Ultrasound assessment of the effect of parity on postpartum uterine involution

Abstract

A longitudinal study of 300 women in the puerperium was undertaken in an African population. The aim was to determine the influence of parity on postpartum uterine diameters during involution. The patients were divided into two groups, nulliparous and multiparous based on parity. The uterine diameters were larger in the multiparous group when compared with the nulliparous group. Further analysis revealed positive (Pearson's) correlation between parity and uterine diameters and uterine volume. There was no significant correlation between parity and uterine volume on the 42nd puerperal day. In conclusion, Negroid patients have large uteri, which correlate in size positively with parity.