Impact of Childbirth and Mode of Delivery on Vaginal Resting Pressure and on Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength and Endurance

Pelvic floor dysfunction and weakening of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) during vaginal delivery play a major role in postpartum incontinence. It is believed that vaginal childbirth may result in reduced vaginal resting pressure (VRP) and reduced PFM strength and endurance, whereas cesarean section (CS) may protect the PFM. Several studies have assessed change in PFM strength from pregnancy to shortly after childbirth in relation to mode of delivery; the results were conflicting. Moreover, most such studies were small, few were prospective, and none addressed change in VRP when comparing modes of delivery.