Kuo-Cheng Lien, MS, Brian Mooney, MS, John O. L. DeLancey, MD, and James A. Ashton-Miller, PhD

From the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Obstet Gynecol. 103(1): 31–40, January 2004.
Pubmed  – PDF (1.2MB)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To develop a three-dimensional computer model to predict levator ani muscle stretch during vaginal birth.

METHODS:

Serial magnetic resonance images from a healthy nulliparous 34-year-old woman, published anatomic data, and engineering graphics software were used to construct a structural model of the levator ani muscles along with related passive tissues. The model was used to quantify pelvic floor muscle stretch induced during the second stage of labor as a model fetal head progressively engaged and then stretched the iliococcygeus, pubococcygeus, and puborectalis muscles.

RESULTS:

The largest tissue strain reached a stretch ratio (tissue length under stretch/original tissue length) of 3.26 in medial pubococcygeus muscle, the shortest, most medial and ventral levator ani muscle. Regions of the ileococcygeus, pubococcygeus, and puborectalis muscles reached maximal stretch ratios of 2.73, 2.50, and 2.28, respectively. Tissue stretch ratios were proportional to fetal head size: For example, increasing fetal head diameter by 9% increased medial pubococcygeus stretch by the same amount.

CONCLUSION:

The medial pubococcygeus muscles undergo the largest stretch of any levator ani muscles during vaginal birth. They are therefore at the greatest risk for stretch-related injury.

Simulated effect of fetal head descent on the levator ani muscles in the second stage of labor. A front-left, three quarters view shows the fetal head (blue) located posteriorly and inferiorly to the pubic symphysis (PS) in front of the sacrum (S). The sequence of five images above show the fetal head as it descends 1.1, 2.9, 4.7, 7.9, and 9.9 cm below the ischial spines as the head passes along the curve of Carus.