Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum01:26

Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum

6.8K
The muscles of the pelvic floor and perineum are crucial for supporting the pelvic organs, controlling continence, and aiding in sexual function, childbirth, and core stability. They are typically divided into the superficial perineal layer and the deep pelvic floor layer.
Perineal Layer
The perineum is a diamond-shaped area below the pelvic diaphragm, divided into an anterior urogenital triangle that contains the external genitals and a posterior anal triangle housing the anus. The urogenital...
6.8K
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

4.2K
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
4.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Can we define a cut-off for external anal sphincter defect angle?

Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology·2026
Same author

Do we need individualized interslice intervals for exoanal tomographic imaging?

Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology·2025
Same author

Is two-dimensional oblique parasagittal ultrasound imaging valid for levator ani muscle assessment?

Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology·2025
Same author

Levator-urethra gap: is there a need for individualization of cut-offs?

Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology·2024
Same author

Do some levator avulsions improve over time?

Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology·2024
Same author

Diagnosis of maternal birth trauma by pelvic floor ultrasound.

European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
07:41

Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Published on: April 17, 2019

9.4K

Pelvic floor trauma: does the second baby matter?

T A Horak1, R A Guzman-Rojas, K L L Shek

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.

Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology : the Official Journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
|December 7, 2013
PubMed
Summary

A second delivery generally does not significantly alter pelvic floor anatomy, including bladder support and levator function. However, pelvic floor trauma after vaginal birth after Cesarean section warrants further investigation.

Keywords:
avulsionbirth traumachildbirthlevator anipuborectalis muscleultrasound

More Related Videos

Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse POP Quantification System
03:49

Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse POP Quantification System

Published on: September 20, 2018

20.8K
Mouse Model of Surgical Uterine Injury and Subsequent Pregnancy Outcomes
04:08

Mouse Model of Surgical Uterine Injury and Subsequent Pregnancy Outcomes

Published on: June 27, 2025

1.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
07:41

Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Published on: April 17, 2019

9.4K
Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse POP Quantification System
03:49

Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse POP Quantification System

Published on: September 20, 2018

20.8K
Mouse Model of Surgical Uterine Injury and Subsequent Pregnancy Outcomes
04:08

Mouse Model of Surgical Uterine Injury and Subsequent Pregnancy Outcomes

Published on: June 27, 2025

1.3K

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Pelvic Floor Imaging
  • Female Pelvic Medicine

Background:

  • Pelvic floor anatomy can be affected by childbirth.
  • The impact of a second delivery on pelvic floor structures requires further understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of a second pregnancy and delivery on pelvic floor anatomy.
  • To assess changes in bladder support and levator muscle function after a second birth.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of data from two perinatal imaging studies.
  • Translabial 4D ultrasound used to assess pelvic floor anatomy at rest, during Valsalva, and muscle contraction.
  • Diagnosis of levator avulsion using tomographic ultrasound imaging.

Main Results:

  • No significant changes in bladder-neck descent, cystocele descent, or hiatal area were observed after a second delivery.
  • Delivery mode had minimal effect, though a trend towards increased bladder-neck descent was noted after vaginal delivery.
  • Most cases of levator avulsion remained unchanged; one new avulsion occurred after vacuum delivery.

Conclusions:

  • A second pregnancy and delivery appear to have a limited impact on overall bladder support and levator muscle function.
  • A significant case of levator trauma was observed following vaginal birth after Cesarean section (VBAC).
  • Further research into pelvic floor trauma associated with VBAC is recommended.