The objective was to study the incidence of urinary incontinence (UI), associated risk factors and quality of life (QOL) in postpartum women.

A prospective study was conducted with 406 postpartum women at Rajavithi Hospital and followed up over the phone between June 2020 and September 2021. Inclusion criteria were singleton pregnant women aged 18–45 years, and gestational age ≥ 37 weeks. Baseline characteristics (age, body mass index, birthweight, gestational age, parity, delivery type, smoking, and alcohol and caffeine intake) were recorded. UI was defined as a score ≥ 16.7% using the Urogenital Distress Inventory. Incontinence-related QOL was evaluated using the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire: a score of ≥ 70 indicated poor QOL. Outcomes were assessed during the postpartum period at 2 days, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for UI.

The incidence of self-reported UI at 2 days, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postpartum were 39%, 3%, 1%, and 0% respectively. Caffeine consumption during pregnancy was only a risk factor for UI (adjusted RR 1.61, 95%CI 1.27–2.05, p < 0.001) after adjusting for age, BMI, birthweight, parity, delivery type, alcohol, smoking, and pelvic floor exercise. Three women with UI had poor QOL, whereas all women without UI reported a good QOL.

In our study sample, urinary incontinence was found in one-third of women during the early postpartum period, but for most women symptoms improved with the first 6 weeks and all resolved at 6 months. In this study, caffeine consumption during pregnancy was the only risk factor for UI.