Risks of stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse surgery in relation to mode of childbirth

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Jan;204(1):70.e1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.08.034.

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the risk for stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse surgery related to vaginal birth or cesarean delivery.

Study design: A cohort study of all women having their first and all subsequent deliveries by cesarean (n = 33,167), and an age-matched sample of women only having vaginal deliveries (n = 63,229) between 1973 and 1983. Hazard ratios were calculated using Cox regression models with 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Women only having vaginal deliveries had increased overall risks of incontinence (hazard ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 2.4-3.6) and prolapse surgery (hazard ratio, 9.2; 95% confidence interval, 7.0-12.1) compared with women only having cesarean deliveries.

Conclusion: Having only vaginal childbirths was associated with a significantly increased risk of stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse surgery later in life compared with only having cesarean deliveries.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cesarean Section / adverse effects
  • Cohort Studies
  • Delivery, Obstetric / adverse effects*
  • Delivery, Obstetric / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse / etiology*
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse / surgery
  • Pregnancy
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Risk Assessment / methods
  • Urinary Incontinence, Stress / etiology*
  • Uterine Prolapse / etiology