A double blind randomized controlled trial using copper impregnated maternity sanitary towels to reduce perineal wound infection.

Objective: To investigate the effect of copper impregnated sanitary towels on the infection rate following vaginal delivery (VD).

Design: Single center double blind randomized controlled trial.

Participants: Women aged 18 or over who had a sutured second-degree tear or episiotomy following VD.

Clinical symptoms related to anal sphincter defects and atrophy on external phased-array MR imaging.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Defecatory complaints have a severe impact on quality of life. The additional value of pelvic floor MRI in patients with defecatory complaints is unclear. Our aim was to correlate the presence of defects and atrophy of the anal sphincter complex using pelvic floor MRI in women with mixed pelvic floor symptoms and to establish patient characteristics and self reported complaints predictive of pathology.

The effect of pregnancy and childbirth on pelvic floor muscle function.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The effect of pregnancy and mode of delivery on pelvic floor muscle function (PFMF) is unclear. Our aim was to prospectively evaluate the effect of pregnancy and childbirth on PFMF.

Methods: Subjective (Oxford scale) and objective (perineometry) assessments of PFMF were performed at 20 and 36 weeks gestation and at 14 weeks and 12 months after delivery.