Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effects of vaginal delivery and caesarean sectionon on activity of pelvic floor muscles after delivery. Methods One hundred and eighty-four women were divided into caesarean section group (n=59), vaginal delivery group (n=117) and forceps delivery group (n=8) according to the ways of delivery. Questionnaire survey was conducted 6 to 8 weeks after delivery, and the activity of pelvic floor muscles after delivery was measured by Femiscan feedback instrument. Another 20 age-matched nulliparas were selected as control group. Results The parameters of activity of pelvic floor muscles in control group were significantly higher than those of postpartum women (P<0.05). The activity of pelvic floor muscles in caesarean section group was the highest, that in forceps delivery group was the lowest, and there were significant differences between two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the activity of left pelvic floor muscles and that of right pelvic floor muscles in caesarean section group and vaginal delivery group (P>0.05). There were significant differences between the activity of left pelvic floor muscles and that of right pelvic floor muscles in forceps delivery group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the duration of first stage of labor between vaginal delivery group and forceps delivery group (P>0.05), while there were significant differences in the duration of second stage of labor between two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion The activity of pelvic floor muscles in women with vaginal delivery is similar to that in women with caesarean section. The activity of pelvic floor muscles in women with forceps delivery is the lowest, which may be related to the prolonged duration of second stage of labor.

Key words: caesarean section delivery, vaginal delivery, forceps delivery, pelvic floor muscle