Bakgrund: Bäckensmärta är en vanlig problematik under graviditet och postpartum. Uppkomsten av problematiken beror på de olika förändringar kvinnans kropp genomgår under graviditeten. Det finns ett antal olika tester som en fysioterapeut kan utföra för att diagnostisera smärtan, såsom P4-test, Patrick´s, FABER, Gaenslens´s test, distraktions test, sidliggande kompression, sacrum tryck och modifierad Trendelenburg´s test. Sedan finns det olika behandlingsalternativ såsom akupunktur, TENS, manipulationer, mobilisering, bäckenbälte och olika träningsformer men det finns inte en stark evidens kring alla dessa. Den kunskap som lärs ut under grundutbildningen ger inte mycket redskap för hur en fysioterapeut ska arbeta med graviditetsrelaterad bäckensmärta. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att beskriva kunskaper och erfarenheter från fysioterapeuter inom kvinnohälsa med kompetens att behandla patienter med graviditetsrelaterad bäckensmärta under graviditet och postpartum Metod: En kvalitativ intervjustudie där fyra fysioterapeuter som arbetar inom kvinnohälsa intervjuades. Insamlad data analyserades enligt kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultat: Dataanalysen resulterade i fyra kategorier, grundutbildningen ger basal kunskap, vidareutbildningar fördjupar kunskapen, beprövad erfarenhet prioriteras i mötet med patienten, fysioterapeutens undersökning och behandling av bäckensmärta. Konklusion: Grundutbildningen i fysioterapi upplevdes ge basala kunskaper men sakna djupare kunskap angående kvinnohälsa och graviditetsrelaterad bäckensmärta. Vidareutbildningar inom kvinnohälsa var till stor nytta för att ge god vård åt patienter med bäckensmärta under och efter graviditet. Det upplevdes viktigt att beakta patientens helhetssituation, utifrån ett biopsykosocialt förhållningssätt, ta en noggrann anamnes och kunna bemöta patienten empatiskt. Fysioterapeuterna upplevde det viktigt att ge råd om att tänka på att sköta om sin hälsa och få egen tid. Den fysioterapeutiska undersökningen av graviditetsrelaterad bäckensmärta bör innehålla ett P4-test, ASLR, modifierat trendelenburg och palpation runt bäckenet. I behandlingen bör patienten få ett individuellt träningsprogram med bålstabiliserande övningar för att stärka glutealmuskulaturen. Akupunktur kan vara relevant som smärtstillande behandling. / Background: Pelvic pain is a common problem during pregnancy and postpartum. The emergence of the problem is due to the various changes the woman's body undergoes during pregnancy. There are a number of different tests that a physiotherapist can perform to diagnose the pain, such as the P4 test, Patrick's, FABER's, Gaenslen's test, distraction test, lateral compression, sacrum pressure and modified Trendelenburg's test. Then there are various treatment options such as acupuncture, TENS, manipulations, mobilization, pelvic girdle belt and various forms of exercise, but there are not strong evidence around all of these. The knowledge taught during basic education does not provide much tools for how a physiotherapist should work with pregnancy-related pelvic pain. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the knowledge and experience of physiotherapists in women's health with competence to treat patients with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy and postpartum. Method: A qualitative interview study where four physiotherapists working in women's health were interviewed. Collected data was analyzed according to qualitative content analysis. Results: The data analysis resulted in four categories, the basic training provides basic knowledge, further education deepens the knowledge, proven experience is prioritized in meeting with the patient, the physiotherapist's examination and treatment of pelvic pain. Conclusion: The basic education in physiotherapy was perceived to provide basic knowledge but lack deeper knowledge regarding women's health and pregnancy-related pelvic pain. Further education in women's health was of great benefit in providing good care to patients with pelvic pain during and after pregnancy. It is important to consider the patient's overall situation, based on a biopsychosocial approach, take a careful history and be able to treat the patient empathetically. The physiotherapists felt it was important to give advice on thinking about taking care of oneself and having personal time. The physiotherapeutic examination of pregnancy-related pelvic pain should include a P4 test, ASLR, modified Trendelenburg and palpation around the pelvis. The patient should receive an individual training program with posterior stabilizing exercises to strengthen the gluteal muscles. Acupuncture can be relevant as a pain-relieving treatment.

The prevalence of low back pain (LBP) is higher in pregnant women compared to women of the same age in a general population. Pregnancy-related LBP persists 6 years after pregnancy in 16% of women. Consequently, pregnancy represents a specific risk for LBP and persistent LBP. Pregnancy-related LBP is usually studied as a single entity, however, only one subgroup of LBP, i.e. pelvic girdle pain (PGP), seems to be associated with pregnancy. Accordingly, possible differences in subgroups of patients with LBP are unknown. The aims of this thesis were the following: 1) to describe the prevalence of clinically classified subgroups of women with LBP in a cohort (no LBP, lumbar pain, PGP, and combined pain (PGP and lumbar pain)) during pregnancy and postpartum, and 2) to determine if there was a disparity in the course, health-related quality of life (HRQL), pain intensity, disability, depressive symptoms, or muscle function in subgroups of the cohort, and 3) to identify predictors for having persistent pregnancy-related PGP postpartum. Consecutively-enrolled pregnant women were classified into LBP subgroups by mechanical assessment of the lumbar spine, pelvic pain provocation tests, standard history, and pain drawings. All women answered questionnaires (background data, EQ-5D). Women with LBP completed the Oswestry Disability Index and pain measures. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to evaluate depressive symptoms at 3 months postpartum (cut-off ≥10). Trunk muscle endurance, hip muscle strength, and gait speed were investigated. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify predictors from self-reports and clinical examination. At the 12-18 gestational week evaluation, 118/308 (38%) women had no LBP, 33 (11%) had lumbar pain, 101 (33%) had PGP, and 56 (18%) had combined pain. Three months postpartum, 183/272 (67%) women had no LBP, 29 (11%) had lumbar pain, 46 (17%) had PGP, and 14 (5%) had combined pain. Pregnant women with combined pain were most affected in terms of HRQL, pain intensity, and disability. Depressive symptoms were three times more prevalent in women with LBP (27/87, 31%) than in women without LBP (17/180, 9%). Women with PGP and/or combined pain had lower values for trunk muscle endurance, hip extensor strength and gait speed compared to women without LBP. Postpartum, 16-20% of the women had persistent combined pain or PGP, whereas 1/29 had lumbar pain. Predictors for persistent PGP or combined pain were work dissatisfaction, older age, combined pain in early pregnancy, and low endurance of the back flexors. In conclusion, women with combined pain were identified to be a target group since they had the lowest recovery rate and since the classification of combined pain was found to be a predictor for persistent PGP or combined pain postpartum. The hypothesis of an association between muscle dysfunction and PGP was strengthened. Based on the finding of high comorbidity of postpartum depressive symptoms and LBP, it seems important to screen for and consider treatment strategies for both symptoms.

Women can face a wide range of pelvic floor dysfunctions following pregnancy, ranging from urinary incontinence to pelvic pain. Unfortunately, these problems are not routinely checked for in postpartum check-ups and women do not always bring it to the physician’s attention. Strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles may be able to help women prevent these disorders and improve these women’s lifestyles. The purpose of this thesis was to review and analyze different trials to determine if different pelvic floor dysfunctions (urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic girdle pain) can be treated using pelvic floor muscle training in the postpartum. After reviewing the literature, it was determined that Pelvic floor muscle training may be effective in treating Urinary incontinence, but there is a lack of research to state that it helps treat sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain. Pelvic floor muscle training is a conservative non-invasive treatment and very simple for women to do on their own, therefore more research should be performed to see if this can be a simple fix to a plethora of problems women face in the postpartum.

Title: Methods of secondary prevention of the pelvic floor after childbirth Objectives: This is a theoretical work with a descriptive-analytical part. It includes an analysis of the literature from available sources, an analysis of active approaches in the secondary prevention of the pelvic floor and the creation exercise unit for further research. Methods: Literature analysis including processing of information from available sources. Results: Handbook of pelvic floor training with methodical descriptions. Keywords: Pelvic girdle, pregnancy, gynecological weaknesses after childbirth, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, sexual dysfunction, pelvic floor examination, Arnold Kegel method, Ludmila Mojžíšová method, Alexander method, Feldenkrais method, Cantienica, exercise unit

Körperliche Aktivität während der Schwangerschaft wirkt sich positiv auf die Gesundheit von Mutter und Kind aus. Trotzdem werden Schwangere häufig gewarnt, sich aufgrund der abnehmenden Muskelkraft, den nachgiebigeren Bändern und Sehnen sowie der verschlechterten Stabilität beim Sport verletzen zu können. Um Verletzungen während der Schwangerschaft vorbeugen zu können, wird in dieser Arbeit erstmalig der Einfluss von Schwangerschaft auf den Muskel-Sehnen-Komplex der unteren Extremitäten untersucht. Weiterhin werden der Effekt auf das statische Gleichgewicht und der Einsatz eines Schwangerschaftsgurtes als potentielle Präventionsmaßnahme gegen Sturzunfälle überprüft. Zur Untersuchung des Muskel-Sehnen-Komplexes wurde die Morphologie des m. vastus lateralis, die Muskelkraft der Knieextensoren und die Eigenschaften der Patellasehne am Anfang und am Ende der Schwangerschaft sowie ein halbes Jahr nach der Entbindung mittels Ultraschall und Dynamometrie analysiert. Das Gleichgewicht wurde anhand der Grenzen der Stabilität nach anterior und posterior und anhand des Körperschwankens im ruhigen Stand auf einer Kraftmessplatte bei Schwangeren in den unterschiedlichen Schwangerschaftstrimestern und bei Nicht-Schwangeren mit und ohne Schwangerschaftsgurt beurteilt. Diese Arbeit liefert relevante Erkenntnisse, die für die Beurteilung des Verletzungsrisikos von Schwangeren und für die Entwicklung geeigneter präventiver Maßnahmen nützlich sind. Es wurde zum wiederholten Male bestätigt, dass Schwangerschaft zu einer Verschlechterung der posturalen Stabilität führt. Ein Schwangerschaftsgurt stellt jedoch keine geeignete Methode zur Verbesserung der Stabilität dar. Während Muskelmorphologie und Sehnensteifigkeit keinen negativen Einfluss zeigen, könnte die zunehmende Sehnenruhelänge zu einer vergrößerten Gelenkbeweglichkeit beitragen und das Risiko für Verletzungen und Stürze erhöhen. / Physical activity during pregnancy has beneficial effects on maternal and fetal health. However, pregnant women are frequently cautioned when exercising since a loss in muscle strength, an increased compliance of ligaments and tendons as well as impairments in postural stability are assumed to lead to injuries in pregnant women. This thesis investigates for the first time the effect of pregnancy on the muscle-tendon unit of the lower extremities for the prevention of injuries during pregnancy. Furthermore, this thesis analyzes the effect of pregnancy on static postural stability and examines whether a maternity support belt is an appropriate method for fall prevention in pregnant women. To investigate the muscle-tendon unit, the morphology of the vastus lateralis muscle, muscle strength of the knee extensors and the properties of the patellar tendon were analyzed in the early and late stage of pregnancy as well as six months after delivery by means of ultrasound and dynamometry. Balance ability was assessed determining the limits of stability in the anterior and posterior directions and the postural sway during motionless upright standing on a force plate in pregnant women in different trimesters of pregnancy and in non-pregnant women with and without maternity support belt. This thesis provides relevant evidence for the assessment of the risk of injury in pregnant women and the development of appropriate prevention strategies. It confirmed that pregnancy is accompanied by impaired postural stability. However, a maternity support belt is not an appropriate method to improve stability. While muscle morphology and tendon stiffness were not negatively affected during pregnancy, the increase in tendon rest length might contribute to an increased joint mobility that may increase the fall and injury risk.