Postpartum stress urinary incontinence remains a prevalent and distressing condition among women after childbirth. Breathing training is increasingly recognized as a potential strategy for supporting pelvic floor function. However, little is known about how women experience home-based breathing training and what they expect from related assistive devices. This qualitative interview study explores the experiences of women with postpartum stress urinary incontinence during home-based breathing training and identifies their needs for a training device.
A qualitative study was conducted at a postpartum rehabilitation center between June 2025 and August 2025, involving women with postpartum stress urinary incontinence who had participated in home-based breathing training. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Eighteen postpartum women participated. Findings revealed that women perceived home-based breathing training as convenient and flexible, but reported barriers related to confidence, environment, and motivation. Participants' attitudes toward the breathing-training device were found to be both positive and skeptical. They highlighted the importance of functional features (guidance, feedback, motivation) as well as practical considerations (comfort, convenience).
The convenience and flexibility of home-based breathing training appeared especially important for postpartum women, yet adherence to practice was hindered by multiple barriers. Participants exhibited various amounts of enthusiasm and willingness toward device-assisted home-based breathing training. Their expectations centered on functional features and practical considerations, and these provide a crucial foundation for the development of future breathing-training devices.
International urogynecology journal. 2026 Jul 25 [Epub ahead of print]
Qianwei Chen, Jie Li, Si Lu, Tianhong Peng, Xiaoyun Peng, Wenzhi Cai
Department of Nursing, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Number 1333, Xinhu Road, Baoan District, Shenzhen, 518101, Guangdong, China., Department of Obstetric Rehabilitation Clinic, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518101, China., Department of Nursing, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Number 1333, Xinhu Road, Baoan District, Shenzhen, 518101, Guangdong, China. .