Objective: The aim of the study is to analyse urethral mobility and excursion of the pubo-rectal angle, using perineal ultrasound, after normal vaginal delivery and water delivery.
Materials and methods: A total of 52 primiparous women were enrolled: 25 who had delivery in water (W Group), 27 who had delivery without using water (NW Group). Every woman underwent perineal ultrasound assessment at 6 months after having given birth. The following parameters were assessed: urethral mobility during Valsalva's manoeuvre, movement of the puborectal sling angle during contraction of the levator ani muscle.
Results: Data obtained show that the urethral mobility during Valsalva's manoeuvre is higher in the W Group (34.9 degrees) in comparison to the NW Group (29.5 degrees), without statistically significant differences. The excursion of the pubo-rectal sling angle resulted lower in the W Group (8.7 degrees) than in the NW Group (11.0 degrees), without statistically significant differences.
Conclusion: The present study found no statistically differences in pelvic floor, using perineal ultrasound, between water and "non-water" delivery.