Biomechanical analysis of the damage in the pelvic floor muscles during childbirth

Abstract

The vaginal birth is the leading cause of pelvic floor muscle injuries compromising its function, which can lead to pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and other pelvic disorders. These conditions affect many women’s quality of life. As such, biomechanical models emerge to analyze the impact of pregnancy and childbirth in the biomechanics of the pelvic floor, and determine features that potentially contribute to complications during vaginal delivery. Computer models allow structural hypotheses to be analyzed, such as the influence of the shape of the fetal head and its position at delivery, the consequence of specific obstetrical procedures, among others. Damage analysis is especially important to understand the pathophysiology of the associated dysfunctions. The continuous developments in imaging techniques, and the increased computing power, make possible for these frameworks to be clinically valuable, with customized computer models and subject-specific mechanical properties, both in useful time.