Comparison of trunk and pelvic floor muscle function, pain intensity, quality of life and body image in primiparous and nulliparous women with normal or cesarean delivery

Aim: The aim of our study is to compare trunk stabilization and pelvic floor muscle strength, pain intensity, pelvic floor-related quality of life and body image in primiparous women who gave birth normally or by cesarean section and nulliparous women. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 women who had primiparous (n=32) who had normal delivery, primiparous (n=33) who had cesarean delivery, and nulliparous (n=35) participated in the study. Socio-demographic data of all women participating in the study and delivery-related data of primiparous women were recorded. The pain intensity felt by the women in the lumbar, abdominal and pelvic regions in the last 24 hours was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (0-10); trunk stabilization level was assessed using the 5-level trunk stabilization test developed by Sahrmann; and the McGill protocol was used to assess the abdominopelvic muscle function (plank, bridge and right-left side plank tests), and pelvic floor muscle activity was assessed using digital palpation. In the study, the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7) were used to determine symptoms of pelvic floor insufficiency and quality of life related to the pelvic floor, and the Body Image Questionnaire (BIQ) was used to determine body image. Results: The mean age of the women participating in the study was 32.41±6.09 for primiparous women who had normal birth; 33.21±4.54 for primiparous women who had cesarean section; and 31.51±3.67 for nulliparous women (p>0,05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups when comparing pain intensity in the lumbar, abdominal and pelvic regions, trunk stabilization, pelvic floor muscle strength, abdominopelvic muscle functions, PFDI-20, PFIQ-7 and BIQ scores (p>0,05). Conclusion: The results of the study showed that giving birth and the type of delivery did not have a significant effect on women's trunk and pelvic floor muscles, pain intensity, quality of life and body image in the postpartum period. However, our results revealed the relationship between pelvic floor symptoms and pelvic floor-related quality of life with pain in the lumbar, abdominal and pelvic regions in women, regardless of giving birth and delivery type. Keywords: Body Image; Pelvic Floor; Primiparous; Trunk Stabilization; Type of Delivery.