Sonographic evaluation of uterus size in relation to maternal parity and caesarean section delivery

Objective: To assess the uterine size in relation to the parity and caesarean section delivery as revealed by transabdominal ultrasound. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 50 women with vaginal delivery and caesarean section deliveries were examined by transabdominal sonography. The uterus was assessed by measuring the length, anteroposterior and transverse diameter of the uterus. Morphologic findings were recorded. The effect of the parity, number of caesarean sections on the uterine size were evaluated. The gynaecological symptoms were also recorded. Results: The maximum dimensions of the uterus in length, anteroposterior and transverse diameter was 11.5cm, 5.6cm and 4.8cm respectively in a multiparous women (parity -3) who had undergone one vaginal and two caesarean section deliveries. The minimum dimensions of the uterus in length, anteroposterior and transverse diameter was 7.6cm, 3.5cm and 3.3cm respectively in a multiparous women (parity -2)who had who had undergone one vaginal and one caesarean section delivery. Most often uterus position was anteverted. Positive correlation was seen between the length of the uterus and the parity status. There is no significant correlation in between the length of the uterus and post caesarean. However the maximum size of the uterus obtained in this study was seen in case of multiparous (Parity 3) women with two caesarean deliveries who had no gynaecological symptoms. Conclusions: The size of the uterus in a multiparous woman as assessed by transabdominal sonography revealed significant increase in the size with increasing parity. The multiparous women with multiple caesarean section deliveries woman who had developed bulkiness of the uterus had no gynaecological symptoms. This bulkiness of the uterus in multiparous women who had undergone multiple caesarean deliveries with no gynaecological symptoms is to be considered normal and hysterectomy should be avoided in these cases.