Abstract:
This study was undertaken to determine the incidence and the short term clinical
implications of urinary bladder dysfunction and to assess what maternal , fetal and obstetric
risk factors are associated with it. In addition, the validity and the reliability of the ultrasonic
assessment of the post void bladder volume was objectively evaluated . In order to achieve
these objectives a prospective observational study was done at a University affiliated
maternity ward in a tertiary care hospital. The study population comprised 605 consecutive
, unselected mothers who had delivered vaginally. Computer based statistical packages were
used in the analysis of data, and non-parametric tests were deployed as the data did not
show a normal distribution. Ultrasonic measurements and urethral catheter estimates
exhibited a strong positive linear relationship. 33 percent patients ( of 5.45 percent) were
diagnosed with post partum voiding dysfunction. Of the Possible risk factors that were
under evaluation prim parity, long duration of labour, increased birth weight, instrumental
delivery, and perineal trauma were found to have a positive linear relationship with post
void bladder volumes, while maternal age, BMI and POA did not show such a relationship.
Short term follow up the patient diagnosed with post partum bladder dysfunction on the
basis of abnormal voiding parameters did not show emergencies of new symptoms of
voiding dysfunction and the abnormal bladder volumes were noted to resolve
spontaneously with time. It was concluded that trend abdominal ultrasound scan is a reliable
alternative to urethral catheterization in the Measurement of the post partum post void
bladder volume.
