[Urinary incontinence and pregnancy, vaginal childbirth and obstetric interventions]

The aim was to examine the association between pregnancy, vaginal childbirth (VC) and obstetric techniques, and the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI). A cross-sectional survey enrolled a random population sample of 6240 women aged 20-59 years, who were mailed a self-administered questionnaire on UI and, among other things, experience of VC and obstetric intervention. More than 75% responded. The present analysis includes 4345 women. Multivariate UI prevalence odds ratios were increased in relation to UI during pregnancy, UI following immediately after a VC, and age 30 or more at the second VC. No multivariate association was found in relation to forceps delivery or vacuum extraction delivery, episiotomy or perineal suturing. In conclusions, not only the process of childbirth itself but also processes during pregnancy seem to be strongly associated with prevalent UI. Perineal suturing may be associated with prevalent UI, whereas other obstetric techniques inspected do not seem to be so.