Pelvic structure and function at 1 month compared to 7 months by dynamic magnetic resonance after vaginal birth.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine whether changes exist in location and movement of pelvic floor structures at 1 and 7 months postpartum.


METHODS
Midsagittal magnetic resonance images from 13 primiparous women with birth events associated with levator ani damage at early ( approximately 1 month) and late ( approximately 7 months) postpartum time points were analyzed. Pelvic floor structure locations at rest and displacements from rest to maximum Kegel and Valsalva were determined. Urogenital and levator hiatus diameters were measured as well.


RESULTS
The perineal body was 7.1 mm and anal verge 7.9 mm higher at 7 months postpartum (P = .003). Both the urogenital and levator hiatus diameters were smaller at 7 months (P < .05). Displacement during Kegel and Valsalva was similar between the 2 time points.


CONCLUSIONS
Resting locations of the perineal body and anal verge are higher at 7 months postpartum, but the amount of movement during Kegel or Valsalva does not change.
Yousuf
Aisha A
AA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. aishayou@med.umich.edu
DeLancey
John O L
JO
Brandon
Catherine J
CJ
Miller
Janis M
JM
D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014621:Vagina
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 1999 Jan;82(1):63-7
10192487
Radiographics. 2008 Jul-Aug;28(4):949-67
18635623
Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 1999;10(5):300-7
10543338
Obstet Gynecol. 2003 Jan;101(1):46-53
12517644
Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Dec;98(6):1004-10
11755545
Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Feb;109(2 Pt 1):295-302
17267827
Ann Rheum Dis. 1982 Apr;41(2):126-8
7073339
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Aug;185(2):427-32
11518904
Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 1996;7(6):321-4
9203480
J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc. 1999 Feb;6(1):85-9
9971858
Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 2007 Jul;18(7):773-8
17043740
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006 May;194(5):1427-33
16579940
Lancet. 1996 Jun 15;347(9016):1658-61
8642960
Rofo. 2003 Aug;175(8):1100-5
12886479
Lancet. 1984 Sep 8;2(8402):546-50
6147604
Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Jan;107(1):144-9
16394052
Obstet Gynecol. 2003 Aug;102(2):223-8
12907092