Effects of carrying a pregnancy and of method of delivery on urinary incontinence: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to identify risk factors associated with urinary incontinence in women three months after giving birth. METHODS: Urinary incontinence before and during pregnancy was assessed at study enrolment early in the third trimester. Incontinence was re-assessed three months postpartum. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the role of maternal and obstetric factors in causing postpartum urinary incontinence. This prospective cohort study in 949 pregnant women in Quebec, Canada was nested within a randomised controlled trial of prenatal perineal massage. RESULTS: Postpartum urinary incontinence was increased with prepregnancy incontinence (adjusted odds ratio [adj0R] 6.44, 95% CI 4.15, 9.98), incontinence beginning during pregnancy (adjOR 1.93, 95% CI 1.32, 2.83), and higher prepregnancy body mass index (adjOR 1.07/unit of BMI, 95% CI 1.03,1.11). Caesarean section was highly protective (adjOR 0.27, 95% CI 0.14, 0.50). While there was a trend towards increasing incontinence with forceps delivery (adjOR 1.73, 95% CI 0.96, 3.13) this was not statistically significant. The weight of the baby, episiotomy, the length of the second stage of labour, and epidural analgesia were not predictive of urinary incontinence. Nor was prenatal perineal massage, the randomised controlled trial intervention. When the analysis was limited to women having their first vaginal birth, the same risk factors were important, with similar adjusted odds ratios. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary incontinence during pregnancy is extremely common, affecting over half of pregnant women. Urinary incontinence beginning during pregnancy roughly doubles the likelihood of urinary incontinence at 3 months postpartum, regardless whether delivery is vaginal or by Caesarean section.     

Risk of stress urinary incontinence twelve years after the first pregnancy and delivery

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the impact of onset of stress urinary incontinence in first pregnancy or postpartum period, for the risk of symptoms 12 years after the first delivery. METHODS: In a longitudinal cohort study, 241 women answered validated questions about stress urinary incontinence after first delivery and 12 years later. RESULTS: Twelve years after first delivery the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence was 42% (102 of 241). The 12-year incidence was 30% (44 of 146). The prevalence of stress urinary incontinence 12 years after first pregnancy and delivery was significantly higher (P<.01) in women with onset during first pregnancy (56%, 37 of 66) and in women with onset shortly after delivery (78%, 14 of 18) compared with those without initial symptoms (30%, 44 of 146). In 70 women who had onset of symptoms during first pregnancy or shortly after the delivery but remission 3 months postpartum, a total of 40 (57%) had stress urinary incontinence 12 years later. In 11 women with onset of symptoms during the first pregnancy or shortly after delivery but no remission 3 months postpartum, a total of 10 (91%) had stress urinary incontinence 12 years later. Cesarean during first delivery was significantly associated with a lower risk of incontinence. Other obstetric factors were not significantly associated with the risk of incontinence 12 years later. Patients who were overweight before their first pregnancy were at increased risk. CONCLUSION: Onset of stress urinary incontinence during first pregnancy or puerperal period carries an increased risk of long-lasting symptoms.     

The impact of pregnancy and vaginal delivery on urinary incontinence

Objective

To identify women who had urinary incontinence (UI) before, during, and after pregnancy, and to determine whether women with symptoms of UI during pregnancy were the same women who had urinary incontinence postpartum.

Methods

All primigravid women who delivered within 1 year (1999) at the Charité Hospital in Berlin received a questionnaire about UI at 5 different time points during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Results

Of 610 eligible women, 411 (67.4%) completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of urinary incontinence increased significantly in the second half of pregnancy (26.3%, P < 0.001). Although the overall number of women who reported UI within 6 weeks after delivery (28.5%) was almost the same as the number reporting UI in the second half of pregnancy, approximately every second women changed from being continent to incontinent and vice versa.

Conclusion

The group of women who experienced UI postpartum was different from the group that experienced UI before delivery and vice versa. Pregnancy itself may influence pelvic floor function in a different way compared with vaginal delivery.     

分娩方式对产妇盆底支持组织功能的近期影响

目的 探讨不同分娩方式及产科相关因素对盆底支持组织功能的近期影响.方法 选取健康初产妇120例,其中阴道分娩72例(阴道分娩组),选择性剖宫产48例(剖宫产组),于分娩后6至8周间进行尿失禁问卷调查、盆底肌电图测定盆底肌肉收缩及舒张功能,并行相关性分析.结果 阴道分娩组与剖宫产组产妇分娩后SUI的发生率分别为21%(15/72)、10%(5/48).阴道分娩组盆底肌电图右侧活力值、功值分别为12.9±0.8和59±5,左右两侧平均功值为78±5;剖宫产组右侧活力值、功值分别为17.3±1.7和95±17,左右两侧平均功值109±15,两组各项值比较,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).产妇的年龄(P＜0.01)、分娩前体重指数(P＜0.01)、新生儿出生体重(P＜0.01)及第二产程时间(P=0.003)是产后发生SUI的高危因素;年龄、分娩前后体重指数差、第一产程时间、会阴侧切口长度和角度对盆底肌电图的部分测量值有影响.结论 阴道分娩后SUI发生率与选择性剖宫产相似;产科相关因素可以影响产后尿失禁的发生率及盆底肌肉收缩及舒张功能.     

The onset, recurrence and associated obstetric risk factors for urinary incontinence in the first 18 months after a first birth: an Australian nulliparous cohort study

Please cite this paper as: Gartland D, Donath S, MacArthur C, Brown S. The onset, recurrence and associated obstetric risk factors for urinary incontinence in the first 18?months after a first birth: an Australian nulliparous cohort study. BJOG 2012;119:1361-1369. Objective To investigate the contribution of obstetric risk factors to persistent urinary incontinence (UI) between 4 and 18?months postpartum. Design Prospective pregnancy cohort. Setting Six metropolitan public hospitals in Victoria, Australia. Sample A total of 1507 nulliparous women recruited to the Maternal Health Study in early pregnancy (≤24?weeks of gestation). Methods Data from hospital records and self-administered questionnaires/telephone interviews at ≤24 and 30-32?weeks of gestation and at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18?months postpartum analysed using logistic regression. Main outcome measures Persistent UI 4-18?months postpartum in women continent before pregnancy. Results Of the women who were continent before pregnancy, 44% reported UI 4-18?months postpartum, and 25% reported persistent UI (symptoms at multiple follow ups). Compared with spontaneous vaginal birth, women who had a caesarean before labour (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.4, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.2-0.9), in first-stage labour (aOR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.6) or in second-stage labour (aOR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-1.0) were less likely to report persistent UI 4-18?months postpartum. Prolonged second-stage labour in women who had an operative vaginal birth was associated with increased likelihood of UI (aOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3-4.6). Compared with women who were continent in pregnancy, women reporting UI in pregnancy had a seven-fold increase in odds of persistent UI (aOR 7.4, 95% CI 5.1-10.7). Conclusions Persistent UI is common after childbirth and is more likely following prolonged labour in combination with operative vaginal birth. The majority of women reporting persistent UI at 4-18?months postpartum also experienced symptoms in pregnancy.     

孕期及产后妇女发生尿失禁的影响因素

目的 探讨不同分娩方式对孕产妇发生尿失禁的影响和阴道分娩后发生产后压力性尿失禁(SUI)的相关因素.方法 选择2008年1-12月在首都医科大学附属北京妇产医院行产前检查并于分娩后6～8周复查的孕产妇788例.根据分娩方式不同分为剖宫产组212例、阴道顺产组534例、产钳助产组42例,将阴道顺产组和产钳助产组孕产妇合计后统计尿失禁发生情况.采用问卷调查方式了解各组孕产妇分娩方式及其与分娩有关的产科因素对产后SUI发生的影响.并使用盆底肌电图检测各组孕产妇盆底肌强度,了解产后SUI发生与盆底肌肉强度的关系.结果 (1)尿失禁发生率:孕期尿失禁总的发生率为15.4%(121/788),其中阴道顺产组为15.9%(85/534),产钳助产组为11.9%(5/42),剖宫产组为14.6%(31/212),3组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).产后6～8周SUI总的发生率为17.1%(135/788),其中阴道顺产组为19.1%(102/534),产钳助产组为26.2%(11/42),剖宫产组为10.4%(22/212).阴道顺产组产后SUI发生率明显低于产钳助产组,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);剖宫产组产后SUI发生率明显低于阴道顺产组,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).(2)不同产科因素对产后SUI的影响:阴道顺产组和产钳助产组孕产妇共发生尿失禁113例,未发生尿失禁463例,将尿失禁发生与否两类孕产妇的一般情况和产科因素进行单因素分析和logistic多元回归分析,了解其对产后SUI的影响.结果显示,分娩方式、新生儿出生体质量、孕期发生尿失禁是产后SUI的主要影响因素.剖宫产术可使产后SUI发病率降低(P<0.01),新生儿出生体质量增加、孕期发生尿失禁可使产后SUI的发生风险加大.对阴道分娩组和产钳助产组孕产妇分析发现,新生儿出生体质量增加、产钳助产、孕期发生尿失禁与产后SUI发病率升高有关(P均<0.01);而与分娩镇痛、产程时间、会阴侧切、产后哺乳、产后出血量、分娩孕周、引产与否、孕前体质量等无明显相关(P均>0.05).(3)盆底肌电图检测结果:剖宫产组孕产妇盆底肌活力值为(19.7±9.9)μv,做功值为(84.5±37.2)μv,峰值为(25.5±12.5)μv,均高于阴道顺产组和产钳助产组[两组均值为:活力值(14.8±8.4)μv、做功值(78.8±28.2)μv、峰值(19.7±11.8)μv].两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.01).阴道顺产组和产钳助产组中尿失禁孕产妇盆底肌放松值[均值为(1.7±1.8)μv]较非尿失禁孕产妇[均值为(3.0±3.9)μv]低,两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).尿失禁孕产妇放松值与活力值(r/a)比值为0.2±0.2,非尿失禁孕产妇r/a比值为0.3±0.5,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).阴道顺产组和产钳助产组孕产妇r/a比值为0.2±3.5,虽高于剖宫产组(0.2±0.2),但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 产钳助产及阴道顺产产妇的产后SUI发生率高于剖宫产.孕期发生尿失禁、产钳助产、新生儿出生体质量增加是产后SUI发生的高危因素.     

Postpartum urinary incontinence

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to identify prepregnancy, pregnancy and delivery correlates of urinary incontinence postpartum (PP UI) as reported by women in a cross-sectional population sample. METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in 1998 in a random population sample of 3900 20- to 59-year-old women. The present study includes 376 women who had their last delivery during 1993-96. RESULTS: UI immediately after childbirth and 6 months thereafter was reported by 23.4% and 2.7%, respectively. PP UI was strongly associated with UI both before and during the present pregnancy, explaining 37.5% and 51.7% of postpartum UI, respectively. Eight percent experienced their first UI episode ever immediately after the delivery. Among women undergoing a cesarean section 8.8% reported postpartum UI, as contrasted with 24.9% in other women. Postpartum UI was positively associated with perineal suturing but un-associated with labor augmentation, episiotomy, birth weight, and breast-feeding. CONCLUSION: In the present study, which included a comprehensive causal model, postpartum UI could be explained first of all as the decline of pregnancy UI, secondly as a manifestation of a pre-existing tendency to react by UI, and finally as a consequence of the birth process itself.     

Urinary incontinence in the 12-month postpartum period

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence in the 12-month postpartum period and to relate this incontinence to several potential risk factors including body mass index, smoking, oral contraceptives, breast-feeding, and pelvic floor muscle exercise. METHODS: Participants were 523 women, aged 14 to 42 years, who had obstetrical deliveries. The women were interviewed in their rooms on postpartum day 2 or 3 and by telephone 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postpartum. Chart abstraction was conducted to obtain obstetrical data from the index delivery. RESULTS: At 6 weeks postpartum, 11.36% of women reported some degree of urinary incontinence since the index delivery. Although the rate of incontinence did not change significantly over the postpartum year, frequency of accidents decreased over time. In the generalized estimating equation, postpartum incontinence was significantly associated with seven variables: baseline report of smoking (odds ratio [OR] 2.934; P =.002), incontinence during pregnancy (OR 2.002; P =.007), length of breast-feeding (OR 1.169; P =.023), vaginal delivery (OR 2.360; P =.002), use of forceps (OR 1.870; P =.024), and two time-varying covariates: frequency of urination (OR 1.123; P = <.001) and body mass index (OR 1.055; P =.005). Factors not associated with postpartum incontinence included age, race, education, episiotomy, number of vaginal deliveries, attendance at childbirth preparation classes, and performing pelvic floor muscle exercises during the postpartum period. CONCLUSION: Postpartum incontinence is associated with several risk factors, some of which are potentially modifiable and others that can help target at-risk women for early intervention.     

Dynamic characteristics of the circumvaginal muscles during pregnancy and the postpartum

Weakened circumvaginal muscles (CVM) may occur after childbirth and may be associated with obstetric factors such as perineal outcome, episiotomy, length of second stage labor, baby weight, and pushing technique. Pressures developed by the CVM during pregnancy and postpartum were obtained to test the hypothesis that significantly lower pressures would be developed by the CVM in the early postpartum than during pregnancy. The sample consisted of 29 pregnant women who planned to deliver at a birth center. A follow-up study was performed approximately one year after delivery to determine if improvement of the CVM occurred over time. The results supported the hypothesis and indicated that restitution of the CVM occurred after the early postpartum period.     

Stress urinary incontinence among women who underwent surgical treatment due to abdominal hernias

OBJECTIVES: Biochemical modification and resulting biomechanical disfunction of the connective tissue are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of both stress urinary incontinence and abdominal hernias. Since the coincidence between this disorders may be anticipated, the goal of our study was to investigate the occurrence of stress urinary incontinence among women who underwent the surgical treatment of abdominal hernias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty seven women who participated into the study were divided into two groups. The investigated group consisted of 23 women who underwent surgical treatment of femoral, inguinal or umbilical hernias, whereas the control group comprised 24 women after cholecystectomy due to cholelithiasis. Data concerning stress urinary incontinence and associated risk factors were obtained using Gaudenz's questionnaire. RESULTS: Stress urinary incontinence was reported by 34.8% of women after hernioplasty and 33.3% after cholecystectomy. The difference was not statistically significant. We found no association between known risk factors of stress urinary incontinence, as: age, weight, history regarding vaginal delivery and gynecological surgery, and occurrence of incontinence. CONCLUSION: The history of the surgical treatment of abdominal hernias is not a risk factor of stress urinary incontinence in women.     

Effect of pelvic muscle exercise on transient incontinence during pregnancy and after birth

Objective: To test the effect of pelvic muscle exercise on postpartum symptoms of stress urinary incontinence and pelvic muscle strength in primigravidas during pregnancy and postpartum.Methods: A prospective trial randomized women into treatment (standardized instruction in pelvic muscle exercise) or control (routine care with no systematic pelvic muscle exercise instruction). Urinary incontinence symptoms were measured by questionnaire. Pelvic muscle strength was quantified by an instrumented gynecologic speculum. Time points were 20 and 35 weeks' gestation and 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postpartum.Results: Outcomes are reported for 46 women with vaginal or cesarean birth and for a subsample of 37 women with vaginal birth. Longitudinal analyses are reported for cases with complete data across time points. Diminished urinary incontinence symptoms were seen in the treatment group, with significant treatment effects demonstrated at 35 weeks' gestation (F [1,43] = 4.36, P = .043), 6 weeks postpartum (F [1,43] = 4.94, P = .032), and 6 months postpartum (F [1,43] = 4.29, P = .044). A repeated measures analysis of variance showed a significant interaction between time and treatment for urinary incontinence (F [4, 41] = 2.83, P = .037). A significant effect of initial pelvic muscle strength was demonstrated; ie, pelvic muscle strength at 20 weeks' gestation predicted significantly 12-months postpartum strength (F [1, 13] = 8.12, P = .014). Group differences in pelvic muscle strength were observed (the treatment group had greater strength at 6 weeks and at 6 months postpartum than did controls), but these differences were not statistically significant.Conclusion: Practice of pelvic muscle exercise by primiparas results in fewer urinary incontinence symptoms during late pregnancy and postpartum.     

Urinary incontinence in pregnancy and prevention of perineal complications of labor

BACKGROUND: Female urinary incontinence often manifests itself for the first time during pregnancy in a great number of women (23-50%). In many cases it is transitory in nature, the result of the stress induced by the pregnancy on the pelvic floor. In this study the authors discuss the frequency of urinary incontinence on the basis of a questionnaire administered to a limited sample group of obstetrics patients in order to identify the potential risk factors and to plan protective and rehabilitative strategies for the pelvic floor both during pregnancy and before and after delivery. METHODS: From November 1998 until June 1999 at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of the University of L'Aquila (Italy) 150 women were surveyed by written questionnaire both before delivery and on the second day following delivery. Those who were identified as having urinary incontinence during pregnancy were readministered the questionnaire at three months following delivery. RESULTS: Urinary incontinence was reported during pregnancy by 48% of the women under examination, which appeared, for the most part, during the third trimester of the pregnancy (in 43% of the women). No differences related to age were discovered, while a cesarean section played a protective role. For women with preexisting IUS the new pregnancy was an aggravating factor. Of the women with IUS during pregnancy who did not demonstrate preexisting symptoms only 9.4% reported persistent urinary incontinence at three months following delivery. Among women pregnant for the first time with persistent symptoms all had received episiotomies by the third month following delivery. CONCLUSIONS: The authors of this study wish to direct their attention to the identification of women with IUS during pregnancy so that damage from delivery can be reduced to a minimum and rehabilitation strategies for the functioning of the pelvic floor can be imitated as soon as possible.     

Four-year follow-up of women who were diagnosed to have postpartum urinary retention

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term prevalence of urinary incontinence in women with postpartum urinary retention. STUDY DESIGN: A telephone interview was conducted by contacting a cohort of 691 women who delivered vaginally 4 years ago, of which 101 women had been diagnosed as having postpartum urinary retention. A structured telephone interview consisted of 9 questions on the possible outcomes of postpartum urinary retention. RESULTS: Of the original cohort of 691 women, 394 women were contacted. Seventy-three women had had postpartum urinary retention, and 321 women had not. In women who had had postpartum urinary retention, the prevalence of the outcome variables were urinary stress incontinence (28.8%), fecal incontinence (2.7%), frequency (39.1%), nocturia (65.2%), urgency (26.1%), urge incontinence (26.1%), and coital incontinence (13%). Analyses showed that there was no significant difference between women with and without urinary retention. CONCLUSION: Women who had had postpartum urinary retention did not have a higher prevalence of urinary stress incontinence.     

Factors determining the persistence of prenatal stress urinary incontinence 12 months postpartum

ObjectiveWhilst many studies have explored the mechanisms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) following various modes of delivery, few have examined outcomes of postpartum SUI in women who experienced new-onset SUI during their pregnancy. Our primary objective was to investigate the risk factors for persistent postpartum SUI in women with new-onset SUI during pregnancy at 1-year follow-up following vaginal delivery.Materials and methods303 women with new-onset SUI during pregnancy who underwent vaginal delivery in a university hospital between 2014 and 2015 were included. In-person interviews were conducted for all participants on the second postpartum day, followed by phone interviews at 12 months postpartum, with completion of structured questionnaires, including Urogenital Distress Inventory Short Form (UDI-6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (IIQ-7). Demographic, obstetrics and questionnaire scores were analyzed and compared between the group of women who experienced persistent postpartum SUI and the group who did not.ResultsAt 12 months postpartum, 16.5% (n = 50) of women had persistent postpartum SUI, with 83.5% (n = 253) experiencing resolution of SUI symptoms. Maternal age ≥35 years (aOR = 2.62; 95% CI, 1.40–4.87, P = 0.002), gestational age at birth ≥40 weeks (aOR = 2.21; 95% CI, 1.12–4.37, P = 0.022), and severe perineal lacerations (aOR = 2.32; 95% CI, 1.27–4.45, P = 0.013) were independent risk factors for persistent postpartum SUI for women following vaginal delivery at 1-year follow-up.ConclusionThe prevalence of persistent postpartum SUI at 1-year following vaginal delivery is 16.5%, with advanced maternal age, gestational age at birth ≥40 weeks and severe perineal lacerations being independent risk factors.     

Urinary incontinence and weight changes during pregnancy and post partum: A pending challenge

Objectiveto analyse the association between urinary incontinence and maternal weight, and its variations in pregnancy and post partum.Designobservational study of a cohort of women from the start of pregnancy until six months post partum.SettingHospital San Pedro in La Rioja, Spain.Participants402 pregnant women without urinary incontinence at the start of pregnancy.Measurements and findingsthe dependent variable was urinary incontinence, assessed using the Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form questionnaire. The main independent variables were body mass index (BMI) at the first antenatal visit and six months post partum, weight gain during pregnancy, postpartum weight loss, and weight retained from the start of pregnancy to six months post partum. The association between urinary incontinence and the main independent variables was measured using Student's t-test. Three simple logistic regression models were used to assess the strength of this association, one for each of the independent variables that showed a significant association with urinary incontinence (p<0.05), and three multiple regression models that included the possible variable effect modifiers were also used. At the start of pregnancy, 20.1% of the women were overweight and 8.7% were obese. Six months post partum, 30.3% of the women were overweight and 11.4% were obese. The mean (±standard deviation) retained weight was 2 (±3.1) kg. Postpartum urinary incontinence was associated with BMI at six months post partum, postpartum weight loss and retained weight at six months post partum (p<0.05). The association of urinary incontinence with these variables was significant, and remained stable in both simple and multiple regression analyses with BMI at six months post partum [odds ratio (OR) 1.09 versus 1.08], weight loss from delivery to six months post partum (OR 0.88 versus 0.88), and retained weight from the beginning of pregnancy until six months post partum (OR 1.23 versus 1.19).Key conclusionshigh BMI and weight retention at six months post partum increase the risk of urinary incontinence, whereas postpartum weight loss decreases the risk of urinary incontinence, even if other urinary incontinence risk factors co-exist.Implications for practiceprimary care midwifes can make a major contribution towards the prevention and rehabilitation of urinary incontinence in women. It is important for the midwife and the woman to keep in contact in the first six months post partum. Individualised advice about eating and exercise habits to avoid weight retention after pregnancy may have a considerable impact on decreasing the risk of urinary incontinence.     

Prevalence and Persistence of Health Problems After Childbirth: Associations with Parity and Method of Birth

ABSTRACT: Background: Awareness about the extent of maternal physical and emotional health problems after childbirth is increasing, but few longitudinal studies examining their duration have been published. The aim of this study was to describe changes in the prevalence of maternal health problems in the 6 months after birth and their association with parity and method of birth. Methods: A population‐based, cohort study was conducted in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia. The study population, comprising women who gave birth to a live baby from March to October 1997, completed 4 questionnaires on the fourth postpartum day, and at 8, 16, and 24 weeks postpartum. Outcome measures were self‐reported health problems during each of the three 8‐week postpartum periods up to 24 weeks. Results: A total of 1295 women participated, and 1193 (92%) completed the study. Health problems showing resolution between 8 and 24 weeks postpartum were exhaustion/extreme tiredness (60–49%), backache (53–45%), bowel problems (37–17%), lack of sleep/baby crying (30–15%), hemorrhoids (30–13%), perineal pain (22–4%), excessive/prolonged bleeding (20–2%), urinary incontinence (19–11%), mastitis (15–3%), and other urinary problems (5–3%). No significant changes occurred in the prevalence of frequent headaches or migraines, sexual problems, or depression over the 6 months. Adjusting for method of birth, primiparas were more likely than multiparas to report perineal pain and sexual problems. Compared with unassisted vaginal births, women who had cesarean sections reported more exhaustion, lack of sleep, and bowel problems; reported less perineal pain and urinary incontinence in the first 8 weeks; and were more likely to be readmitted to hospital within 8 weeks of the birth. Women with forceps or vacuum extraction reported more perineal pain and sexual problems than those with unassisted vaginal births after adjusting for parity, perineal trauma, and length of labor. Conclusions: Health problems commonly occurred after childbirth with some resolution over the 6 months postpartum. Some important differences in prevalence of health problems were evident when parity and method of birth were considered. (BIRTH 29:2 June 2002)     

分娩方式对尿失禁发生的影响

目的研究不同分娩方式对尿失禁发生及其程度的影响.方法选择2001年3月至2002年3月在北京大学第一医院妇产科分娩的初产妇1000例,采用国际尿失禁咨询委员会提供的尿失禁问卷表对其进行电话访问,了解她们孕前、孕期、产后1年及近期排尿情况.根据病例记录的分娩方式及相关资料,共完成有效病例548例.通过SPSS软件包计算各分娩方式中发生尿失禁的比例和程度,及影响尿失禁发生的相关因素.结果 (1)548例患者中有尿失禁症状者167例(30.5%).(2)对尿失禁发生的相关因素进行logistic回归分析,发现剖宫产及新生儿体重为产后发生尿失禁的影响因素.以阴道顺产发生尿失禁的OR为 1.0计算,剖宫产的OR=0.326,新生儿体重的OR=1.633.在阴道顺产及产钳助产分娩中,仅新生儿体重为发生尿失禁的高危因素(P=0.013,OR=2.081).(3)阴道顺产、产钳助产和剖宫产3者中尿失禁的发生率分别为38.6%(105/272)、43.8%(21/48)和18.0%(41/228),阴道顺产和产钳助产组间尿失禁发生率无显著性差异(P>0.05),两组与剖宫产组尿失禁的发生率比较,差异均有显著性(P<0.05).(4)阴道顺产组中混合性、压力性和急迫性尿失禁的比例分别为 4.4%、33.8%和0.4%.产钳助产组中3种尿失禁的比例分别为 8.3%、35.4%和0.0%.剖宫产组中以上3种尿失禁的比例分别为3.1%、14.5%和0.4%.压力性尿失禁在阴道顺产组和产钳助产组的发生率均高于剖宫产组(P<0.05),且重度压力性尿失禁的例数在阴道顺产组中高于剖宫产组(P<0.05).(5)尿失禁发生的时间167例患者中以产前即有、孕期出现并在产后1年内消失、产后1年内出现并在1年内消失、产后1年内出现并持续1年以上、产后1年以后或近期新出现等5种情况分类,其发生率分别为1.2%(2/167)、7.8%(13/167)、44.9%(75/167)、40.7% (68/167)和2.4%(4/167).结论 (1)与阴道顺产和产钳助产比较,剖宫产可降低压力性尿失禁的发生风险.(2)患者尿失禁的症状主要出现于产后1年内,其中部分患者症状可以持续1年以上.(3)新生儿体重增加使压力性尿失禁发生的风险增加.     

Benchmarking outcomes in maternity care: Peripartum incontinence - a framework for standardised reporting

ObjectiveTo evaluate a framework to facilitate standardised reporting of perinatal incontinence.DesignAn exploratory, prospective, observational cohort study.SettingOne Australian tertiary maternity referral centre.ParticipantsData from 309 pregnant women collected between August 2017 and January 2019.Measurements and findingsA framework was developed using consensus-based terminology and definitions, measures and data-collection time-points. The ICIQ-UI SF and the Wexner Scale were administered during pregnancy (<27 and 36-weeks) and postpartum (6- and 26-weeks). Incidence, trajectory and group differences for urinary incontinence subcategories were evaluated. Stress urinary incontinence was the largest contributor of urinary incontinence during pregnancy (39.2%) followed by mixed (11.3%) and urgency incontinence (7.4%). Factors associated with incontinence subcategories during pregnancy were multiparity (stress: RR 1.74), co-existing anal incontinence (mixed: RR 3.51) and early pregnancy urinary incontinence (stress: RR 2.79; mixed: RR 2.85). Factors postpartum included primiparity (urgency), vaginal birth (stress), induction of labour (stress: RR 2.99; urgency: RR 0.2), waterbirth (urgency: RR 2.66), coexisting anal incontinence (urgency: RR 3.55) and late pregnancy urinary incontinence (mixed: RR 3.97). Low numbers of women with anal incontinence prohibited subcategory analysis.Key conclusionsFindings offer preliminary support for the effectiveness of the framework for the measurement and reporting of urinary incontinence in childbearing women. Future research is needed to evaluate the framework in larger and more diverse maternity populations.Implications for practiceA framework for standardised measurement and reporting of perinatal incontinence will facilitate improved synthesis of research findings with the potential to improve the quality of evidence-based clinical guidelines.     

Fecal incontinence after high-risk delivery

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with fecal incontinence and its precursors among high-risk women at 12 months postpartum. METHODS: A survey of women in the immediate and later postpartum was conducted. Participants were 568 women at higher risk of anal sphincter damage, namely those who had an instrumental delivery and/or delivered a high birth weight infant (4000 g or more) at tertiary teaching hospitals in Australia. Women participated in a baseline hospital-based interview and a 12-month follow-up telephone interview. The main outcome measures were frank fecal incontinence (solid and/or liquid stool) and precursor symptoms (flatal incontinence, soiling, and/or fecal urgency) at 12 months postpartum. RESULTS: Prevalence rates were 2.6% for solid stool incontinence and 4.9% for liquid stool incontinence. Overall, 6.9% women had either one or both of these symptoms of frank fecal incontinence. Prevalence rates were 24.4% for flatal incontinence, 10.9% for soiling, and 14.8% for fecal urgency. Overall, 32.4% women had at least one of these precurser symptoms. Concurrent urinary incontinence and postpartum constipation were significantly associated with both frank fecal incontinence and precursor symptoms. In addition, joint hypermobility and older maternal age were associated with frank fecal incontinence, whereas inability to stop the urine flow and multiparity was associated with precursor symptoms. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that older and multiparous women, and women with joint hypermobility are at increased risk of postpartum anal incontinence symptoms after a high-risk delivery. Concurrent urinary incontinence, flow-stopping inability, and constipation are also associated with postpartum anal incontinence symptoms after high-risk deliveries.     

Urinary incontinence in a group of primiparous women in the Czech Republic

BACKGROUND/AIM: Not only the process of childbirth itself, but also processes during pregnancy seem to be strongly associated with urinary incontinence (UI). According to some epidemiological studies, UI during pregnancy occurs in 23-70% of the pregnant women. These studies also documented some risk factors (e.g., race, age, or body mass index). The aim of our study was to explore the prevalence of UI during pregnancy in the Czech Republic. METHODS: 474 primiparas who gave birth at our maternity ward from June 14, 2004, through January 31, 2005, received a questionnaire. The questionnaire concentrated on the occurrence and presentation of UI before and during pregnancy. RESULTS: 339 women (72%) completed the questionnaire. UI and the length of pregnancy are significantly related. We found a baseline UI prevalence before pregnancy of 17%, but before delivery one of 64%. We did not find any statistically significant relation between the prevalence of UI during pregnancy and body mass index before pregnancy as well as before delivery, weight gain during pregnancy, age, and birth weight. CONCLUSION: Our results show that pregnancy is a risk factor for the development of UI.