Efficacy of the first trimester pelvic floor muscle strength and cervical length measurement in prediction of preterm birth

Efficacy of the first trimester pelvic floor muscle strength and cervical length measurement in prediction of preterm birth. Objective: To establish efficacy of pelvic floor muscle strength and cervical length measurement in prediction of preterm birth. Material and method: This study was conducted on pregnant women who have applied Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine for first trimester screening test during a period of 12 months. Cervical length measurement and pelvic floor muscle strength measurement were evaluated during first trimester screening. Peritron perineometer was used to evaluate pelvic floor muscle strength. Pregnant women were fallowed and pregnancy complications were noted. Study group consisted of patients with preterm labor. Control group consisted of pregnant women whose labor was not complicated with preterm labor. ROC analysis was used to determine the distinctive power of the pelvic floor muscle strength in predicting preterm birth. p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Total of 303 pregnant women was included in the study. Mean age and BMI were 29.4 ± 5.5 year and 25.3 ± 4.6kg / m², respectively. The median gravid and parity were 1 and 2, respectively. 91 women (30%) were nulligravid. 114 (37.6%) women were nulliparous. 206 (68%) women had no history of abortion. Both resting and maximum squeeze pressure were significantly higher in study group when compared control group. No significant difference was found in cervical length. Conclusion: We established that first trimester pelvic floor muscle strength was weaker in patients with preterm labor. Pelvic floor muscle strength assessment may have a role in prediction of preterm delivery. Key words: Pelvic floor, cervical length, first trimester, preterm delivery.