Perceptions and Experiences of Barriers to Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Among Pregnant Women: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a nuanced understanding of the multi-factorial barriers to pelvic floor muscle training from the lived experiences of pregnant women and to generate actionable insights that can transform current antenatal care practices to better support maternal adherence.

METHODS

This qualitative study was conducted in August 2025. Participants were recruited from a tertiary hospital using purposive sampling based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The sample size was guided by the principle of data saturation. An interview guide was developed based on the Protection Motivation Theory, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method to identify and refine key themes.

RESULTS

Three themes were identified in this study: mixed information sources, negative appraisal process, and maladaptive patterns. These themes strongly reflect the real-world barriers to pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed the real-world barriers and genuine needs of pregnant women regarding pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy, transcending the limitations of traditional health education. These findings not only highlight the necessity of shifting the focus from postpartum rehabilitation to antenatal prevention but also provide an empirical basis for developing more individualized, woman-centered prenatal care interventions.