Abstract
Objectives
To compare the incidence of early postpartum voiding dysfunction (PPVD) in primiparae women delivered vaginally (VD) to those delivered by elective Caesarean section (CS).
Methods
A prospective study of primiparae in early postpartum period, were grouped into: VD group and CS group. Following the first 24 h from delivery, patients had uroflowmetry and post-void residual urine (PVR) volume measurement.
Results
Two hundred and fifty six primiparae women recruited; 204 (81%) had VD and 48 (19%) had primary elective CS. Forty-two women in the VD group (20.2%) diagnosed with PPVD compared to only four (8.3%) in the CS group (P = 0.05). Within VD group, women who had vaginal tear (86.4% vs. 44%, P < 0.001) or epidural analgesia (33.3% vs. 18.1%, P < 0.05) experienced higher incidence of PPVD.
Conclusion
Women who had normal VD are at higher risk of transient PPVD than those delivered by CS during their early postpartum period.