[Effect of pregnancy and delivery on the function of the cervico-urethral closure. I. Prospective study of 27 women].

Urinary incontinence is a complication of pregnancy. Having carried out urodynamic studies in pregnancy and immediately after delivery in 27 primigravid women, the authors have been able to clarify the alterations that take place in narrowing and closing the neck of the bladder and urethra, and especially in the tone of the urethra and of the functional character of the organ, in connection with hormonal changes that occur in pregnancy. They also demonstrate an increasing instability of the bladder which is due to compression by the pregnant uterus and which makes the function of bladder neck closure more difficult. On the other hand no significant short-term effect of obstetrical trauma could be found.