Outcome indicators of postpartum pelvic floor function in parturients using different modes of delivery：A comparative analysis

Abstract:

Objective：To investigate the outcome indicators of postpartum pelvic floor function in parturients using different modes of delivery through a comparative analysis. Methods：A single-center control study was performed. From April to October，2016，full-term parturients who underwent reexamination at 3-6 months after delivery were enrolled according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into cesarean section group and vaginal delivery group. Their general information was collected，and outcome indicators of pelvic floor function were used to compare pelvic floor muscle strength，surface electromyography values，and distribution of pelvic floor dysfunction（PFD） between the two groups. Results：There were significant differences in the incidence rates of urinary inconti－nence，uterine prolapse，and diastasis recti abdominis between the vaginal delivery group with 142 parturients and the cesarean section group with 146 parturients（P=0.00），and compared with the cesarean section group，the vaginal delivery group had significantly high－er incidence rates of uterine prolapse and urinary incontinence and a significantly lower incidence rate of diastasis recti abdominis. There were no significant differences between the two groups in type Ⅰ/Ⅱ muscle fiber strength of the superficial and deep muscle groups，rise time and recovery time of fast muscle fibers，and average electromyography values of slow muscle fibers（P >0.05），while there were significant differences between the two groups in average value of resting stage，maximum value of fast（type Ⅱ） muscle fibers，variability of slow（typeⅠ） muscle fibers，total electromyography score before treatment，and abdominal muscle involvement（P<0.05）. The vaginal delivery group had significantly lower maximum electromyography value of fast muscle fibers and incidence rate of diastasis recti abdominis than the cesarean section group. Conclusion：Both vaginal delivery and cesarean section can injure pelvic floor muscle strength and superficial electromyography value and may lead to the development of PFD.