Objective:

To assess the obstetrics risk factors for postpartum urinary retention after vaginal delivery.

Material and Methods:

Of 234 women with a vaginal delivery, 19 (8.1%) women who had postpartum urinary retention were cases, and 215 (91.9%) women who did not were controls. Postpartum urinary retention was defined as the presence of postvoid residual bladder volume ≥150 mL or the inability to void within 6 hours after vaginal delivery. Logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for urinary retention.

Results:

Prolonged duration of the second stage of labor (OR=0.46, 95% CI for OR=0.06-3.67, p<0.001), presence of episiotomy (OR=0.07, 95% CI for OR=0.01-0.68, p=0.022) and perineal laceration (OR=97.09, 95% CI for OR=7.93-1188.93, p<0.001), and birth weight of >4000 g for the newborn (OR=0.04, 95% CI for OR=0.01-0.20, p<0.001) were found as independent risk factors for postpartum urinary retention after vaginal delivery.

Conclusion:

Postpartum urinary retention after vaginal delivery is a relatively common condition. Awareness of risk factors, including prolonged second stage of labor, episiotomy, perineal lacerations, and macrosomic birth, may allow us to take the necessary precautions against this complication.

Keywords: Bladder, delivery, risk factors, urinary retention