Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in US Women: Contemporary Prevalence Estimates from the RISE FOR HEALTH Study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of a wide range of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in US women, and explore associations with bother and discussion with health care providers, friends, and family. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed baseline data collected from May 2022 to December 2023 in the RISE FOR HEALTH study-a large, regionally representative cohort study of adult female community members. LUTS and related bother were measured by the 10-item Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network Symptom Index, and discussion was assessed by a study-specific item. RESULTS: Of the 3000 eligible participants, 73% (95% CI 71%-74%) reported any storage symptoms, 52% (95% CI 50%-53%) any voiding or emptying symptoms, and 11% (95% CI 10%-13%) any pain with bladder filling, for an overall LUTS prevalence of 79% (95% CI 78%-81%). This prevalence estimate included 43% (95% CI 41%-45%) of participants with mild to moderate symptoms and 37% (95% CI 35%-38%) with moderate to severe symptoms. Over one-third of participants reported LUTS-related bother (38%, 95% CI 36%-39%) and discussion (38%, 95% CI 36%-40%), whereas only 7.1% (95% CI 6.2%-8.1%) reported treatment. Urgency and incontinence (including urgency and stress incontinence) were associated with the greatest likelihood of bother and/or discussion (adjusted prevalence ratios = 1.3-2.3), even at mild to moderate levels. They were also the most commonly treated LUTS. CONCLUSIONS: LUTS, particularly storage LUTS such as urgency and incontinence, were common and bothersome in the RISE study population, yet often untreated. Given this large burden, both prevention and treatment-related interventions are warranted to reduce the high prevalence and bother of LUTS.

Associations of financial strain and unmet social needs with women's bladder health.

OBJECTIVE: Financial strain and unmet social needs are associated with greater risk for lower urinary tract symptoms. Little research has examined financial strain and unmet social needs in relation to the more holistic concept of bladder health. This study utilizes baseline data from RISE FOR HEALTH: A U.S. Study of Bladder Health to examine whether financial strain, unmet social needs, and meeting specific federal poverty level threshold levels are associated with lower urinary tract symptoms and poorer perceived bladder health, well-being, and function. STUDY DESIGN: Participants were 18 years or older, born female or currently identified as a woman, and from the civilian, noninstitutionalized population residing in 50 counties in the United States that included or surrounded 9 recruitment centers. Data were collected through mailed or internet-based surveys. To address research questions, the 10-item Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network - Symptom Index and selected Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Consortium bladder health scores were separately regressed on each financial strain, unmet social need, and federal poverty level variable, using linear regression adjusting for covariates (age, race/ethnicity, education, and vaginal parity) and robust variance estimation for confidence intervals (CI). Participants with no missing data for a given analysis were included (range of n=2564-3170). In separate sensitivity analyses, body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes were added as covariates and missing data were imputed. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 51.5 years (standard deviation=18.4). Not having enough money to make ends meet, housing insecurity, food insecurity, unreliable transportation, and percent federal poverty levels of 300% or less were consistently associated with more reported lower urinary tract symptoms and poorer perceived bladder health. For example, compared to food secure participants, women who worried that their food would run out at the end of the month had a Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network - Symptom Index score that was 3.4 points higher (95% CI: 2.5, 4.3), on average. They also had lower mean scores across different bladder health measures, each assessed using a 100-point scale: global bladder health (-8.2, 95% CI: -10.8, -5.7), frequency (-10.2, 95% CI: -13.8, -6.7), sensation (-11.6, 95% CI: -15.1, -8.2), continence (-13.3, 95% CI: -16.7, -9.9), and emotional impact of bladder health status (-13.2, 95% CI: -16.5, -9.9). Across analyses, associations largely remained significant after additional adjustment for body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes. The pattern of results when imputing missing data was similar to that observed with complete case analysis; all significant associations remained significant with imputation. CONCLUSION: Financial strain and unmet social needs are associated with worse LUTS and poorer bladder health. Longitudinal research is needed to examine whether financial strain and unmet social needs influence the development, maintenance, and worsening of lower urinary tract symptoms; different mechanisms by which financial strain and unmet social needs may impact symptoms; and the degree to which symptoms contribute to financial strain. If supported by etiologic research, prevention research can be implemented to determine whether the amelioration of financial strain and social needs, including enhanced access to preventative care, may promote bladder health across the life course.

Drivers of variation in postpartum opioid prescribing across hospitals participating in a statewide maternity care quality collaborative.

BACKGROUND: We describe variation in postpartum opioid prescribing across a statewide quality collaborative and assess the proportion due to practitioner and hospital characteristics. METHODS: We assessed postpartum prescribing data from nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex births between January 2020 and June 2021 included in the clinical registry of a statewide obstetric quality collaborative funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Mixed effect logistic regression and linear models adjusted for patient characteristics and assessed practitioner- and hospital-level predictors of receiving a postpartum opioid prescription and prescription size. Relative contributions of practitioner and hospital characteristics were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Of 40,589 patients birthing at 68 hospitals, 3.0% (872/29,412) received an opioid prescription after vaginal birth and 87.8% (9812/11,177) received one after cesarean birth, with high variation across hospitals. In adjusted models, the strongest patient-level predictors of receiving a prescription were cesarean birth (aOR 899.1, 95% CI 752.8-1066.7) and third-/fourth-degree perineal laceration (aOR 25.7, 95% CI 17.4-37.9). Receiving care from a certified nurse-midwife (aOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.48-0.82) or family medicine physician (aOR 0.60, 95%CI 0.39-0.91) was associated with lower prescribing rates. Hospital-level predictors included receiving care at hospitals with <500 annual births (aOR 4.07, 95% CI 1.61-15.0). A positive safety culture was associated with lower prescribing rates (aOR 0.37, 95% CI 0.15-0.88). Much of the variation in postpartum prescribing was attributable to practitioners and hospitals (prescription receipt: practitioners 25.1%, hospitals 12.1%; prescription size: practitioners 5.4%, hospitals: 52.2%). DISCUSSION: Variation in postpartum opioid prescribing after birth is high and driven largely by practitioner- and hospital-level factors. Opioid stewardship efforts targeted at both the practitioner and hospital level may be effective for reducing opioid prescribing harms.

Exploring women's bladder self-care practices: A qualitative secondary analysis.

AIMS: To describe women's experiences with a range of bladder self-care practices. DESIGN: We conducted a secondary, directed content analysis of qualitative data from the Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities and Experiences, a multisite focus group study designed to explore adolescent and adult women's experiences, perceptions, beliefs, knowledge and behaviours related to bladder health. This study was conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases' Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Consortium. Study methods were informed by the Consortium's conceptual framework, based on a social ecological model adapted from Glass and McAtee's Society-Behavior-Biology Nexus. METHODS: Participants were recruited at seven geographically diverse United States research centres between July 2017 and April 2018. Data for the current analysis were collected using a semi-structured discussion group with 36 focus groups involving 316 community-dwelling adult women aged 18-93 years. Coded text was re-examined according to eight self-care behavioural domains identified through literature review and expert opinion as potentially influencing bladder health. RESULTS: Participants described many self-care practices they had adopted to prevent bladder problems or manage existing symptoms and conditions. Eight themes were identified: 'Choosing fluids, foods and medications'; 'Dressing for bladder health'; 'Promoting bodily cleanliness'; 'Managing toileting environments'; 'Timing when to void'; 'Exercising pelvic floor muscles for bladder control'; 'Limiting physical activities that challenge the bladder' and 'Staying home and navigating when away'. Thirteen subthemes were derived from five of the eight themes. CONCLUSION: Women use a broad array of self-care practices related to their bladder health. Research is needed to examine the efficacy of self-care behaviours for preventing or managing bladder symptoms and conditions, and to discern potential risks. Results have important implications for development of bladder health promotion interventions and public health messaging around women's bladder health. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: This study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding women's bladder self-care practices, which can be used by clinicians and public health professionals in designing interventions to promote bladder health and function. IMPACT: Women with and without lower urinary tract symptoms use a broad range of self-care practices that may affect their bladder health, including some that may be harmful. Because of the high prevalence of bladder symptoms in women, this study may help patient assessment and counselling regarding self-care practices. REPORTING METHOD: This study was reported according to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Association Between Maternal Depression and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Their Primary School-Age Daughters: A Birth Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Although maternal depression is associated with adverse outcomes in women and children, its relationship with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in offspring is less well-characterized. We examined the association between prenatal and postpartum maternal depression and LUTS in primary school-age daughters. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 7148 mother-daughter dyads from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. METHOD: Mothers completed questionnaires about depressive symptoms at 18 and 32 weeks' gestation and 21 months postpartum and their children's LUTS (urinary urgency, nocturia, and daytime and nighttime wetting) at 6, 7, and 9 years of age. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between maternal depression and LUTS in daughters. RESULTS: Compared to daughters of mothers without depression, those born to mothers with prenatal and postpartum depression had higher odds of LUTS, including urinary urgency (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] range = 1.99-2.50) and nocturia (aOR range = 1.67-1.97) at 6, 7, and 9 years of age. Additionally, daughters born to mothers with prenatal and postpartum depression had higher odds of daytime wetting (aOR range = 1.81-1.99) and nighttime wetting (aOR range = 1.63-1.95) at 6 and 7 years of age. Less consistent associations were observed for depression limited to the prenatal or postpartum periods only. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to maternal depression in the prenatal and postpartum periods was associated with an increased likelihood of LUTS in daughters. This association may be an important opportunity for childhood LUTS prevention. Prevention strategies should reflect an understanding of potential biological and environmental mechanisms through which maternal depression may influence childhood LUTS.

Validation of bladder health scales and function indices for women's research.

BACKGROUND: Existing bladder-specific measures lack the ability to assess the full range of bladder health, from poor to optimal health. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report evidence of validity of the self-administered, multidimensional bladder health scales and function indices for research in adult women. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional population-based validation study with random assignment to paper or electronic administration was conducted using national address-based probability sampling supplemented by purposive sampling of women with lower urinary tract symptoms in 7 clinical research centers. Construct validity of the bladder health scales and function indices was guided by a multitrait-multimethod approach using health and condition-specific questionnaires, bladder diaries, expert ratings of bladder health, and noninvasive bladder function testing. Internal dimensional validity was evaluated using factor analysis; internal reliability was assessed using paired t-tests and 2-way mixed-effects intraclass correlation coefficient models. Chi-square, Fisher exact, or t-tests were used for mode comparisons. Convergent validity was evaluated using Pearson correlations with the external construct measures, and known-group validity was established with comparison of women known and unknown to be symptomatic of urinary conditions. RESULTS: The sample included 1072 participants. Factor analysis identified 10 scales, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.74 to 0.94. Intraclass correlation coefficients of scales ranged from 0.55 to 0.94. Convergent validity of the 10 scales and 6 indices ranged from 0.52 to 0.83. Known-group validity was confirmed for all scales and indices. Item distribution was similar by mode of administration. CONCLUSION: The paper and electronic forms of the bladder health scales and function indices are reliable and valid measures of bladder health for use in women's health research.

Outcomes of Elective Induction of Labor at 39 Weeks from a Statewide Collaborative Quality Initiative.

OBJECTIVE: This article evaluates the impact of adopting a practice of elective induction of labor (eIOL) at 39 weeks among nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex (NTSV) pregnancies in a statewide collaborative. STUDY DESIGN: We used data from a statewide maternity hospital collaborative quality initiative to analyze pregnancies that reached 39 weeks without a medical indication for delivery. We compared patients who underwent an eIOL versus those who experienced expectant management. The eIOL cohort was subsequently compared with a propensity score-matched cohort who were expectantly managed. The primary outcome was cesarean birth rate. Secondary outcomes included time to delivery and maternal and neonatal morbidities. Chi-square test, t-test, logistic regression, and propensity score matching methods were used for analysis. RESULTS: In 2020, 27,313 NTSV pregnancies were entered into the collaborative's data registry. A total of 1,558 women underwent eIOL and 12,577 were expectantly managed. Women in the eIOL cohort were more likely to be ≥35 years old (12.1 vs. 5.3%, p < 0.001), identify as white non-Hispanic (73.9 vs. 66.8%, p < 0.001), and be privately insured (63.0 vs. 61.3%, p = 0.04). When compared with all expectantly managed women, eIOL was associated with a higher cesarean birth rate (30.1 vs. 23.6%, p < 0.001). When compared with a propensity score-matched cohort, eIOL was not associated with a difference in cesarean birth rate (30.1 vs. 30.7%, p = 0.697). Time from admission to delivery was longer for the eIOL cohort compared with the unmatched (24.7 ± 12.3 vs. 16.3 ± 11.3 hours, p < 0.001) and matched (24.7 ± 12.3 vs. 20.1 ± 12.0 hours, p < 0.001) cohorts. Expectantly managed women were less likely to have a postpartum hemorrhage (8.3 vs. 10.1%, p = 0.02) or operative delivery (9.3 vs. 11.4%, p = 0.029), whereas women who underwent an eIOL were less likely to have a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (5.5 vs. 9.2%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: eIOL at 39 weeks may not be associated with a reduced NTSV cesarean delivery rate. KEY POINTS: · Elective IOL at 39 weeks may not be associated with a reduced NTSV cesarean delivery rate.. · The practice of elective induction of labor may not be equitably applied across birthing people.. · Further research is needed to identify best practices to support people undergoing labor induction..

Universal precautions: the case for consistently trauma-informed reproductive healthcare.

In the United States, about 1 in 5 women have experienced childhood sexual abuse, and a similar proportion experience rape as adults. Childhood sexual abuse and other forms of trauma have serious impacts on our patients' reproductive health. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends universal screening for a history of sexual abuse and universal application of a trauma-informed approach to care. Despite these recommendations, universal screening is far from universally practiced, and trauma-informed care, despite being the standard of care, is far from standard. Given the high prevalence of trauma in the United States, its impact on perinatal outcomes, the sensitive nature of reproductive healthcare, and the likelihood that many patients may not disclose their trauma history, we advocate for trauma-informed reproductive healthcare as the standard of care.

Value-Based Payment: What Does It Mean for Nurses?

Among the many lessons that have been reinforced by the SARS-COVID-19 pandemic is the failure of our current fee-for-service health care system to either adequately respond to patient needs or offer financial sustainability. This has enhanced bipartisan interest in moving forward with value-based payment reforms. Nurses have a rich history of innovative care models that speak to their potential centrality in delivery system reforms. However, deficits in terms of educational preparation, and in some cases resistance, to considering cost alongside quality, has hindered the profession's contribution to the conversation about value-based payments and their implications for system change. Addressing this deficit will allow nurses to more fully engage in redesigning health care to better serve the physical, emotional, and economic well-being of this nation. It also has the potential to unleash nurses from the tethers of a fee-for-service system where they have been relegated to a labor cost and firmly locate nurses in a value-generating role. Nurse administrators and educators bear the responsibility for preparing nurses for this next chapter of nursing.

Association of pubovisceral muscle tear with functional capacity of urethral closure: evaluating maternal recovery from labor and delivery.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal birth is a risk factor for pubovisceral muscle tear, decreased urethral closure pressure, and urinary incontinence. The relationship between these 3 factors is complicated. Urinary continence relies on maintaining urethral closure pressure, particularly when low urethral closure pressure can usefully be augmented by a volitional pelvic muscle (Kegel) contraction just before and during stress events like a cough. However, it is unknown whether a torn pubovisceral muscle decreases the ability to increase urethral closure during an attempted pelvic muscle contraction. OBJECTIVE: We tested the null hypothesis that a pubovisceral muscle tear does not affect the ability to increase urethral closure pressure during a volitional pelvic muscle contraction in the Evaluating Maternal Recovery from Labor and Delivery (EMRLD) study. STUDY DESIGN: We studied 56 women 8 months after their first vaginal birth. All had at least 1 risk factor for pubovisceral muscle tear (eg, forceps and long second stage). A tear was assessed bilaterally by magnetic resonance imaging. Urethral closure pressure was measured both at rest and during an attempted volitional pelvic muscle contraction. A Student t test was used to compare urethral closure pressures. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate the effect of a magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed pubovisceral muscle tear on volitionally contracted urethral closure pressure after adjusting for resting urethral closure pressure. RESULTS: The mean age was just a little more than 30 years, with the majority being white. By magnetic resonance imaging measure, unadjusted for other factors, the 21 women with tear had significantly lower urethral closure pressure during an attempted contraction compared with the 35 women without tear (65.9 vs 86.8 cm H2O, respectively, P = .004), leading us to reject the null hypothesis. No significant group difference was found in resting urethral closure pressure. After adjusting for resting urethral closure pressure, pubovisceral muscle tear was associated with lower urethral closure pressure (beta = -21.1, P = .001). CONCLUSION: In the first postpartum year, the presence of a pubovisceral muscle tear did not influence resting urethral closure. However, women with a pubovisceral muscle tear achieved a 25% lower urethral closure pressure during an attempted pelvic muscle contraction than those without a pubovisceral muscle tear. These women with pubovisceral muscle tear may not respond to classic behavioral interventions, such as squeeze when you sneeze or strengthen through repetitive pelvic muscle exercises. When a rapid rise to maximum urethral pressure is used as a conscious volitional maneuver, it appears to be reliant on the ability to recruit the intact pubovisceral muscle to simultaneously contract the urethral striated muscle.

New persistent opioid use after acute opioid prescribing in pregnancy: a nationwide analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between opioid prescribing during pregnancy and new persistent opioid use in the year following delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This nationwide retrospective cohort study included patients aged 12-55 years in Optum's deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart Database who were undergoing vaginal delivery or cesarean delivery from 2008 to 2016, with continuous enrollment from 2 years before birth to 1 year postdischarge. Women were included if they were opioid naive in pregnancy (ie, did not fill an opioid prescription 2 years to 9 months before delivery) and did not undergo a procedure within the year after discharge. The exposure was filling an opioid prescription in pregnancy. The primary outcome was new persistent opioid use, defined as a pharmacy claim for ≥1 opioid prescription between 4 and 90 days postdischarge and ≥1 prescription between 91 and 365 days postdischarge. Clinical and demographic covariates were included. Analyses included descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for clinical and demographic covariates. RESULTS: Of 158,425 childbirths identified, 101,013 (63.8%) were by vaginal delivery and 57,412 (36.2%) cesarean delivery. Among all patients, 6.0% (9429) filled an opioid prescription during pregnancy. The factors associated with filling an opioid in pregnancy were having a nondelivery procedure in pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio, 9.60; 95% confidence interval, 8.81-10.47) and having an emergency room visit during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio, 2.48; 95% confidence interval, 2.37-2.59). Of women who received an opioid in pregnancy, 4% (379) developed new persistent opioid use. The factors most associated with new persistent opioid use were receiving an opioid prescription during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio, 3.45; 95% confidence interval, 3.04-3.92) and filling a peripartum opioid prescription (1 week prior to 3 days postdischarge) adjusted odds ratio, 2.28, 95% confidence interval (2.02-2.57). Though having a procedure during pregnancy was associated with increased receipt of an opioid prescription, it was also associated with reduced new persistent opioid use (adjusted odds ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.99). CONCLUSION: Women who receive an opioid prescription during pregnancy are more likely to experience new persistent opioid use. Maternity care providers must balance pain management in pregnancy with potential risks of opioids.

Defining "normal recovery" of pelvic floor function and appearance in a high-risk vaginal delivery cohort.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Childbirth pelvic floor trauma leads to pelvic floor disorders. Identification of significant injuries would facilitate intervention for recovery. Our objectives were to identify differences in pelvic floor appearance and function following delivery and patterns of normal recovery in women sustaining high-risk labor events. METHODS: We completed a prospective cohort study comparing women undergoing vaginal births involving risk factors for pelvic floor injury with women undergoing cesareans. Data were collected on multidimensional factors including levator ani muscle (LA) tears. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were used to compare the groups. We identified potential markers of pelvic floor injury based on effect size. RESULTS: Eighty-two women post-vaginal delivery and 30 women post-cesarean enrolled. The vaginal group had decreased perineal body length between early postpartum, 6 weeks (p < 0.001), and 6 months (p = 0.001). POP-Q points did not change between any time point (all p > 0.05). Measures of strength improved between each time point (all p < 0.002). When compared with cesarean delivery, women post-vaginal birth had longer genital hiatus and lower anterior and posterior vaginal walls (all p < 0.05). Based on theoretical considerations and effect sizes, those with Bp ≥0 cm, Kegel force ≤1.50 N, and/or an LA tear on imaging were considered to have significant pelvic floor injury. Using this definition, at 6 weeks, 27 (46.4%) women were classified as injured. At 6 months, 13 (29.6%) remained injured. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that pelvic floor muscle strength, posterior vaginal wall support, and imaging consistent with LA tear are potential indicators of abnormal or prolonged recovery in this cohort with high-risk labor events.

Maternity Providers' Perspectives on Barriers to Utilization of Intermittent Fetal Monitoring: A Qualitative Study.

There are 2 approaches to fetal assessment during labor: continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) and intermittent auscultation (IA). The vast majority of healthy labors in the United States use EFM, despite professional organization recommendations against its use for low-risk pregnancies. This qualitative investigation explores maternity care team members' perspectives on why EFM is the dominant approach to fetal assessment instead of IA. Focus groups comprised of nurses, midwives, and physicians were conducted using a semistructured interview guide. Transcripts were analyzed using directed content analysis to identify themes related to clinical and nonclinical factors influencing the type of fetal assessment employed during labor. Seven focus groups with a total of 41 participants were completed. Seven themes were identified: clinical environment; technology; policies, procedures, and evidence-based protocols; patient-centered influences; fear of liability; providers as members of healthcare team; and deflection of responsibility. All maternity care team members had knowledge of the evidence base supporting IA use for low-risk care. Nurses identified unique challenges in having agency over monitoring decision making and executing best practices. Improved communication among team members can facilitate evidence-based approaches to IA use, facilitating increased utilization for low-risk labor care.

It's About Time: The Temporal Burden of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Among Women.

This secondary analysis studied 50 transcripts of women who shared day-to-day experiences of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and characterized temporal (time-associated) features of living with LUTS. Findings revealed two overarching time-associated themes: The Complexity of LUTS and The Quest for Empowerment over LUTS. Findings suggest that the temporal burden of LUTS is the accumulated impact of symptoms and symptom management on women's daily lives within multiple contexts across the life course. Increasing nurses' knowledge of the temporal context of LUTS may heighten awareness and improve symptom detection and management.

Association of index finger palpatory assessment of pubovisceral muscle body integrity with MRI-documented tear.

AIMS: Pubovisceral (PV) muscle tears are associated with pelvic floor disorders. The goal of this study was to determine whether index finger palpatory assessment of PV muscle body integrity through the lateral vaginal wall is a reliable indicator of PV muscle tear severity diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: We studied 85 women, 7 weeks after vaginal birth. All had at least one risk factor for obstetric-related PV muscle tear. The ordinal outcome measure of MRI-documented PV muscle tear was defined as: none, less than 50% unilateral tear, 50% or greater unilateral tear or less than 50% bilateral tear, and 50% or greater bilateral tear. PV muscle body integrity by palpatory assessment was scored on a matrix, with each side scored independently and classified as PV muscle body "present" (assuredly felt), "equivocal" (not sure if felt), or "absent" (assuredly not felt). Proportional odds models were constructed to estimate the relationship between PV muscle body integrity palpatory assessment and MRI-documented PV muscle tears. RESULTS: Thirty-five percent of study participants exhibited varying degrees of MRI-documented PV muscle tears. Using palpatory assessment, we identified "PV muscle body present bilaterally" in 20%, "equivocal unilaterally or present contralaterally" in 8%, "equivocal or absent unilaterally" or "equivocal bilaterally" in 62%, and "absent bilaterally" in 9%. The odds ratio for estimating MRI results from palpatory assessment was 3.62 (95% confidence interval = 1.70-7.73, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A rapid and inexpensive palpatory assessment in the clinic was highly associated with the risk of MRI-documented PV muscle tear and is a useful component of a clinical assessment.

Virtual Reality Analgesia in Labor: The VRAIL Pilot Study-A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial Suggesting Benefit of Immersive Virtual Reality Analgesia in Unmedicated Laboring Women.

This pilot study investigated the use of virtual reality (VR) in laboring women. Twenty-seven women were observed for equivalent time during unmedicated contractions in the first stage of labor both with and without VR (order balanced and randomized). Numeric rating scale scores were collected after both study conditions. Significant decreases in sensory pain -1.5 (95% CI, -0.8 to -2.2), affective pain -2.5 (95% CI, -1.6 to -3.3), cognitive pain -3.1 (95% CI, -2.4 to -3.8), and anxiety -1.5 (95% CI, -0.8 to -2.3) were observed during VR. Results suggest that VR is a potentially effective technique for improving pain and anxiety during labor.

Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Consortium Focus Group Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities, and Experiences of Bladder Health.

AIM: The study purpose is to explore adolescent and adult women's experiences, perceptions, beliefs, knowledge and behaviors related to bladder health across the life course using a socioecological perspective. Lower urinary tract symptoms affect between 20-40% of young adult to middle-aged women, with symptoms increasing in incidence and severity with aging. There is limited evidence to address bladder health promotion and prevention of dysfunction. This first study of the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium is designed to address gaps in existing qualitative research in this area. DESIGN: This focus group study will be implemented across seven geographically diverse United States research centers using a semi-structured focus group guide informed by a conceptual framework based on the socioecological model. METHODS: The study was approved in July 2017. A total of 44 focus groups composed of 6-8 participants representing six different age categories (ranging from 11 to over 65 years) will be completed. We aim to recruit participants with diverse demographic and personal characteristics including race, ethnicity, education, socioeconomic status, urban/rural residence, physical/health conditions and urinary symptom experience. Up to 10 of these focus groups will be conducted in Spanish. Focus group transcripts will undergo content analysis and data interpretation to identify and classify themes and articulate emerging themes. DISCUSSION: This foundational qualitative study seeks to develop an evidence base to inform future research on bladder health promotion in adolescent and adult women. IMPACT: This study has the potential to provide new insights and understanding into adolescent and adult women's lived experience of bladder health, the experience of lower urinary symptoms and knowledge and beliefs across the life course. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Evaluating maternal recovery from labor and delivery: bone and levator ani injuries.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe occurrence, recovery, and consequences of musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries in women at risk for childbirth-related pelvic floor injury at first vaginal birth. STUDY DESIGN: Evaluating Maternal Recovery from Labor and Delivery is a longitudinal cohort design study of women recruited early postbirth and followed over time. We report here on 68 women who had birth-related risk factors for levator ani (LA) muscle injury, including long second stage, anal tears, and/or older maternal age, and who were evaluated by MSK magnetic resonance imaging at both 7 weeks and 8 months' postpartum. We categorized magnitude of injury by extent of bone marrow edema, pubic bone fracture, LA muscle edema, and LA muscle tear. We also measured the force of LA muscle contraction, urethral pressure, pelvic organ prolapse, and incontinence. RESULTS: In this higher-risk sample, 66% (39/59) had pubic bone marrow edema, 29% (17/59) had subcortical fracture, 90% (53/59) had LA muscle edema, and 41% (28/68) had low-grade or greater LA tear 7 weeks' postpartum. The magnitude of LA muscle tear did not substantially change by 8 months' postpartum (P = .86), but LA muscle edema and bone injuries showed total or near total resolution (P < .05). The magnitude of unresolved MSK injuries correlated with magnitude of reduced LA muscle force and posterior vaginal wall descent (P < .05) but not with urethral pressure, volume of demonstrable stress incontinence, or self-report of incontinence severity (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Pubic bone edema and subcortical fracture and LA muscle injury are common when studied in women with certain risk factors. The bony abnormalities resolve, but levator tear does not, and is associated with levator weakness and posterior-vaginal wall descent.