Open AccessSymptoms of stress incontinence 1 year after childbirth: prevalence and predictors in a national Swedish sample
Author(s) -
Schytt Erica,
Lindmark Gunilla,
Waldenström Ulla
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/j.0001-6349.2004.00431.x
Subject(s) - medicine , childbirth , urinary incontinence , obstetrics , pregnancy , stress incontinence , constipation , vaginal delivery , cohort study , episiotomy , cohort , gynecology , surgery , genetics , biology
Background. The aims of the present study were to describe the prevalence of stress incontinence, as described by women themselves, 1 year after childbirth in a national sample of Swedish‐speaking women, and to identify possible predictors. Methods. A cohort study, including 2390 women recruited from 593 antenatal clinics in Sweden during three 1‐week periods evenly spread over 1 year (1999–2000), representing 53% of women eligible for the study and 75% of those who consented to participate. Data were collected by means of questionnaires in early pregnancy, 2 months and 1 year after the birth, and from the Swedish Medical Birth Register. Results. One year after the birth, 22% of the women had symptoms of stress incontinence but only 2% said it caused them major problems. The strongest predictor was urinary incontinence (overall leakage) 4–8 weeks after a vaginal delivery (OR 5.5, CI 95% 4.1–7.4) as well as after a cesarean section (OR 11.9, CI 95% 2.9–48.1). Other predictors in women with a vaginal delivery were: multiparity (OR 1.4; CI 95% 1.1–1.8), obesity (OR 1.6; CI 95% 1.1–2.4) and constipation 4–8 weeks postpartum (OR 1.4; CI 95% 1.1–1.9). Conclusion. Stress incontinence 1 year after childbirth is a common symptom, which could possibly be reduced by identifying women with urinary leakage at the postnatal check‐up.