COMPARISON OF PELVIC FLOOR DISCOMFORT SYMPTOMS BETWEEN VAGINAL AND CESAREAN DELIVERY WOMEN

Pelvic floor disorders (PAD) include urinary, pelvic and anorectal symptoms. According to the type of delivery performed, the symptoms become more frequent. It is known that there is a greater risk of developing urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women who had a vaginal childbirth when compared to women who had a cesarean section. The aim of the present study was to compare the symptoms of pelvic floor discomfort among puerperal women after vaginal and cesarean deliveries. This is an observational study, conducted in two micro-regions in southern Santa Catarina, with 242 primiparous puerperal women aged 18 years or older. Women with up to 12 months of puerperium were selected. The instruments were applied through an online questionnaire. First, the participants were asked about sample characterization data. Afterwards, the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) was used, which evaluates the symptoms of pelvic, anorectal, and urinary discomfort, with higher scores demonstrating more symptoms of PAD. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially, with a significance level of 5%. Analysis in progress. Postpartum women with normal delivery are more affected by urinary symptoms when compared to postpartum women with cesarean section. It is necessary to conduct studies that seek to create strategies to minimize this type of symptom after vaginal childbirth. The lack of national studies on this theme is highlighted, evidencing the importance of its realization.