Exploring an innovative research study which aims to prevent pelvic floor muscle injury during childbirth

June is Pelvic Organ Prolapse Awareness Month! Pelvic Organ Prolapse is a condition where weakened pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue allows pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, rectum) to bulge into the vagina.

Due to the association between vaginal delivery and pelvic floor trauma, women who have a vaginal delivery are 5x more likely to experience prolapse. Yet there are currently no tools to reduce or prevent pelvic floor damage during vaginal delivery.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center is leading an innovative study at NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital to evaluate the impact of a device in preventing pelvic floor injuries and reducing time in labor for first-time moms. Urogynecologist Dr. Helai Hesham is Co-Principal Investigator of the EASE study, which evaluates if gradually pre-stretching the birth canal and surrounding pelvic floor muscles using the Materna Prep Device before vaginal delivery could reduce pelvic injury and shorten delivery time. Potential benefits that may help first-time moms include, shortened delivery time, preventing pelvic muscle injuries, minimized tearing, reduced need for instruments used during deliveries, reduced need for C-section, improved neonatal outcomes and reduced maternal recovery time.

The EASE study represents an exciting step towards expanding our toolkit for the prevention of pelvic floor muscle injury during vaginal delivery and subsequent pelvic organ prolapse. As Pelvic Organ Prolapse Awareness Month sheds light on the millions of women impacted by this condition, Columbia Ob/Gyn reaffirms its commitment to advancing the standard of pelvic health care through innovative research.