Prevalence of Various Urogynaecological Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in Relation to Mode of Delivery

Urogynaecological problems are common in puerperium and are mainly related to mode of delivery being more common in vaginal delivery. It was a prospective study of over 300 puerperal women to see the prevalence of various urogynaecological problems in vaginal delivery (149 cases) vs caesarean section (151 cases).

It is a prospective longitudinal observational study in which over 300 women underwent screening for urogynaecological problems in the first week postpartum. Women with urogynaecological symptoms were followed for 6 weeks for the persistence of symptoms, and those with moderate-to-severe symptoms were evaluated using urodynamic studies.

The two groups were similar in general characteristics, mean age (28.2 years vs. 26.9 years), parity (2.3 vs. 2.0), gestation (37.5 vs. 38.4 weeks) and socioeconomic status. Mean birth weight was also similar in two groups, group I with 2.62 ± 0.43 kg vs 2.75 ± 0.45 kg in group II (p value 0.35). Overall, 95 cases (31.6%) had urogynaecological symptoms in the first week postpartum and 22 cases (7.3%) had urogynaecological problems at 6 weeks postpartum with many patients showing more than one symptom. There were no significant differences in various urogynaecological symptoms in vaginal delivery (group I) and caesarean section (group II).

The prevalence of various urogynaecological symptoms was seen in 31.6% in the first week and 7.3% at 6 weeks postpartum and didn't differ with mode of delivery.