Differences in Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength Before and After Normal Delivery in Patients Who Give Birth in The Working Area of The Padang City Public Health Center

Muhammad Al Fath (Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University/Dr. M. Djamil Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia)
Yulia Margaretta Sari (Division of Urogynecology and Reconstruction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia)
Firdawati Firdawati (Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia)
Yusrawati Yusrawati (Fetomaternal Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia)
Bobby Indra Utama (Division of Urogynecology and Reconstruction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia)
Puja Agung Antonius (Division of Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia)

Andalas obstetrics and gynecology journal
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2026)

Background: Vaginal delivery can cause physiological changes in the pelvic floor muscles and increase the risk of dysfunction such as urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. However, the extent to which uncomplicated vaginal delivery affects pelvic floor muscle strength is unknown, especially in the Padang City Community Health Center (Puskesmas) area. Objective: To determine differences in pelvic floor muscle strength before and after vaginal delivery in patients who gave birth in the Padang City Community Health Center (Puskesmas) area. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study with 30 primigravida respondents who met the inclusion criteria. Muscle strength was measured using perineometry in the final trimester and 3 months postpartum. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test (α = 5%). Results: The average age of respondents was 28.27 years. Statistical tests showed no significant difference in pelvic floor muscle strength before and after delivery (p = 0.792), indicating that postpartum strength does not affect pre-delivery strength. Conclusion: Uncomplicated vaginal delivery does not significantly affect pelvic floor muscle strength. Decreased strength may be influenced by other factors such as obstetric trauma, birth weight, and exercise during pregnancy. Longer-term follow-up studies are needed for a more comprehensive understanding.