IUGA Meeting 2023 - Allied Health Session – Antenatal Prevention and Perinatal Identification and Management of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

This year we had an entire morning dedicated to Allied Health Professionals (AHP). The room was full of professionals who interacted and discussed relevant issues regarding maternal health care. Among the topics discussed were the findings regarding the incidence and prevalence of pelvic floor disorders. The main findings of the ICI 7 on the prevention and treatment of pelvic floor disorders were discussed. The take-home message was that continent-pregnant women should be offered a supervised Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT)  program (including regular health professional contact) that is intensive and aimed at strengthening PFMs to prevent antepartum and postpartum UI (up to 6 months) UI. We heard about equity and improving maternal health in rural areas and specific initiatives to that end. We also learned from the NHS experience regarding the importance of multidisciplinary work and how to develop and improve the perinatal pelvic health service. We heard about online resources for women and the use of social media. We watched a video with reports from professionals worldwide about the difficulties in antenatal management and prevention. We had a lecture showing the importance of effective communication between professionals and patients. And we ended with a discussion of multidisciplinary cases that was very interactive, with everyone's participation.