Bergen Birth

In Norway 20% of women will experience an assisted delivery with either forceps or vacuum. Forceps causes more maternal trauma, but is more likely to result in a successful delivery. However, delivery by vacuum is not so successful. It may be less traumatic for the mother but more so for the baby. The latest technology gives us the possibility to detect occult birth injuries to the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is a group of muscle and fibrous tissue responsible for supporting the bladder, rectum and vagina.

The Bergen Birth study aims to identify the incidence of pelvic floor injury by comparing operative and spontaneous vaginal deliveries. Maternal and neonatal risk factors will be investigated and women followed up 1 year post-partum.