Mode of delivery and persistence of pelvic girdle syndrome 6 months postpartum

Objective: We sought to study the association between mode of delivery and persistent pelvic girdle syndrome (PGS) (pain in anterior and bilateral posterior pelvis) 6 months postpartum.

Study design: We followed up 10,400 women with singleton deliveries in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study who reported PGS in pregnancy week 30 (1999 through 2008). Data were obtained by 3 self-administered questionnaires and linked to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway.

Results: Planned cesarean section was associated with the presence of severe PGS 6 months postpartum (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-3.9). In women who used crutches during pregnancy, emergency (adjusted OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.0-4.0) and planned (adjusted OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.9-5.9) cesarean section were each associated with severe PGS.

Conclusion: The results suggest an increased risk of severe PGS 6 months postpartum in women who underwent a cesarean section vs women who had an unassisted vaginal delivery.