Effects of Pregnancy and Childbirth on the Pelvic Floor

Abstract

In the last years, due to a better understanding of consequences, better and more precise neurophysiological examinations and more conclusive clinical data on prognosis, the awareness increased that a vaginal delivery may result in damage to the pelvic floor. Pregnancy and vaginal delivery are mostly responsible for the beginning of stress urinary incontinence and injury to the pelvic floor. The majority of published data is based on analyses of questionnaires. Only few prospective studies are available which examine the influence of pregnancy and delivery on the beginning of urinary or stool incontinence or disturbances of the pelvic floor. Longitudinal studies are required to evaluate the long-term effects of pregnancy and delivery on the lower urinary tract and function of the pelvic floor.