Bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms 1 year after first delivery: prevalence and the effect of childbirth

Abstract

Most women are not bothered by their LUTS after their first delivery. As the prevalence of bothersome symptoms was highest at 36 weeks of gestation, they are probably part of a normal pregnancy. However, OAB symptoms can be perceived as bothersome. Physiotherapy and bladder training can be offered to women with bothersome LUTS. Bothersome SUI in early pregnancy and a greater maternal age were predictive of bothersome SUI at 1 year after first childbirth. A Caesarean delivery seemed to be protective for bothersome SUI at 1 year after birth, but bothersome UUI was more prevalent after a Caesarean than a vaginal delivery. More research with a larger sample is needed to allow definite statements about the effect of the mode of delivery and bothersome UI symptoms.