Pregnancy, labor, delivery, and pelvic organ prolapse1

Abstract

Our data suggest that elective cesarean is only partially effective in preventing pelvic organ prolapse. Cesarean delivery during active labor and vaginal delivery had a similar effect on the maternal pelvic support. This indicates that prolapse developed during the first and not the second stage of labor. Black women are as susceptible to developing prolapse during childbirth as their white counterparts.