Postpartum urinary incontinence of nulliparous women: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Postpartum urinary incontinence affects women’s quality of life. It is associated with different risk factors during pregnancy and childbirth. We evaluated the persistence of postpartum urinary incontinence and associated risk factors among recently delivered nulliparous women with incontinence during pregnancy. This was a prospective cohort study, which followed up all nulliparous women recruited antenatally from 2012 to 2014 in Al-Ain Hospital, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates, who developed urinary incontinence for the first time during pregnancy. Three months after giving birth they were interviewed face-to-face, using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire, and divided into 2 groups: those who had urinary incontinence and those without it. Risk factors were compared between the 2 groups. Of the 101 participants interviewed, postpartum urinary incontinence continued in 14 (13.7%) while 87 (86.3%) recovered from it. The comparative analysis did not show any statistically significant difference between the 2 groups for sociodemographic risk factors nor for antenatal risk factors. Childbirth-related risk factors were also not statistically significant. Recovery from incontinence during pregnancy in nulliparous women was over 85% as postpartum urinary incontinence affected only a small proportion at 3 months following delivery. Expectant management is advised instead of invasive interventions in these patients.