Effects of labour in water and traditional labour on pelvic floor muscle myoelectricity, pelvic floor muscle pressure and fibromuscular strength

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of labour in water on pelvic floor muscle myoelectricity, pelvic floor muscle pressure, fibromuscular strength and neonatal safety.

MethodsOne hundred and twenty primiparas were randomly divided into labour in water group and traditional labour group (60 cases in each group).The labour in water group was treated with labour in water method, while the traditional labour group was treated with conventional labour.The pelvic floor muscle myoelectricity and pressure, type Ⅰ and typeⅡ pelvic floor muscle fibromuscular strength, neonatal body weight, neonatal Apgar score, incidence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and duration of labour were compared between the two groups.

ResultsThe pelvic floor muscle myoelectricity and pressure in labour in water group were significantly lower than those in traditional labour group (P < 0.01), the type Ⅰ and typeⅡ pelvic floor muscle fibromuscular strength were significantly higher than those in traditional labour group (P < 0.01), the neonatal Apgar score was significantly higher than that in traditional labour group (P < 0.01), and the incidences of POP and SUI were lower than those in traditional labour group (P < 0.05).There was no significant difference in the body weight, duration of the first stage of labor, duration of the second stage of labour and duration of the third stage of labour between the two groups (P>0.05).

ConclusionsLabour in water can significantly reduce the pelvic floor muscle myoelectricity and pressure, enhance the level of type Ⅰ and typeⅡ pelvic floor muscle fibromuscular strength, reduce the impact on pelvic floor function, and improve the safety of newborns.