The influence of neonatal birth weight on postpartum pelvic floor function in primiparas

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of birth weight on the incidence of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) in primiparas at 42 days and 1-year postpartum, using pelvic floor ultrasound and surface electromyography (sEMG). A retrospective analysis was conducted on 200 primiparas women who had a full-term vaginal delivery. All participants underwent pelvic floor evaluation at 6 to 8 weeks postpartum, with a follow-up at 1 year. The primiparas were categorized into 2 groups based on infant birth weight: a study group (n = 100, 3500 g ≤ birth weight <4000 g) and a control group (n = 100, 2500 g ≤ birth weight <3500 g). Significant differences were observed in prenatal body mass index, duration of the second stage of labor, incidence of gestational diabetes, perineal laceration, and episiotomy between the 2 groups (P