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- Title
How common is pelvic floor muscle atrophy after vaginal childbirth?
- Authors
Dixit, P.; Shek, K. L.; Dietz, H. P.
- Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective To determine if there is evidence of levator ani atrophy in primiparous women. Methods This was a prospective observational cohort study of 202 primiparous women recruited between November 2006 and March 2008. Translabial ultrasound volumes were obtained at 36-38 weeks' gestation and at a mean of 4.5 months postpartum. Peripartum changes in bladder neck elevation and reduction of anteroposterior hiatal diameter on pelvic floor muscle contraction ( PFMC) and changes in muscle thickness were analyzed. Results Of the 202 participants enrolled, 158 (78%) completed the study. There was a significant reduction in bladder neck elevation (P = 0.001) and change in anteroposterior hiatal diameter (P = 0.03) on PFMC when comparing antenatal and postnatal results, the latter being significantly associated with delivery mode (P = 0.013). No significant changes were detected in muscle thickness (P = 0.76). Conclusions There is a reduction in sonographic measures of pelvic floor function after childbirth, but muscle atrophy is unlikely to be a significant factor. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Subjects
MUSCULAR atrophy; LABOR (Obstetrics); PRENATAL care; URINARY organs; MUSCLE contraction; CHILDBIRTH
- Publication
Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2014, Vol 43, Issue 1, p83
- ISSN
0960-7692
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/uog.12543