ICS debate article—childbirth, modes of delivery, and pelvic floor dysfunction—challenges in educating women about modes of delivery and granting an informed decision process

Abstract

The impact of the mode of birth on the mother and fetus has been a popular topic for a long‐standing debate. Several morbidities have been associated with one mode of delivery or another. When this debate focuses specifically on the effects of vaginal birth or cesarean delivery on pelvic floor function and dysfunction, current research‐based evidence fails to provide clear answers as many contributing and confounding factors, and other limitations inherent to the evidence itself blur the links between causes and outcomes. This debate article provides and overview of the biopsychosocial gaps on this subject and raises questions to the current state in patient counselling on labour and delivery.