In plain words
Levator ani avulsion means part of a pelvic floor muscle has pulled away from its to the pelvic bone. The muscle that does this helps hold the bladder and rectum in place. It usually happens during a vaginal birth, when the baby's head stretches the pelvic floor. It is more common after births with forceps or a vacuum, when the head is delivered with less time for tissue to stretch. Most people do not know they have it unless a scan shows it. It can be linked to leaking urine, a feeling of heaviness, or changes in sensation during sex, but many people have no symptoms. can help some people. If symptoms appear, raise them with your provider.
The deeper version
Levator ani avulsion is detachment of the from the pubic ramus. It is visualized by transperineal or endovaginal ultrasound, and by MRI, as a gap between the muscle and its insertion. It is strongly associated with , especially forceps, and with . Forceps injury is mechanical: the blades occupy space, and the head is delivered with less time for tissue to stretch. Avulsion alters pelvic floor support and innervation. Reported associations include , anal incontinence, and , with considerable variation across cohorts. Dietz and Lanzarone (2005) described its frequency after vaginal birth. The controversy concerns whether routine imaging changes management, and whether avulsion predicts symptoms independent of other pelvic floor injury.
Where it comes up
- Vacuum and forceps birthsBirth and the First Days
- Peeing after birth and leakingPostpartum: Your Body
- Your pelvic floor after birthPostpartum: Your Body
- Prolapse: heaviness, bulging, and what helpsPostpartum: Your Body
What mothers here say about levator ani avulsion
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Sources
- Dietz HP, Lanzarone V — Levator trauma after vaginal delivery. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2005