Vaginal delivery-related changes in the pelvic organ position and vaginal cross-sectional area in the general population

Abstract

Purpose: Evaluate the effect of vaginal delivery on pelvic organ positions and vaginal cross-sectional areas.

Methods: MRI of 119 premenopausal women were grouped according to the number of deliveries. The distances from the three 3-reference points (bladder, uterus, and rectum) to two 2-lines (pubococcygeal-line (PCL) and midpubic-line (MPL)), length of H- and M-lines and vaginal cross-sectional area were compared between the groups.

Results: With increasing parity, distance from the rectum to PCL tended to increase (nullipara vs. bipara; p<0.01). Vaginal cross-sectional area was larger in bipara and tripara than in nullipara (p<0.01).

Conclusions: Rectal position is more caudally located and vaginal cross-sectional area is larger in bipara than in nullipara.

Keywords: MRI; Pelvic organ; Vagina; Vaginal delivery.