The risk of stress incontinence 5 years after first delivery

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the impact of a first pregnancy and delivery on the prevalence of stress incontinence 5 years afterward. Study Design: This longitudinal cohort study included 278 women who were questioned after their first delivery and again 5 years later. Results: The prevalence of stress incontinence 5 years after a first delivery was 30%, and the 5-year incidence was 19%. The risk of stress incontinence 5 years after a first delivery was related to the onset and duration of symptoms after the first pregnancy and delivery in a “dose-response–like” manner. The use of vacuum extraction or episiotomy during the first delivery increased the risk. Conclusions: First pregnancy and delivery may result in stress incontinence 5 years later. Women with incontinence 3 months after a first delivery have a particularly high risk of long-lasting symptoms. Obstetric risk factors are vacuum extraction and episiotomy. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185:82-7.)