Prevalence and associated risk factors of retention of urine after caesarean section

Caesarean section poses higher risk of postpartum urinary retention (PUR) than vaginal delivery. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and the associated risk factors of PUR after caesarean section. Two hundred seven parturients (mean age = 31.26 years old, median parity = 0) who delivered by caesarean section were recruited from the postnatal unit of a tertiary hospital in Hong Kong. Voiding was encouraged 6 h after removal of Foley catheters. Transvaginal ultrasound scan was performed immediately after voiding to estimate the postvoid residual bladder volume (PVR). PUR after caesarean section was defined as PVR of more than 150 ml. The results indicated a prevalence of 3.38%. Logistic regression analysis indicating ‘lack of progress of labor’ was the only significant associated factor (p < 0.001). The findings of this study provide information for further exploration on how to reduce the morbidity caused by PUR in the postoperative period of caesarean section.