Postpartum urinary stress incontinence - its relation with the mode of delivery

OBJECTIVE(S) : To determine the incidence of postpartum stress urinary incontinence (SUI), its correlation with vaginal delivery, forceps delivery and cesarean section, and to asses the incidence of genuine stress incontinence with urodynamics. METHOD(S) : Out of 250 initially selected primiparas 222 responded to the questionnaire for the SUI at 8 weeks postpartum. Urodynamic study was advocated to those, who said that they had SUI. The incidences of SUI after different modes of delivery were compared with each other. Statistical analysis was done by odds ratio and 95% confidence limit estimation and chi square test. RESULTS : The incidence of SUI was 23.42%. SUI was significantly higher after vaginal delivery and more so after forceps delivery in comparison with that after cesarean section. No significant difference was observed between forceps delivery and vaginal delivery. Incidence of genuine stress incontinence was 6.06%. CONCLUSION(S) : Incidence of SUI was lower after cesarean section. Urodynamics show lower incidence of genuine stress incontinence than that revealed by women's perception.