Persistent Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain in Primiparous Women the Year After Childbirth: Prevalence and Symptom Severity in an Irish Cohort
Francesca Wuytack
Trinity College Dublin
Francesca Wuytack is a chiropractor and researcher with a specific interest in Pelvic Girdle Pain and evidence synthesis methodology. Following completion of a Master in Chiropractic in the UK, Francesca practised as a chiropractor focusing on the management of musculoskeletal complaints during pregnancy and in children before starting her PhD at Trinity College Dublin in 2012, conducting the Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain Research Strand of the Maternal health And Maternal Morbidities in Ireland (MAMMI) study. She successfully completed her PhD in 2016 and currently works as Clinical Research Associate in Systematic Reviews for the Health Research Board – Trial Research Methodology Network in Ireland. In addition, she continues to publish the findings of her PhD and has presented at multiple conferences, including a keynote address at the World Congress of Low Back & Pelvic Girdle Pain 2016.
Abstract
Background Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) affects one quarter to two thirds of women. Symptoms may persist postpartum, yet the prevalence and severity of persistent PPGP is unknown in Ireland. Aim and objectives... [ view full abstract ]
Background
Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) affects one quarter to two thirds of women. Symptoms may persist postpartum, yet the prevalence and severity of persistent PPGP is unknown in Ireland.
Aim and objectives of the study
To determine the prevalence of persistent PPGP in primiparous women during the first postpartum year, and assess persistent PPGP related symptom severity and activity limitation between 9 and 12 months postpartum.
Method
In this longitudinal cohort study, 1478 first-time mothers in early pregnancy were recruited at their first booking visit at an urban maternity hospital. Women completed five self-administered questionnaires, once during pregnancy and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postpartum. Each survey included a pain diagram to determine the prevalence of PPGP at each time point. At 12 months postpartum, women with persistent PPGP completed the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ), which assesses symptom severity and activity limitation. Ethical approval was granted by the University and site hospital. Analysis involved descriptive statistics (proportions).
Findings
Over two-thirds of women, 67.9%, reported PPGP during pregnancy, two-thirds (68.8%) of whom had persistent PPGP in the first three months postpartum. This proportion dropped to 51.2% between 3-6 months, 40.5% between 6-9 months and 33.3% between 9-12 months postpartum. At 12 months postpartum, average PGQ scores were: 20.5% (SD15.7) for the total PGQ score, 25.3% (SD18.0) for the symptom subscale and 19.2% (SD15.8) for the activity limitation subscale. Almost three-quarters of all women, 71.7%, experienced some degree of difficulty when handling/lifting their child.
Conclusion and implications
PPGP is common during pregnancy and persists one year after childbirth in one third of women. While severe symptoms were uncommon between 9 to 12 months postpartum, most women experienced some activity limitation. Women reporting PPGP should be followed-up postpartum, and early management strategies should be provided to avoid chronicity.
Authors
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Francesca Wuytack
(Trinity College Dublin)
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Deirdre Daly
(Trinity College Dublin)
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Elizabeth Curtis
(Trinity College Dublin)
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Cecily Begley
(Trinity College Dublin)
Topic Area
Topics: Maternity Care
Session
MC1 » Maternity Care 1 (10:30 - Wednesday, 9th November, Lecture Theatre 0.32)
Presentation Files
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