Table 1 Reported risks of maternal health outcomes after vaginal and cesarean delivery

Wound infection

4.9-6.3% [18]

2-16% [19]

Chronic abdominal pain

0.5-3.8% [20]

2.3-7.3% [20]

Long-term perineal pain

3-15% [21]

0.2-1% [21, 22]

Pelvic organ proplapse

1.1-1.2% [23]

0.19-0.25% [23]

Urinary incontinence

18-27% [24]

13-20% [24]

Fecal incontinence

3-13.9% [25, 26]

4-5.4% [25, 26]

Abdominal adhesions

12-60% [27, 28]^a

24-73% [28]

Dyspareunia

20-56% [26, 29, 30]

19-34% [26, 29]

Sexual dissatisfaction

40-65% [31, 32]

35-60% [31, 32]

Negative impact on the couple’s relationship

15.6-20.2% [22]

14.9-25.3% [22]

Limitations to daily life/work activities

11.3-19.3% [18]

18.6-32% [18]

Negative impact on mental health

7-30% [30]

7-30% [30]