Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Pregnant Women During Third Trimester

Abstract

Background: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a prevalent yet underdiagnosed condition in pregnant women, particularly during the third trimester, when physiological stress on the pelvic musculature is at its peak. Despite its clinical significance, limited research has focused exclusively on this late gestational period using comprehensive, validated assessment tools. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of PFD among pregnant women during their third trimester, using the Pelvic Floor Disability Index-20 (PFDI-20), and to highlight the burden of urinary, prolapse, and colorectal symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from August 2023 to January 2024 at two tertiary care hospitals in Lahore. A total of 150 pregnant women in their third trimester (≥28 weeks) were enrolled through nonprobability sampling. Inclusion criteria comprised women aged 18–45 years with singleton pregnancies, while those with pre-existing pelvic surgeries or neurological disorders were excluded. Data was collected using the PFDI-20 questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS v27 for descriptive statistics and frequency distributions. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College. Results: Among 150 participants, 92.7% reported PFD symptoms: 27.3% had non-bothersome symptoms, 30.0% were mildly bothered, 28.7% moderately, and 6.7% severely. Only 7.3% were symptom-free. The high prevalence underscores significant clinical burden in this population. Conclusion: PFD is highly prevalent in the third trimester, necessitating routine screening during antenatal care. Early detection can enable targeted pelvic floor interventions to mitigate postpartum complications and enhance maternal well-being.