Pelvic floor function and anatomy after childbirth.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate pelvic floor muscle function and anatomy after childbirth in continent women differing in obstetric history.


METHODS
Young, continent women, age range 20-40 years, were recruited into 3 groups: 1. elective, prelabor cesarean delivery (n =12); 2. vaginal delivery (n = 15); and 3. age-matched nulliparas as controls (n = 13). Pelvic floor muscle strength was measured by a perineometer and also assessed by vaginal palpation. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic floor at rest and on maximal strain was performed. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 10.0 (Chicago, Illinois) for Windows (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington); p < 0.05 was considered significant.


RESULTS
Pelvic floor muscle strength was not different between the vaginal delivery and cesarean groups. The descent of the bladder and cervix on straining was greater in the subjects who delivered vaginally than in the cesarean delivery and nulliparous groups. There was a positive and significant correlation between the duration of labor and the area of the levator sling and also between birth weight and the descent of the cervix on straining.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study show that delivery method does not affect pelvic muscle strength.
Baytur
Yesim Bulbul
YB
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and of Radiology, Celal Bayar University, School of Medicine, Manisa, Turkey. yesim_bulbul@yahoo.com
Serter
Selim
S
Tarhan
Serdar
S
Uyar
Yildiz
Y
Inceboz
Umit
U
Pabuscu
Yuksel
Y
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D036801:Parturition; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy