Title:A Retrospective Study Analyzing the Incidence of Urine Incontinence after Cesarean Section Delivery in Comparison with Vaginal Delivery
Volume: 21
Issue: 3
Author(s): Raad Dowais*, Soha Albeitawi, Amer Sindiani, Sohail Bakkar, Nahed Ababneh, Dania Abu Kaf, Aseel Malkawi, Hedaia Alrababah and Maysaa Al-Binni
Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
Keywords:
Urine incontinence, vaginal delivery, elective cesarean delivery, pelvic floor disorders, perineal tear, pudendal nerve.
Abstract:
Introduction: Urine incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. Its actual prevalence
is underestimated. There is a general belief that vaginal delivery is a major risk. Elective cesarean
delivery is increasing worldwide; one reason is to protect against pelvic floor disorders, including
urine incontinence. Previous studies included small samples with controversial results.
This study aimed to compare the risk of urine incontinence in women who had cesarean delivery
with those who had vaginal delivery.
Methods: It was a retrospective study on 1751 women delivered in a university hospital over a 5-
year period. Data collected on number of deliveries, age at first and last delivery, mode of each delivery,
gestational age, birth weight, indication of cesarean section, induction of labor, episiotomy,
perineal tears, smoking, chronic cough, chronic constipation, presence and severity of urine incontinence
using ICIQ score. Patients were categorized into 2 groups: all cesarean section deliveries
and at least one vaginal delivery.
Results: A total of 600 respondents delivered only by cesarean section, and 1151 had at least one
vaginal delivery. Urine incontinence prevalence in the cesarean group was 5.8%, and 6.9% in the
vaginal group. Age, perineal tear, chronic cough, and chronic constipation were found to be significantly
associated with urinary incontinence. After adjusting for all other variables, vaginal delivery
was not found to be significantly associated with incontinence compared to cesarean.
Conclusion: Vaginal and cesarean deliveries have a comparable incidence of urinary incontinence.
It is difficult to get a firm conclusion on whether cesarean is protective. Chronic constipation
and cough are important factors regardless of delivery mode.
