Table 2.
Vaginal resting pressure (VRP), pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength and endurance at mid-pregnancy and postpartum in a sample of nulliparous women with different delivery modes (N=235)
| Delivery modes | Gestational week 18–22, mean (±SD) | 6 months postpartum, mean (±SD) | 12 months postpartum, mean (±SD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVD (n=157) | |||
| VRP (cmH2O) | 41.9 (±9.6) | 32.9 (±7.7) | 33.5 (±7.6) |
| PFM strength (cmH2O) | 36.2 (±19.6) | 30.9 (±19.5) | 33.5 (±19.2) |
| PFM endurance (cmH2O/s) | 249.3 (±142.6) | 244.6 (±163.9) | 272.4 (±167.5) |
| IVD (n=43) | |||
| VRP (cmH2O) | 44.9 (±9.3) | 34.7 (±9.0) | 35.1 (±8.5) |
| PFM strength (cmH2O) | 35.5 (±17.0) | 26.8 (±16.0) | 30.0 (±18.1) |
| PFM endurance (cmH2O/s) | 246.1 (±126.7) | 213. 9 (±146.8) | 244.1 (±158.4) |
| CS (n=35) | |||
| VRP (cmH2O) | 44.9 (±12.6) | 40.4 (±11.8) | 40.7 (±11.7) |
| PFM strength (cmH2O) | 37.6 (±17.4) | 39.1 (±17.9) | 42.2 (±17.7) |
| PFM endurance (cmH2O/s) | 263.1 (±131.7) | 309.7 (±154.4) | 329.8 (±144.6) |
Values are given as mean with standard deviation (±SD)
CS cesarean section, IVD instrumental vaginal delivery, NVD normal vaginal delivery, PFM pelvic floor muscle, SD standard deviation, VRP vaginal resting pressure