Project
Vaginal birth injury to the pelvic floor: early diagnosis and treatment
The applicant will work on several subprojects around this matter: 1. A prospective study in nullipara will be done to determine the magnitude of pelvic floor disorders in our local population and what is it's natural history. 2. She will determine the place of vaginal and perineal ultrasound in the diagnosis of structural damage to the posterior compartment early after delivery. Together with another student with expertise in image analysis, automated diagnostic algorithms will be developed. 3. In a later interventional study in women at high risk of, or with posterior compartment problems, the effect of a targeted pelvic floor rehabilitation program will be evaluated. 4. In an experimental study the effects of simulated vaginal delivery on the posterior compartment will be determined, and the effect of systemically administered mesoangioblasts will be investigated.