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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
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Published on: August 17, 2022
Pelvic floor dysfunction after intervention, compared with expectant management, in prolonged second stage of labour:
Sandra Bergendahl1,2, Anna Sandström3,4, Hongwei Zhao5
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Objective:
To investigate the effect of vacuum extraction (VE) or caesarean section (CS), compared with expectant management, on pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) 1-2 years postpartum in primiparous women with a prolonged second stage of labour.
Design:
A population-based questionnaire and cohort study.
Setting:
Stockholm, Sweden.
Population:
A cohort of 1302 primiparous women with a second stage duration of ≥3 h, delivering from December 2017 to November 2018.
Methods:
The 1-year follow-up questionnaire from the Swedish National Perineal Laceration Register was distributed 12-24 months postpartum. Exposure was VE or CS at 3-4 h or 4-5 h, compared with expectant management.
Main Outcome Measures:
Pelvic floor dysfunction was defined as at least weekly symptoms of urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse or a Wexner score of ≥4. The risk of PFD was calculated using Poisson regression with robust variance estimation, presented as crude and adjusted relative risks (RRs and aRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The implication of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) on pelvic floor disorders was investigated through mediation analysis.
Results:
In total, 35.1% of women reported PFD. Compared with expectant management, the risk of PFD was increased after VE at 3-4 h (aRR 1.33, 95% CI 1.06-1.65) and 4-5 h (aRR 1.34, 95% CI 1.05-1.70), but remained unchanged after CS. The increased risk after VE was not mediated by OASI.
Conclusions:
Pelvic floor dysfunction was common in primiparous women after a prolonged second stage, and the risk of PFD increased after VE but was unaffected by CS, compared with expectant management. If a spontaneous vaginal delivery eventually occurred, allowing an extended duration of labour did not increase the risk of PFD.
