Table 5.
Variables that impact the recovery of vaginal resting pressure (VRP), PFM strength and PFM endurance at 12 months postpartum (N=235)
| Factor | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ∆ VRP GW 18–22–12 months pp, cmH2O | ∆ PFM strength GW 18–22–12 months pp, cmH2O | ∆ PFM endurance GW 18–22–12 months pp, cmH2O/s | ||||
| Variable | B coefficient (95% CI) | p value | B coefficient (95% CI) | p value | B coefficient (95% CI) | p value |
| CSa | −3.0 (−6.0, 0.1) | 0.059 | −9.7 (−14.7, −4.6) | <0.001 | −60.6 (−110.0, −11.2) | 0.017 |
| IVDa | −0.003 (−2.9, 2.9) | 0.998 | −2.4 (−7.2, 2.3) | 0.314 | −18.6 (−65.0, 27.9) | 0.431 |
| Age | −0.2 (−0.4, 0.1) | 0.101 | 0.005 (−0.4, 0.4) | 0.980 | −0.2 (−4.0, 3.6) | 0.913 |
| BMI 12 months pp | −0.5 (−0.8, −0.3) | <0.001 | −0.4 (−0.8, −0.01) | 0.047 | −4.5 (−8.1, −0.8) | 0.016 |
| Longer second stage of labor | 0.003 (−0.02, 0.025) | 0.775 | 0.07 (0.03, 0.1) | <0.001 | 0.5 (0.2, 0.9) | 0.005 |
| Head circumference | −0.2 (−0.9, 0.4) | 0.427 | 0.6 (−0.4, 1.7) | 0.235 | 7.0 (−3.2, 17.2) | 0.175 |
| Epidural | 0.3 (−1.9, 2.5) | 0.783 | −3.6 (−7.2, 0.2) | 0.051 | −32.3 (−67.6, 3.0) | 0.073 |
| Major LA tear 6 weeks pp | 3.1 (0.4, 5.9) | 0.027 | 8.4 (3.9, 13.0) | <0.001 | 79.8 (35.3, 124.4) | 0.001 |
| Regular PFMT 6 months pp | 1.9 (−0.2, 4.0) | 0.072 | −2.4 (−5.8, 1.1) | 0.177 | −30.0 (−63.5, 3.6) | 0.079 |
Standard multiple linear regression
BMI body mass index, CI confidence interval, CS cesarean section, GW gestational week, IVD instrumental vaginal delivery, LA levator ani, pp postpartum, PFM pelvic floor muscle, PFMT pelvic floor muscle training, VRP vaginal resting pressure, ∆ change
aNormal vaginal delivery as reference.