The relationship between neonatal birth weight and urinary incontinence during the late third trimester of pregnancy

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the association between neonatal birth weight and urinary incontinence (UI) during the late third trimester of pregnancy in Thai women. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. One hundred termed singleton pregnancies delivered at Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Centre were enrolled. The data about UI was collected by using the Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis-THAI version (QUID-THAI version), asking the symptoms before pregnancy and last 1 month before delivery. Prevalence rate ratio and chi-square test were used to evaluate the association between UI and neonatal birth weight, as well as attributable risks. Results: Eighty and twenty delivered newborns weight less than 4000 grams and more than 4,000 grams, respectively, 35 women (35%) had symptoms of UI during pregnancy; 24 women (30%) delivered neonatal weight less than 4,000 grams (group A) and 11 women (55%) delivered neonatal weight more than 4,000 grams (group B). The prevalence of stress UI, urge UI and mix UI were 17%, 4% and 14%, respectively. The prevalence of UI in group B was also more than group A (prevalence rate ratio = 1.833, 95%Cl 1.091-3.080, p = 0.036). The neonatal birth weight was the only risk factor that was statistically significant with overall UI in pregnancy. However, pre-pregnancy maternal BMI, caffeine intake, occupation, previous route of delivery and pelvic floor muscle exercise were not shown to be significant. Conclusion: Neonatal birth weight was the only risk factor that associated with UI during the third trimester of pregnancy. The prevalence of UI during pregnancy was 35%. © 2021 Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. All right reserved.