Levator ani denervation and reinnervation 6 months after childbirth.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of levator ani denervation and reinnervation 6 months after the first delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Ninety-six primigravida women underwent quantitative electromyography of the levator ani during the third trimester and twice postpartum. A 95% confidence interval for normal function was created using interference pattern analysis. Fifty-seven who completed the study are presented in this secondary data analysis. Postpartum muscle sites outside the normal range were considered abnormal. Obstetric and demographic characteristics were assessed. RESULTS: Of 57 subjects, 70% had no denervation. Of the 30% with denervation at 6 weeks, 35% recovered by 6 months. Obstetric or maternal characteristics were not predictive of denervation or reinnervation, except subjects with persistent denervation tended toward lower body mass index (BMI) independent of mode of delivery. CONCLUSION: Nearly one-third of women have levator ani denervation after first delivery, but many recover by 6 months. Denervation is not clearly associated with mode of delivery, but higher maternal BMI may be protective.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- South, MMT; Stinnett, SS; Sanders, DB; Weidner, AC
Published Date
- May 2009
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 200 / 5
Start / End Page
- 519.e1 - 519.e7
PubMed ID
- 19268880
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1097-6868
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.12.044
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States