Early diagnosis and treatment of genuine stress urinary incontinence in women after pregnancy: midwives as detectives.

Genuine stress incontinence is often a hidden problem in that many women suffering from genuine stress incontinence after delivery do not seek medical advice. This article reviews signs and symptoms of genuine stress incontinence that, when identified, may enable midwives to initiate or suggest treatment as needed. A comprehensive literature search was performed in relevant medical databases. The following adverse risk factors for the development of genuine stress incontinence are vaginal delivery, multiparity, and obesity, with an increased risk for women who did not actively exert pelvic floor training. Prolonged second stage of labor and heavier babies were two factors associated with an increase in the risk of damage to the pelvic floor innervation as well as genuine stress incontinence. Several conservative treatment options, such as special instructions for pelvic floor training, the use of weight cones, and electrical stimulation, are reported to alleviate genuine stress incontinence symptoms.