Assesment of pelvic floor dysfunction in pregnancy using pelvic floor ultrasonography

Objective: Pelvic floor disfunction (PFD) is frequently seen in pregnancy due to the phsiological changes. PFD includes urinary and fecal incontinance, pelvic organ prolapse, sexual disfunction and pelvic pain. Aim: The primary aim of this study is to find a correleation between the symptoms of pelvic floor disfunctions in pregnant woman and perineal ultrasonography parameters. Secondary aims are to determine the risk factors of PFD and its subgrups and also to identify the relationship between these risk factors with pelvic floor muscle strenght and ultrasonography findings. Material and Methods: 49 pregnant woman recruited in the study, were asked to fill questioniares, examined for pelvic floor muscle strenght and undergone transperineal ultrasonoghraphy. Conclusion: Risk factors for pelvic floor disfuncions in pregnancy are found to be; age, body mass index, gestational week, parity and if any, methods of delivery and the birth weight. The hiatal area value of rest, valsalva, pelvic contraction and the difference between valsalva and rest and also the average of detrusor muscle thickness on transperineal ultrasound are found to be associated with pelvic floor disfunctions in pregnancy. KEYWORDS: Pregnancy, pelvic floor disfunction, urinary incontinance, fecal incontinance, sexual disfunction, pelvic pain, pelvic floor ultrasonography, perineal ultrasonography, 3D ultrasonograhy, 4D ultrasonography