Wellbeing of Women

2006 Grants

Longitudinal study of pelvic floor dysfunction and childbirth. Dr Cathryn Glazener, Dr Nicola Dean and Dr Christine MacArthur, University of Aberdeen, University of Otago and University of Birmingham £109,579 over 2 years

LAY TITLE: The effect of childbirth on women’s health: urinary and faecal incontinence and prolapse

The long-term consequences of childbirth on urinary and faecal incontinence, prolapse and sexual dysfunction (collectively known as pelvic floor dysfunction) are poorly understood and under-researched. It is generally realised that having a baby can have long-lasting effects on women’s health, although very few studies have examined all the relevant symptoms in detail or how often they might occur. These problems can affect a woman’s quality of life eventually leading to the need for treatment such as physiotherapy, drugs or surgery.

This study intends to follow up over 8000 women who were first recruited in 1993-1994, three months after they gave birth, who were surveyed again six years later. The second survey, completed by the same team in 2000, found that around 40% of women had urinary incontinence after giving birth; 10% had faecal incontinence; and 20% showed possible early signs of vaginal prolapse.

Now, 12 years on, this follow-up survey will explore further the natural history of their pelvic floor function and relate it to childbirth and other factors (particularly caesarean section and forceps delivery) in order to unravel the causes of long-term problems and to see how often they occur. It is hoped that this, the longest and largest ongoing long-term study of pelvic floor dysfunction worldwide, will significantly add to our knowledge about the relationship of childbirth with urinary and faecal incontinence and sexual problems. The results will be used to plan services for the future, identify factors which might be open to early intervention to prevent long-term problems, and enable the team to do other research with these women in the future, including long term follow up and trials of different treatments.

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