The relationship between mode of delivery and pelvic organ prolapse in women: A cross-sectional study

Pelvic organs prolapse is one of the most common disorders in women. There are conflicting studies on the relationship between mode of delivery and pelvic organ prolapse. Therefore, this study was performed with aim to determine the relationship between mode of delivery and pelvic organ prolapse in women.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 250 women referring to the health-treatment centers in Mashhad. Data collection tools included the researcher-made questionnaire (demographic and midwifery information and the form of recording observations and examinations). The necessary examinations were performed to determine the prolapse of pelvic organs as well as its severity and type. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16) and Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Spearman correlation coefficient tests. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Based on univariate regression results, in women with normal delivery compared to cesarean section, the chance of having a degree 2 cystocell compared to zero is 23.67 times, the chance of having a second degree rectus cell to zero is 31.13 times, the degree 2 anterocell to zero is 12.21 times and degree 2 uterine prolapse to zero is 7.38 times (p <0.001). In terms of frequency of prolapse, in the normal delivery group, grade 1 cystocele (54.4%), grade 1 uterine prolapse (52%) and grade 1 rectocele (46.4%) had the highest frequency, and in the cesarean delivery group, grade 1 uterine prolapse (57.6%), grade 1 cystocele (52%) and grade 1 rectocele (36.0%) were more common.

The frequency and severity of pelvic organ prolapse was higher in women with normal delivery than cesarean section.