Postpartum urinary incontinence: a comparison of vaginal delivery, elective, and emergent cesarean section.
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of delivery on the pelvic floor and whether cesarean section (C/S) can prevent pelvic floor injury. Five hundred thirty nine women were divided into three groups according to the delivery method adopted: elective C/S, emergent C/S, and vaginal delivery. A urinary incontinence questionnaire survey was conducted around 1 year postpartum. Emergent C/S may be a major risk factor for postpartum urinary incontinence and interfere with the benefit of elective C/S for preventing pelvic floor injury. Hence, not all C/S deliveries can reduce the likelihood of postpartum urinary incontinence. The key lies in whether the C/S is performed before labor.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 222 Mai-Chin Rd., Keelung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Hung-Yen
HY
Chin
Min-Chi
MC
Chen
Yu-Hung
YH
Liu
Kuo-Hwa
KH
Wang
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000293:injuries*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*