Table 3 Meta-analysis of factors influencing postpartum urinary incontinence

Cesarean delivery

23 [20,21,22,23,24, 26, 28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35, 39, 40, 42, 43, 45,46,47,48]

20.14

0.001

75.20%

0.416 (0.282–0.612)

 < 0.001

Vaginal delivery

23 [20,21,22,23,24, 26, 28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35, 39, 40, 42, 43, 45,46,47,48]

209.5

 < 0.001

92.40%

3.085 (2.163–4.398)

 < 0.001

Age (≥ 35 years old)

10 [8, 21, 27, 30, 37, 41, 45, 48,49,50]

104.56

 < 0.001

91.40%

1.493 (1.274–1.750)

 < 0.001

Multiparity (number of deliveries ≥ 2)

9 [8, 21, 36, 37, 40, 42, 46, 47, 49]

20.43

0.009

60.80%

1.736 (1.357–2.222)

 < 0.001

Neonatal weight > 4 kg

12 [20, 26, 27, 30, 31, 33, 36, 39, 43, 44, 47, 49]

27.81

0.003

60.50%

2.142 (1.688–2.717)

 < 0.001

Lateral episiotomy

3 [26, 45, 46]

1.95

0.377

0.00%

1.811 (1.359–2.413)

 < 0.001

Antecedent history of UI pathology

12 [22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 31, 32, 34, 38, 39, 49, 50]

102.58

 < 0.001

89.30%

3.651 (2.488–5.358)

 < 0.001

Augmented pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 24 kg/m²

8 [8, 23, 30, 35, 43, 46, 47, 49]

47.85

 < 0.001

85.40%

1.657 (1.294–2.123)

 < 0.001

Postpartum functional exercises for pelvic floor muscles

4 [24, 31, 46, 47]

11.92

0.008

74.80%

1.066 (0.519–2.187)

0.862

Perineal deviation

10 [21, 22, 32, 34, 38, 41, 44, 45, 47, 49]

63.91

 < 0.001

85.90%

1.664 (1.277–2.168)

 < 0.001

Instrumental parturition

3 [22, 32, 34]

5.07

0.079

60.50%

1.791 (1.133–2.833)

0.013

Pelvic surgical theater

3 [24, 27, 29]

5.1

0.078

60.80%

1.379 (1.003–1.897)

0.048

Prolonged second stage of labor

3 [30, 33, 45]

3.97

0.138

49.60%

2.413 (1.917–3.038)

 < 0.001