Aim This study aimed to clarify the prevalence and risk factors of postpartum urinary retention after vaginal delivery. It also described the healing process of women who had postpartum urinary retention. Methods In this case‐control study, 77 women who had postpartum urinary retention were matched by age and parity with 385 women as controls. Data were analyzed by conditional logistic regression analysis. Data were collected from the women in the case group regarding their healing process and conditions for urinary retention (overt or covert urinary retention). Results The prevalence of postpartum urinary retention was 1.2%. The adjusted odds ratio and the 95% confidence intervals for risk factors were as follows: epidural analgesia 4.72, 95% CI 2.38, 9.39; episiotomy 2.68, 95% CI 1.40, 5.13; length of second stage of labor 1.85, 95% CI 0.98, 3.49; labor augmentation 1.78, 95% CI 0.90, 3.51; instrument delivery 0.96, 95% CI 0.43, 2.17; and Kristeller maneuver 0.93, 95% CI 0.37, 2.37. Among 59 women with overt urinary retention, 29 (49.2%) transitioned to covert urinary retention within 10 days after delivery. More than half of the women were normal within 72 hr, but there were five women whose urinary retention did not resolve 11 days following delivery. Conclusions The statistically significant risk factors for postpartum urinary retention were epidural analgesia and episiotomy. Initiatives for the prevention and management of postpartum urinary retention are necessary.