 primiparous pregnant women with gestacional age between 33 and 34 weeks. Perineal distensibility was evaluated using the Epi-No vaginal equipment and for the evaluation of the pelvic floor muscles contraction capacity, the method used for the evaluation was the digital palpation graded according to the Oxford Modified Scale and the evaluation of the contraction pressure was performed with a pressure gauge. The correlation between distensibility and maximal voluntary constraction was tested by Pearson’s correlation test and r values were interpreted according to Weber & Lamb. Results: No statistically significant correlations were observed between perineal distensibility and maximal voluntary contraction measured by peak (p = 0.302, r = 0.084) or mean (p = 0.278, r = 0.088) contraction pressure. Conclusion: Primiparous pregnant women have a mean distensibility value of 19,2 cm. There is no correlation between perineal distensibility and pelvic floor muscle strength in primiparous pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy.