Changes in uterine flexion caused by cesarean section: correlation between post-flexion and deficient cesarean section scars

• Published in: Journal of medical ultrasonics (2001) Vol. 43; no. 2; pp. 237 - 242
• Main Authors: Ryo, Eiji, Sakurai, Rina, Kamata, Hideo, Seto, Michiharu, Morita, Masayoshi, Ayabe, Takuya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Springer Japan 01.04.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Cesarean section; Cesarean Section - adverse effects; Childbirth & labor; Cicatrix - diagnostic imaging; Cicatrix - etiology; Female; Humans; Imaging; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Placenta; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy complications; Radiology; Scars; Ultrasonography; Ultrasound; Uterus; Uterus - diagnostic imaging; Vagina; Women; Niche; Post-flexion; Uterine flexion; Cesarean section; Deficient scar
• ISSN: 1346-4523; 1613-2254
• DOI: 10.1007/s10396-015-0678-5

Purpose To investigate changes in uterine flexion after cesarean delivery in comparison with vaginal delivery, and their relationship with the presence of deficient cesarean section scars. Methods In 147 women who had a vaginal delivery and 101 women who had a cesarean delivery, transvaginal ultrasonographic photographs of the uterus were obtained at the first trimester of pregnancy and at 1 month postpartum, and they were reviewed to determine changes in uterine flexion. The presence of a deficient cesarean section scar was also reviewed in women with a cesarean section. Results Changes in uterine flexion were observed more frequently among the woman with a cesarean delivery than in those with a vaginal delivery. The incidence of post-flexed uterus during puerperium tended to increase depending on the number of cesarean sections the woman had undergone. In the women with a cesarean section, changes in uterine flexion were more frequently observed in the women with a deficient cesarean section scar than in those without one. Conclusion Changes in uterine flexion after birth occurred more frequently in the women who had a cesarean delivery than in those who had a vaginal delivery, especially in the presence of a deficient cesarean section scar.