Is antenatal bladder neck mobility a risk factor for postpartum stress incontinence?

Abstract

Objective: To assess the contribution of constitutional factors, as demonstrated by antenatal bladder neck mobility, in the development of postpartum urinary stress incontinence.

Design: A prospective investigational study.

Setting: General district hospital.

Population: One hundred and three primigravid women with no pre-existing urinary incontinence or neurological disorder.

Methods: Antenatal and postnatal measurement of bladder neck mobility using perineal ultrasound.

Main outcome measure: Urinary stress incontinence at 10-14 weeks postpartum.

Results: Women with postpartum urinary stress incontinence have significantly greater antenatal bladder neck mobility than those women continent postpartum. There were no significant differences in any labour or delivery variables, including mode of delivery, between the postpartum continent and incontinent women.

Conclusions: There is evidence for a constitutional risk factor (eg, defective pelvic floor connective tissue in the development of postpartum stress incontinence).