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Related Experiment Videos

Does pregnancy affect pelvic organ mobility?

Hans Peter Dietz1, Ann Eldridge, Marlene Grace

  • 1University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. hpdietz@bigpond.com

The Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
|December 16, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Pregnancy significantly increases bladder and urethral mobility, with changes noticeable early in gestation. This suggests a generalized hormonal effect on connective tissue biomechanics during pregnancy.

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive medicine
  • Biomechanical analysis of pelvic floor disorders

Background:

  • Parity is a known risk factor for pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence.
  • The specific role of pregnancy versus parturition in these conditions remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the impact of early and late pregnancy on bladder mobility.
  • To investigate changes in pelvic compartment descent and joint mobility during gestation.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study compared 28 pregnant women (at 10-17 and 32-39 weeks gestation) with 88 age- and ethnicity-matched non-pregnant controls.
  • Ultrasound assessed anterior, central, and posterior compartment descent; joint mobility was also measured.

Main Results:

  • Bladder mobility increased significantly in late pregnancy compared to non-pregnant controls.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Early pregnancy showed a non-significant trend towards increased bladder mobility.
  • No significant differences in uterine or rectal descent were observed between groups.

    • Conclusions:

    • Pregnancy demonstrably increases bladder and urethral mobility, an effect evident even in early gestation.
    • These findings support a hypothesis of generalized, likely hormonal, effects on connective tissue biomechanics during pregnancy.
    • Similar changes observed in elbow hyperextension suggest a systemic physiological response.