Effect of different delivery modes on the short-term strength of the pelvic floor muscle in Chinese primipara

Association of the second birth mode of delivery and interval with maternal pelvic floor changes: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to explore the association of the second birth delivery mode and interval with maternal pelvic floor changes.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included women who had a first delivery and were in weeks 36-41 of a subsequent pregnancy at Panzhihua Central Hospital between July 2017 and June 2018. The primary outcomes of the study were the hiatus area at 6 months postpartum and bladder neck (mm) at rest and during a maximum Valsalva maneuver.

RESULTS

There were 112 women with vaginal delivery and 182 with Cesarean section. The hiatus area and hiatus circumference decreased at all time points (all P < 0.001). The women with Cesarean section had a smaller hiatus area and circumference (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001). The hiatus diameters decreased with time in both groups (all P < 0.001) and were smaller after Cesarean section (both P < 0.001). The bladder neck at maximum Valsalva increased with time (all P < 0.001) without significant differences between the two groups. Finally, the proportion of patients with POP-Q stage 0/I increased with time in both groups (all P < 0.001), with the proportions being higher in the Cesarean group (P = 0.002). The birth interval was negatively correlated with the hiatus area (B=-0.17, 95%CI: -0.25, -0.08, P < 0.001) and positively correlated with the bladder neck at rest (B = 0.22, 95%CI: 0.08, 0.35, P = 0.001) and at maximum Valsalva (B = 0.85, 95%CI: 0.65, 1.05, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the mode of delivery at the second birth could influence the hiatus area and circumference and bladder neck size. The birth interval was negatively correlated with the hiatus area and positively correlated with the bladder neck at rest and at maximum Valsalva.

Efficacy of Warm Acupuncture Therapy Combined with Kegel Exercise on Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Women

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The objective was to observe the clinical efficacy of warm acupuncture combined with Kegel exercise in treating postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction in women.

METHODS

A total of 70 primiparous women with postpartum pelvic floor muscle (PFM) injury were randomly divided into a combination group (n = 35, receiving warm acupuncture at Zhibian (BL54) acupoint and Kegel exercise) and a sham control group (n = 35, receiving sham warm acupuncture and Kegel exercise). Both groups were treated three times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. The recovery of PFM strength and changes in Urethral Rotation Angle (URA), Bladder Neck Descent (BND), and Retrovesical Angle (RVA) in pelvic floor ultrasound reports, the scores of pelvic floor dysfunction-related questionnaires, and the efficacy of urinary incontinence treatment of the two groups were compared before and after treatment.

RESULTS

After treatment, the recovery rates of type I and II PFM strength, pelvic floor ultrasound parameters, pelvic floor dysfunction-related scale scores, and urinary incontinence treatment efficacy in the combination group were significantly better than those in the sham control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Warm acupuncture combined with Kegel exercise can significantly improve PFM strength and promote the recovery of postpartum pelvic floor function in women.

Vaginal delivery effects on 3D morphology of the bladder, urethra, and vagina: a pilot study comparing women with different numbers of deliveries

PURPOSE

To explore 3D morphological changes of the bladder, urethra, and vagina following different numbers of vaginal deliveries.

METHODS

Sampled patients had undergone magnetic resonance imaging for gynecological diseases in Nanfang Hospital. A total of 167 patients who met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled and divided into four groups. Mimics and UG software packages were used for reconstructions and measurements, and data were compared with one-way analyses of variance.

RESULTS

A total of 167 3D models were constructed, and eight parameters related to the bladder and urethra were measured (5 angles, 2 lengths, and 1 thickness). No statistically significant differences were found between subgroups, although mean plot figures of urethra pubic and α angles showed trends to increase with more deliveries, and the opposite trend was seen for the urethra tilt angle. There were no obvious trends between other parameters and delivery number. There were seven vaginal parameters (6 lengths and 1 shape). Mid-urethral and vaginal gap measurements tended to become wider as delivery number increased, and the opposite was seen for the distal gap. Mid-vaginal 2D cross-sectional shape and the proportion of shallow concave types also tended to significantly increase with more deliveries, especially after the third birth.

CONCLUSION

As the number of deliveries through the vagina increases, the lateral support function of this organ and the urethra become relatively weaker. These fine anatomical changes are related to delivery numbers and become most obvious after the third birth.

Effects of Different Delivery Modes on Pelvic Floor Function in Parturients 6–8 Weeks after Delivery Using Transperineal Four-Dimensional Ultrasound

Objective

To evaluate the effects of different delivery modes on pelvic floor function in parturients 6–8 weeks after delivery using transperineal four-dimensional ultrasound.

Methods

Pelvic floor function 6–8 weeks after delivery in 40 vaginal delivery parturients between November 2018 and December 2020 was assessed by four-dimensional ultrasound, with 40 selective cesarean section delivery parturients as a control group. The imaging results of the two groups were compared.

Results

The levels of clinical indexes such as UVJ-M, A_r, A_v, θ, D_r, D_v, and ARJ-VDv in the selective cesarean section group were significantly lower than those in the vaginal delivery group 6–8 weeks after delivery (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference in CV-VD was observed under Valsalva action and at rest between the two groups (P > 0.05). No significant difference in ARJ-VD was found at rest between the two groups (P > 0.05). The incidence of pelvic organ prolapse in the selective cesarean section group (40.0%) was significantly lower than that in the vaginal delivery group (62.5%) (P < 0.05). No significant difference in the parameters of pelvic diaphragm hiatus at rest was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). The parameters of pelvic diaphragm hiatus under maximum Valsalva action in the vaginal delivery group were significantly higher than those in the selective cesarean section group (P < 0.05). Whether the patient was complicated with diabetes had no significant effect on the functional injury of pelvic floor muscle (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The pelvic floor function 6–8 weeks after delivery was significantly more affected in vaginal delivery than in selective cesarean section. Selective cesarean section had certain but limited protective effect on maternal pelvic floor tissue.

Pelvic floor dysfunction in primiparous women up to 6 months after delivery: cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To analyze pelvic floor muscular strength (PFMS), urinary (UI) and anal (AI) incontinence and dyspareunia in primiparous women up to 6 months after normal or cesarean delivery.

METHODS

this is a prospective cohort with 169 women (128 normal births, 41 cesarean sections), followed between 50-70 and 170-190 days postpartum, when PFMS was measured using perineometry, and UI and AI and dyspareunia, through interview.

RESULTS

PFMS, UI and dyspareunia were similar between types of delivery. The difference was significant only for the time elapsed, with improvement in the studied period (2 and 6 months postpartum). Regarding AI, there was a significant difference between 2 and 6 months postpartum, with an interaction between type of delivery and time (p=0.022).

CONCLUSION

the type of delivery did not show any influence on pelvic floor dysfunctions, except for AI. For all outcomes, there was an improvement in the period studied.

Vaginal palpation versus transabdominal ultrasound in the comprehension of pelvic floor muscle contraction after vaginal delivery: a randomised controlled trial

Background

Pelvic floor muscles support the pelvic organs and control voiding. The first choice in the repair of pelvic floor function that is damaged during pregnancy and delivery is pelvic floor muscle training, which involves repeated muscle relaxation and contraction. However, as muscle contractions cannot be visualised, it is difficult to assess whether patients understand how to contract them. Therefore, we assessed patients’ comprehension of pelvic floor muscle contraction by comparing two teaching methods, vaginal palpation and transabdominal ultrasound, following vaginal delivery. We hypothesised that vaginal palpation is better than transabdominal ultrasound in this regard.

Methods

This randomised controlled trial conducted in facilities in Tokyo, Japan between July 2018 and January 2019 included women aged ≥ 20 years at 4–6 weeks after vaginal delivery. The randomisation involved website-based centralised allocation. The primary outcome was a change in bladder base displacement during pelvic floor muscle contraction before and after training, which was measured using transabdominal ultrasound. Participants performed three contractions for 3 s, and the mean value was used for statistical analysis. The secondary outcome was a change in understanding the contraction before and after training, which was measured using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. Outcomes were analysed using Welch’s t-test.

Results

Sixty-five participants were randomly allocated to the vaginal palpation group (n = 32) and transabdominal ultrasound group (n = 33). Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. Changes in bladder base displacement were not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.181). Within-group analyses showed that bladder base displacement was large in both groups after the respective intervention. There were no significant differences in any of the outcomes between the two groups before and after the intervention.

Conclusions

Vaginal palpation and transabdominal ultrasound might be useful for comprehending pelvic floor muscle contraction after vaginal delivery.

Trial registration: UMIN 000032304. Registered 18 April 2018, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/icdr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000036820.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: A Narrative Review

Pelvic floor dysfunction is one of the most common disorders in women that is associated with social and economic consequences. In general, this disorder imposes direct and indirect costs on the economy of various societies. This review aimed to investigate pelvic floor dysfunction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this narrative review, the published articles on pelvic floor dysfunction were examined in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences and Google Scholar. We searched for terms related to polycystic ovary syndrome and pelvic floor dysfunction. Inclusion criteria of this research were observational, experimental, and review studies. In this investigation, the complications associated with polycystic ovary syndrome were examined as risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction. In this narrative review, we discuss about changes in hormone levels, obesity and overweight, hormonal medications and complications such as diabetes and metabolic disorders and obstetric complications of PCOS can be involved in the pathophysiology of pelvic floor dysfunctions, including stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women with PCOS. This review highlights knowledge gaps about protective effect of hyperandrogenism on pelvic floor dysfunction as well as destructive effect of metabolic changes on pelvic floor dysfunction in women with PCOS. Further cohort and prospective studies are recommended in women with PCOS to investigate the concept of pelvic organ dysfunction in these women.

Are there differences in short-term pelvic floor muscle function after cesarean section or vaginal delivery in primiparous women? A systematic review with meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The literature presents controversial results regarding the role of delivery mode in pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function after birth. Some studies showed a greater impairment of PFM function after vaginal delivery compared with cesarean section, while others have not identified a significant difference between these two modes of delivery. This study aimed to investigate whether there was a difference in short-term PFM function after childbirth in primiparous women who underwent cesarean section compared with those who underwent vaginal delivery.

METHODS

Up to December 2018, the PubMed-MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Bireme, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct databases were searched. Two independent reviewers performed the selection process based on titles, abstracts, and full-text reading. Observational studies comparing PFM function after cesarean section versus vaginal delivery in primiparous women were included. PRISMA guidelines and Cochrane recommendations were followed. Methodological quality of the primary studies was assessed through the checklist proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute for cross-sectional studies. Random effects meta-analysis was performed to synthesize evidence regarding PFM strength in primiparous woman after vaginal delivery compared with cesarean section. The GRADE approach was applied to classify the quality of the evidence.

RESULTS

Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. A total of 1726 primiparous women were analyzed after childbirth. Five studies were included in the meta-analysis. No difference in PFM strength after childbirth was identified when cesarean section was compared with vaginal delivery [standardized mean difference (SMD): -0.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.85 to 0.56]. Differences in PFM strength were identified when patients who underwent cesarean section were compared with those with an episiotomy or instrumented vaginal delivery (SMD: -12.51, CI 95%: -24.57 to -0.44), favoring the cesarean section group. In both cases, the quality of evidence was classified as very low because of the observational design of the included studies and population heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION

There was no difference in short-term PFM strength after childbirth between primiparous women who underwent cesarean section or vaginal delivery, as assessed through vaginal manometry. However, we identified reduced PFM strength in women who underwent an episiotomy or instrumented vaginal delivery compared with those who underwent cesarean section. Nevertheless, this conclusion should be cautiously considered as the observational design of the primary studies and possible heterogeneity among the primiparous women included in the studies contributed to reducing the quality of the evidence synthesized. Future primary studies with longitudinal designs and long-term follow-up periods are needed to strengthen the quality of evidence and provide more conclusive evidence to guide clinical practice.