[Postpartum urinary retention]

Abstract

Postpartum urinary retention is an uncommon event that occurs in 0.7 to 0.9% of vaginal deliveries. An ignorance of this situation can lead to delayed diagnosis worsening the prognosis and to inadequate treatments. This complication is defined as the absence of spontaneous micturition within 6hours of vaginal delivery with a bladder volume above 400mL. The etiology depends on multiple factors. Because of physiological changes during pregnancy, the bladder is hypotonic with an increased post-void residual volume. The occurrence of a perineal neuropathy during delivery may cause a urinary retention. Risk factors are primiparity, prolonged labour, instrumental delivery and perineal lacerations. Treatment consists on clean intermittent catheterization and recovery occurs generally in 72hours. Persistent urinary retention is the principal short-term complication and should be treated by clean intermittent self-catheterization. Long-term consequences are poorly reported in the literature.