Pelvic floor biometry in Chinese primiparous women 1 year after delivery: a prospective observational study

Abstract

Objectives

Is bladder neck and urethral mobility associated with urinary incontinence and mode of delivery 4 years after childbirth?

“…Previous studies with shorter follow up have found recovery of bladder neck mobility from assessment soon after delivery up to one year later, but they found still higher values when compared to pregnancy levels . We found increased values for all ultrasound variables over time, and in particular, we found an increase in ultrasound variables from 1 year to 4 years postpartum.…”

“…Increased bladder neck and urethral mobility have been identified after VD compared to CS, in particular after operative vaginal deliveries . However, some authors have postulated that differences between modes of delivery attenuate with time . We observed a tendency to increased bladder neck and urethral mobility after VD compared to CD.…”

Changes in levator hiatus dimensions during pregnancy and after delivery in nulliparas: a prospective cohort study using 3D transperineal ultrasound

“…van Veelen et al [13] studied 280 nulliparas at 12 and 36 weeks prospectively and concluded that the dimensions, contractility, and distensibility of the LH significantly increase in the 3 rd [11] demonstrated that all hiatal dimensions and the mobility of the bladder neck increase significantly from 21 to 37 weeks of gestation in a prospective study of 274 nulliparas. The effect of pregnancy in the dimensions of the LH is clearly demonstrated in the study of Chan et al [12], in which all the Chinese nulliparas who participated in the study showed a significant increase in the LH dimensions as the pregnancy progressed.…”

“…Pregnancy itself appears to be a risk factor for developing PFDs [11,20]. Moreover, Chan et al supported in their study that pregnancy beyond the 35 th week has an effect on the pelvic floor of Chinese women independently of the delivery mode [12]. Further evidence is warranted to explain the exact mechanism of the alterations in the pelvic floor during gestation.…”

“…There is accumulating evidence from prospective studies on the sonographic behavior of the LAM during pregnancy [11][12][13][14]: the LAM J U S T A C C E P T E D dimensions tend to expand during pregnancy. However, there are still few data that describe the morphological alteration of the LAM antenatally.…”