Does symphysiolysis during pregnancy affect obstetric outcomes?

Objective: Symphysiolysis Is Often Experienced by Pregnant Women and Is Known to Cause Considerable Pain and Occasional Anxiety. However, Information on Obstetrical and Neonatal Outcomes Is Limited. Our Objective Was to Compare Obstetrical and Neonatal Outcomes, and Labor Characteristics, between Women with or without Symphysiolysis.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all women with singleton pregnancies without previous cesarean delivery who attempted vaginal delivery at ≥37 weeks in a tertiary hospital from 2013 to 2021. The cohort was divided into women diagnosed with symphysiolysis during pregnancy and a control group of women without the diagnosis. Maternal and delivery characteristics, as well as obstetric and neonatal adverse outcomes were compared between the groups. Nulliparous and multiparous women were analyzed separately. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, controlling for confounding variables.

Results: A total of 15 557 nulliparous and 27 477 multiparous women were included. Among them, 233 (1.5%) nulliparous and 515 (1.9%) multiparous women had a diagnosis of symphysiolysis. As compared with controls, women with symphysiolysis tended to be younger (27.5 ± 4.4 vs. 28.5 ± 5.0 years, P = 0.002 for nulliparous, 31.1 ± 4.9 vs. 32.2 ± 4.8 years, P < 0.001 for multiparous), have higher body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) prior to pregnancy (25.0 ± 5.2 vs. 23.5 ± 5.0, P < 0.001 and 25.3 ± 5.5 vs. 25.3 ± 5.5, P < 0.001, respectively), and a higher prevalence of smoking during pregnancy (7.3% vs. 4.4%, P = 0.036, and 9.3% vs. 4.7%, P < 0.001, respectively). There were no between-group differences in obstetric outcomes, including second stage of labor duration, rate of vacuum extraction, cesarean delivery, perineal laceration, or adverse neonatal outcome. Moreover, there were no significant differences observed between the groups in terms of rates of Apgar scores <7 at 5 min, arterial pH <7.1, or admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Conclusion: The risk of obstetrical or neonatal complications during labor for individuals with symphysiolysis are not increased.