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Position in the second stage of labour and de novo onset of post-partum urinary incontinence

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the maternal position at the time of delivery on the onset of de novo symptoms of urinary incontinence (UI) in the post-partum period.

Methods

This prospective study evaluated the data of consecutive women undergoing labour and delivery, between January 2014 and July 2014. We included only women with a singleton pregnancy undergoing vaginal delivery. During the study period, patients chose to deliver in the position that they considered the most comfortable. The onset of UI was evaluated according to the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-sf).

Results

Overall, 716 primiparous women were included in the study. Sixty women refused the 12-week post-partum interview (8.4%). Women were divided in two groups: 296 women (45.1%) who chose an upright position during delivery (group 1) and 360 women (54.9%) who chose a supine position (group 2). Group 1 had a significantly lower episiotomy rate, but a higher rate of greater than second degree perineal tears. In group 1 we found a significantly lower rate of de novo UI (40.5% vs 48.9%, p = 0.03) and in particular of stress urinary incontinence. Via multivariate analysis, birth position was the only factor correlating with the occurrence of urinary incontinence in the post-partum period (OR: 1.52; 95%CI: 1.06, 2.18; p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Upright positions at delivery are related to a lower episiotomy rate and a higher rate of greater than second degree perineal tears. Supine positions are an independent risk factor for the onset of de novo UI.

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Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. No funding sources supported this investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Del Ponte Hospital, University of Insubria, Piazza Biroldi 1, 21100, Varese, Italy

    Maurizio Serati, Maria Carmela Di Dedda, Giorgio Bogani, Paola Sorice, Antonella Cromi, Stefano Uccella, Martina Lapenna, Marco Soligo & Fabio Ghezzi

Authors
  1. Maurizio Serati
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  2. Maria Carmela Di Dedda
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  3. Giorgio Bogani
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  4. Paola Sorice
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  5. Antonella Cromi
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  6. Stefano Uccella
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  7. Martina Lapenna
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  8. Marco Soligo
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  9. Fabio Ghezzi
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Correspondence to Maurizio Serati.

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Serati, M., Di Dedda, M.C., Bogani, G. et al. Position in the second stage of labour and de novo onset of post-partum urinary incontinence. Int Urogynecol J 27, 281–286 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-015-2829-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-015-2829-z

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