Obstetric Perineal Tears, Birth Characteristics and the Association with Urinary Incontinence Among Primiparous Women 12 Months Postpartum: A Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction and Hypothesis

Postpartum urinary incontinence (UI) is common and a concern for many women, as UI leads to a lower quality of life and self-esteem. Perineal tears may be a risk factor for UI, yet few studies have investigated the association between the degree of perineal tear and risk of developing UI postpartum. The objective was to examine how the degree of perineal tear and selected obstetric risk factors were associated with any UI and stress ultrasound (SUI) 12 months postpartum among primiparous women.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted at four Danish hospitals. Baseline data were obtained at a clinical examination 2 weeks postpartum. Symptoms of UI were evaluated 12 months postpartum by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form questionnaire (web-based). Multivariate regression analyses were performed to investigate the risk factors for UI.

Results

A total of 603 primiparous women (203 with none/labia/first-degree tears, 200 with second-degree tears and 200 with third-/fourth-degree tears) were included between July 2015 and January 2018. Women with tears involving the perineal muscles reported any UI more often than women with no/labia or first-degree tears (spontaneous second-degree tear: RR 2.04, 95% CI 0.92–4.50; episiotomy: RR 2.22, 95% CI 0.99–4.96; third- or fourth-degree tear: RR 2.73, 95% CI 1.18–6.28). The same was found for SUI, but with wider confidence intervals.

Conclusions

A higher prevalence of any UI and SUI was found among women with perineal tears involving any perineal muscles, compared with women with no, labia, or first-degree tears.