title: Changes in pelvic muscle strength and stress urinary incontinence associated with childbirth.
abstract: Pelvic muscle strength and stress urinary incontinence were studied in 20 nulliparous women at 32 to 36 antepartum weeks and 6 postpartum weeks. Measures used included a digital muscle strength score, observed incontinence, and urine flow interruption. Pelvic muscle strength declined from the antepartum to postpartum periods in women with vaginal births; however, women with greater antepartal pelvic muscle strength tended to preserve a higher level of strength during the postpartum period. In general, less pelvic muscle strength was found in women who demonstrated stress urinary incontinence.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, School of Nursing, Ann Arbor 48109.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Sampselle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009123:Muscle Hypotonia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D010298:Parity; D010388:Pelvis; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D014563:Urodynamics