The Impact of Pregnancy and Mode of Delivery on Female Pelvic Floor Function: A Narrative Review

Objective: To summarize and discuss the impact of pregnancy and mode of delivery on pelvic floor function, and to clarify current methods for predicting and preventing pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). Mechanism:...

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Main Authors: Xin Xing, Wei Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IMR Press 2025-05-01
Series:Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/52/5/10.31083/CEOG37358
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author Xin Xing
Wei Guo
author_facet Xin Xing
Wei Guo
author_sort Xin Xing
collection DOAJ
description Objective: To summarize and discuss the impact of pregnancy and mode of delivery on pelvic floor function, and to clarify current methods for predicting and preventing pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). Mechanism: The author conducted a literature search in the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase databases, focusing on studies from the past 5 years. The search included the keywords: “pelvic floor disorders”, “pelvic organ prolapse”, “urinary incontinence”, “anal incontinence”, “pregnancy”, and “mode of delivery”. To our knowledge, this is the first review to comprehensively analyze the influence of pregnancy and delivery on pelvic floor function, identify associated risk factors, and discuss methods for predicting and preventing PFD based on these risk factors. Findings in Brief: Pregnancy and delivery are closely associated with the occurrence of PFD, and different types of PFD are linked to distinct risk factors. Most of these risk factors are difficult to modify, which further emphasizes the significance of preventive measures. Pelvic floor muscle training should be encouraged both during the pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Conclusions: Clinicians should perform a comprehensive analysis based on individual risk factors, pregnancy-related symptoms, and physical examination results to identify high-risk individuals and offer personalized recommendations for pregnancy and postpartum rehabilitation suggestions, especially pelvic floor muscle training, in order to lower the incidence of PFD.
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spelling doaj-art-d46f0cc19d604bb5873fc1fe7073f3fe2025-08-20T03:25:59ZengIMR PressClinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology0390-66632025-05-015253735810.31083/CEOG37358S0390-6663(25)02594-1The Impact of Pregnancy and Mode of Delivery on Female Pelvic Floor Function: A Narrative ReviewXin Xing0Wei Guo1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 250014 Jinan, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 250014 Jinan, Shandong, ChinaObjective: To summarize and discuss the impact of pregnancy and mode of delivery on pelvic floor function, and to clarify current methods for predicting and preventing pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). Mechanism: The author conducted a literature search in the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase databases, focusing on studies from the past 5 years. The search included the keywords: “pelvic floor disorders”, “pelvic organ prolapse”, “urinary incontinence”, “anal incontinence”, “pregnancy”, and “mode of delivery”. To our knowledge, this is the first review to comprehensively analyze the influence of pregnancy and delivery on pelvic floor function, identify associated risk factors, and discuss methods for predicting and preventing PFD based on these risk factors. Findings in Brief: Pregnancy and delivery are closely associated with the occurrence of PFD, and different types of PFD are linked to distinct risk factors. Most of these risk factors are difficult to modify, which further emphasizes the significance of preventive measures. Pelvic floor muscle training should be encouraged both during the pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Conclusions: Clinicians should perform a comprehensive analysis based on individual risk factors, pregnancy-related symptoms, and physical examination results to identify high-risk individuals and offer personalized recommendations for pregnancy and postpartum rehabilitation suggestions, especially pelvic floor muscle training, in order to lower the incidence of PFD.https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/52/5/10.31083/CEOG37358pelvic floor disorderspelvic organ prolapseurinary incontinenceanal incontinencepregnancymode of delivery
spellingShingle Xin Xing
Wei Guo
The Impact of Pregnancy and Mode of Delivery on Female Pelvic Floor Function: A Narrative Review
Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology
pelvic floor disorders
pelvic organ prolapse
urinary incontinence
anal incontinence
pregnancy
mode of delivery
title The Impact of Pregnancy and Mode of Delivery on Female Pelvic Floor Function: A Narrative Review
title_full The Impact of Pregnancy and Mode of Delivery on Female Pelvic Floor Function: A Narrative Review
title_fullStr The Impact of Pregnancy and Mode of Delivery on Female Pelvic Floor Function: A Narrative Review
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of Pregnancy and Mode of Delivery on Female Pelvic Floor Function: A Narrative Review
title_short The Impact of Pregnancy and Mode of Delivery on Female Pelvic Floor Function: A Narrative Review
title_sort impact of pregnancy and mode of delivery on female pelvic floor function a narrative review
topic pelvic floor disorders
pelvic organ prolapse
urinary incontinence
anal incontinence
pregnancy
mode of delivery
url https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/52/5/10.31083/CEOG37358
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