Pelvic organ support among primiparous women in the first year after childbirth.

Introduction and hypothesis: This study describes pelvic organ support after childbirth.

Methods: This ancillary analysis of the Childbirth and Pelvic Symptoms Imaging Study compares pelvic organ prolapse quantification 6-12 months after childbirth among three cohorts of primiparous women: vaginal delivery with sphincter tear (n = 106), vaginal delivery without sphincter tear (n = 108), and cesarean without labor (n = 39).

Results: Of participants, 31.2% had stage II support. Prolapse to or beyond the hymen was present in 14% after vaginal delivery with sphincter tear (95% confidence interval 8%, 22%), 15% (9%, 24%) after vaginal delivery without sphincter tear, and 5% (1%, 17%) after cesarean without labor (p = 0.23). A study of 132 women per group would be required for 80% power to test differences between 5% and 15%.

Conclusions: While these data provide insufficient power to dismiss a difference in pelvic organ support between modes of delivery, they add to our understanding of support following childbirth.