Peran senam kegel dalam pemulihan fisiologis ibu postpartum: A literature review
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33024/hjk.v20i6.3348
Kegel Exercise Physiological Recovery Postpartum
Abstract
Background: The postpartum period is a phase of physiological recovery after childbirth that is often accompanied by various health problems, including perineal wounds, postpartum pain, pelvic floor muscle weakness, urinary incontinence, and sexual dysfunction. One of the non-pharmacological interventions that may support maternal recovery during the postpartum period is Kegel exercise.
Purpose: To identify the role of Kegel exercise in the physiological recovery of postpartum mothers based on published research findings.
Method: This literature review employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method. The article search strategy was developed using the PICOS framework, consisting of P (problem, patient, or population), I (intervention, prognostic factor, or exposure), C (comparison or control), O (outcome), and S (study). Literature searches were conducted through Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases using the keywords “Kegel exercise” AND “postpartum” AND “pelvic floor muscle training” AND “perineal wound healing” AND “urinary incontinence” AND “postpartum recovery”. A total of 1,502 articles were identified, followed by a screening process based on the study topic and inclusion criteria, resulting in 10 articles selected for analysis in this review.
Results: The findings of the literature review demonstrated that Kegel exercise was effective in accelerating perineal wound healing, improving pelvic floor muscle strength, reducing postpartum pain, decreasing urinary incontinence, and enhancing sexual function and quality of life among postpartum women.
Conclusion: Kegel exercise works by improving blood circulation and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles after childbirth. Therefore, Kegel exercise can be considered an effective, safe, and easy-to-perform non-pharmacological intervention to support the physiological recovery of postpartum mothers.
Suggestion: Future researchers are advised to conduct studies with more robust designs and larger sample sizes to obtain more comprehensive evidence regarding the effectiveness of Kegel exercises for postpartum maternal health.
Keywords: Kegel Exercise; Physiological Recovery; Postpartum.
Downloads
References
Alharbi, J. H., Abdul Manan, N. I., & Hantira, N. Y. (2026). Empowering postpartum women through health education on Kegel exercises: effects on pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, and sexual function. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 8, 1746383.
Astutik, R. Y., Santiana, M. R. P., Siwi, R. P. Y., Nursanti, D. P., & Istighosah, N. (2024). Kegel Exercises For Perineal Wound Healing In Postpartum At The Driyorejo Gresik Health Center. Journal for Quality in Women's Health, 7(2), 153-158.
Dhanuja, V., KalaBarathi, S., & Jagadeeswari, J. (2024). Effect of kegel exercise and prone position on after pain among postpartum mothers. Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences, 16(Suppl 3), S2006.
Fitriani, L., & Wahyuni, S. (2021). Buku Ajar Asuhan Kebidanan Masa Nifas. Yogyakarta: Deepublish.
Husnida, N., Iswanti, T., Yuningsih, N., & Sutianingsih, H. (2022). Pengaruh Paritas, Umur Ibu Dan Berat Bayi Terhadap Ruputure Perineal Pada Ibu Bersalin Di Puskesmas Mandala Rangkasbitung Tahun 2020. Journal of Midwifery and Health Research, 1(1), 1-9.
Jahriani, N., Sitorus, R. A., Rohemah, E., & Widyaningrum, P. (2024). The Effect Of Kegel Exercise In The Recovery Process Of Postpartum Mothers With Normal Delivery At Rismala Clinic, West Kisaran District. Jurnal EduHealth, 15(03), 491-498.
Karo, H. Y. K., Sihombing, F., & Rhamawan, C. (2022). Senam Kegel Sebagai Upaya Mengurangi Nyeri Luka Perineum Pada Ibu Nifas di Klinik Bersalin Pera Simalingkar B Medan Tahun 2022. Jurnal Visi Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, 3(2), 118-128.
Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia. (2014). Lindungi Ibu dan Bayi dengan Imunisasi. Diakses dari: https://kemkes.go.id/eng/%20lindungi-ibu-dan-bayi-dengan-imunisasi
Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia. (2024). Inkotinensia Urin. Diakses dari: https://keslan.kemkes.go.id/view_artikel/3114/inkotinensia-urin
Khalid, A., Fatima, S., Khan, W., Zia, I., & Ahmad, J. (2022). Comparison of Kegel Exercises and Stabilization Exercises for Urinary Incontinence in Postpartum Females: Kegel Exercises and Stabilization Exercises for Urinary Incontinence in Postpartum Females. Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences, 179-182.
Moossdorff-Steinhauser, H. F., Berghmans, B. C., Spaanderman, M. E., & Bols, E. M. (2021). Prevalence, incidence and bothersomeness of urinary incontinence between 6 weeks and 1 year post-partum: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International urogynecology journal, 32(7), 1675-1693.
Ojukwu, C. P., Nsoke, G. T., Ede, S., Ezeigwe, A. U., Chukwu, S. C., & Anekwu, E. M. (2023). Comparison of self-reported ability to perform Kegel’s exercise pre-and post-coital penetration in postpartum women. Libyan Journal of Medicine, 18(1), 2199969.
Prasad, D. E. S., & Sumathy, D. G. (2025). Effect Of Kegel’s Exercises On Postpartum Urinary Incontinence And Quality Of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial. TPM–Testing, Psychometrics, Methodology in Applied Psychology, 32(S1 (2025): Posted 12 May), 990-996.
Pujiastuti, W., Yuniyanti, B., & Masini, M. (2021). Efektivitas Senam Nifas dan Latihan Kegel Dalam Mencegah Inkontinensia Urin Masa Nifas. Bhamada: Jurnal Ilmu dan Teknologi Kesehatan (E-Journal), 12(1), 78-82.
Putri, N. A., & Afni, R. (2022). Asuhan Kebidanan Pada Ibu Nifas Dengan Senam Kegel Untuk Penyembuhan Luka Perineum Di Pmb Dince Safrina, Sst Kota Pekanbaru Tahun 2021. Jurnal Kebidanan Terkini (Current Midwifery Journal), 2(2), 153-158.
Sulala, A., & Nikmah, N. (2024). Differences in Perineal Wound Healing Between Doing Kegel Exercises and Not Doing Kegel Exercises. Indonesian Vocational Research Journal, 3(2), 15-19.
Suryoadji, K. A., As’syifa, S. B., Putra, A. H. S., & Kusuma, F. (2024). Perbandingan risiko inkontinensia urin tipe stress antara persalinan normal dan sectio caesarea di populasi wanita Indonesia: systematic review dan meta-analisis. Khazanah: Jurnal Mahasiswa, 16(01), 1-6.
Syairaji, M., Nurdiati, D. S., Wiratama, B. S., Prüst, Z. D., Bloemenkamp, K. W., & Verschueren, K. J. (2024). Trends and causes of maternal mortality in Indonesia: a systematic review. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 24(1), 515.
Torgbenu, E. L., Aimakhu, C. O., & Morhe, E. K. (2021). Effect of kegel exercises on pelvic floor muscle disorders in prenatal and postnatal women-a literature review. Current Women's Health Reviews, 17(3), 202-207.
Ummah, S. N., Rahmawati, N. A., & Yulianti, A. (2024). The Effect of Kegel Exercise on Pelvic Floor Muscle Endurance in Postpartum Mothers With Spontaneous Birth With Perineal Tears. Jurnal Kesehatan, 301-307.
Yuliadia, K., Kartini, F., Rokhanawati, D., & Astuti, D. A. (2025). The Effect of Kegel Exercises on the Healing of Perineal Wounds in Normal Postpartum Mothers at Morowali District Hospital. STRADA: Jurnal Ilmiah Kesehatan, 14(2), 174-185.
Yunifitri, A., & Aulia, D. L. N. (2022). Senam Kegel Pengaruhnya Terhadap Penyembuhan Luka Perenium Pada Ibu Nifas. Zona Kebidanan: Program Studi Kebidanan Universitas Batam, 13(1).
Zulliati, Z., Zulmi, D., Munthe, M. B. G., Sulikah, S., & Indrayanti, I. (2023). Buku Ajar Asuhan Persalinan Berbasis Evidence Based. Jakarta Selatan: Mahakarya Citra Utama Group.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Holistik Jurnal Kesehatan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
