Effects of Different Delivery Modes on Pelvic Floor Function in Parturients 6–8 Weeks after Delivery Using Transperineal Four-Dimensional Ultrasound

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of different delivery modes on pelvic floor function in parturients 6–8 weeks after delivery using transperineal four-dimensional ultrasound. METHODS: Pelvic floor function 6–8 weeks after delivery in 40 vaginal delivery parturients between November 2018 and December 2020 was assessed by four-dimensional ultrasound, with 40 selective cesarean section delivery parturients as a control group. The imaging results of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The levels of clinical indexes such as UVJ-M, A(r), A(v), θ, D(r), D(v), and ARJ-VDv in the selective cesarean section group were significantly lower than those in the vaginal delivery group 6–8 weeks after delivery (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference in CV-VD was observed under Valsalva action and at rest between the two groups (P > 0.05). No significant difference in ARJ-VD was found at rest between the two groups (P > 0.05). The incidence of pelvic organ prolapse in the selective cesarean section group (40.0%) was significantly lower than that in the vaginal delivery group (62.5%) (P < 0.05). No significant difference in the parameters of pelvic diaphragm hiatus at rest was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). The parameters of pelvic diaphragm hiatus under maximum Valsalva action in the vaginal delivery group were significantly higher than those in the selective cesarean section group (P < 0.05). Whether the patient was complicated with diabetes had no significant effect on the functional injury of pelvic floor muscle (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The pelvic floor function 6–8 weeks after delivery was significantly more affected in vaginal delivery than in selective cesarean section. Selective cesarean section had certain but limited protective effect on maternal pelvic floor tissue.