Relationship between episiotomy and prevalence of urinary incontinence in women 2-5 years after childbirth

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to find a relationship between episiotomy and prevalence of urinary incontinence in women. The obtained results were compared with those in women who suffered 1st- or 2nd-degree perineal tears during childbirth and those with an intact perineum. Design: Cross sectional study. Methods: The sample was made up of 211 women, who were 2-5 years after a spontaneous term childbirth. The data were collected using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Results: No differences were found in the prevalence of urinary incontinence between women with episiotomy and those with spontaneous perineal tears or with an intact perineum. The prevalence of urinary incontinence is affected by a woman's BMI, parity and the presence of incontinence before childbirth. Conclusion: The study did not find episiotomy to either increase or decrease the prevalence of urinary incontinence at 2-5 years postpartum.