Urinary retention in the post-partum period. The relationship between obstetric factors and the post-partum post-void residual bladder volume.
OBJECTIVE
The three objectives of this study are: to investigate the incidence of post-partum urinary retention after vaginal delivery, to investigate the relationship between various obstetric parameters and the post-partum post-void residual bladder volume and to study the natural progression of the post-void residual bladder volume in patients with covert post-partum urinary retention.


METHODS
Women who had a vaginal delivery (n = 691) in a teaching hospital during a 2-month period were studied. They were classified into three groups: normal patients, those with overt urinary retention, and covert urinary retention. Their day 1 post-partum post-void residual bladder volume were recorded and analyzed with respect to the obstetric parameters. Patients with covert retention were followed up daily with ultrasound to monitor their post-void residual volume.


RESULTS
The incidences of overt and covert retention in our unit were 4.9% and 9.7%, respectively. The overall incidence of post-partum urinary retention after vaginal delivery was 14.6%. The duration of the first and second stages of labor were significantly associated with the post-partum post-void residual bladder volume. In all patients with covert retention, their post-void residual volume returned to normal within 4 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Post-partum urinary retention is a common phenomenon that may be related to the process of parturition. Covert retention is a self-limiting phenomenon and specific treatment is unnecessary.
Yip
S K
SK
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT.
Brieger
G
G
Hin
L Y
LY
Chung
T
T
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007747:Labor Stage, First; D007748:Labor Stage, Second; D007749:Labor Stage, Third; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000502:physiology; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*