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Childbirth Trauma pp 43–56Cite as

The Effect of Pregnancy on the Pelvic Floor

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Abstract

Knowledge of physiological and anatomical changes during pregnancy is important for optimal prevention and care. Epidemiological and clinical observational studies have focused on bothersome patient symptoms and changes related to the pelvic floor during pregnancy.

Pelvic floor symptoms are common in pregnant women. These are mostly bladder related symptoms like higher micturition frequency, nocturia and stress urinary incontinence.

Quantitative assessments of the pelvic floor anatomy in pregnancy can be performed by clinical tools like the POP-Q or imaging like ultrasound and magnetic resonance technique.

Objectively, changes in the hiatal area, vaginal location, bladder neck position, anal sphincter muscle thickness and levator ani volume can be identified with ultrasound and MRI in pregnant women.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, Zurich, 8091, Switzerland

    Cornelia Betschart MD

  2. Department of Obstetrics, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, Zurich, 8091, Switzerland

    Josef Wisser MD

Authors
  1. Cornelia Betschart MD
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  2. Josef Wisser MD
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Correspondence to Cornelia Betschart MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom

    Stergios K Doumouchtsis

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Betschart, C., Wisser, J. (2017). The Effect of Pregnancy on the Pelvic Floor. In: Doumouchtsis, S. (eds) Childbirth Trauma. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6711-2_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6711-2_4

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