A Comparison of Vaginal Pressures and Abdominal Muscle Thickness According to Childbirth Delivery Method during the Valsalva Maneuver

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of childbirth delivery method on vaginal pressure and abdominal thickness during the Valsalva maneuver (VAL). [Subjects] Thirty healthy female volunteers (26–39 years of age) were selected for this research. Their delivery histories were: nulliparous 10, vaginal delivery 10, and Cesarean delivery 10. None of the participants had a history of incontinence. [Methods] In the crook-lying position, a perineometer probe was inserted into the vagina and the transducer was placed transversely on the right side of the body during the Valsalva maneuver. [Results] There were significant differences in the thickness of the transverses abdominis (TrA) between in all the groups rest and the Valsalva maneuver, and there were significant differences in the internus oblique (IO) in the nulliparous group. During the Valsalva maneuver, there were significant differences in the TrA between the nulliparous group and the vaginal delivery group, and there were significant differences in the IO between the nulliparous delivery group and the vaginal delivery group, and between the nulliparous group and the Cesarean section group. Delivery history changed vaginal pressure, and there were significant differences between the nulliparous group and the vaginal delivery group, and between the nulliparous group and the Cesarean delivery group. [Conclusion] Pregnancy and delivery method may affect pelvic floor and abdominal muscles during the Valsalva maneuver.

The effect of parity on pelvic floor muscle strength and quality of life in women with urinary incontinence: a cross sectional study

“…However, Faltin et al 22 ) analyzed 100 women at 3 and 30 months after their first delivery and reported that subsequent deliveries increase the risk of anal incontinence, especially in women with a sphincter defect after their first delivery. Kım et al 23 ) found significant differences between their nulliparous group and vaginal delivery group; and between their nulliparous group and Cesarean delivery group, and their results suggest that child birth delivery method changes the vaginal pressure. Peschers et al 24 ) used palpation, perineometry, and perineal ultrasound 3–8 days after delivery to evaluate PFM strength values of primiparous and multiparous women who had vaginal deliveries.…”

The Effect of Pelvic Floor Muscles Exercise on Quality of Life in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence and Its Relationship with Vaginal Deliveries: A Randomized Trial

“…In their investigation, Kim et al [21] performed the Valsalva maneuver in three groups: nulliparous, women who had given birth naturally, and women who had a C-section. The authors performed ultrasound measurement of the muscle thickness, simultaneously assessing intravaginal pressure by means of a perineometer.…”

Knowledge of the pelvic floor in nulliparous women

“…Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) can lead to mild or even devastating consequences such as urinary incontinence (UI), fecal incontinence (FI), pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and sexual problems 6 ) . The major known risk factors that contribute to PFD are pregnancy and childbirth, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and menopause 1 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ) .…”