Muscle Thickness and Function in Postpartum Women: A Comparison of Parity Groups

This study investigated differences in abdominal and lumbar muscle thickness and contractile function among nulliparous, primiparous, and multiparous women at 6 months postpartum. Conducted with 80 participants (29 primiparous, 25 multiparous, and 26 nulliparous), the study utilized B-mode ultrasound to measure muscle thickness during resting and activation states. Significant differences were found in abdominal muscle thickness, with postpartum women exhibiting lower thickness in the obliques compared to nulliparous women. The thickness pattern remained consistent across groups, but no significant differences in contractile function were noted. Overall, while postpartum women showed differences in muscle thickness, their abdominal muscles maintained functional competency.