Objective:To investigate the impact of childbirth on pubococcygeal muscle of primiparous women in China

understand factors associated with pubococcygeal muscle

and investigate the muscular training in postpartum health care.Methods:We inquired 460 primiparous women delivering a live birth at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between November 1

2000 and July 31

2001.It was a cross-sectional study using obstetric records and postal questionnaire survey by outpatient consultation carried out six months after delivery.Results:At six months after delivery pubococcygeal muscle strength was significantly associated with vaginal loosening

length of perineum wound

stress incontinence( P <0.05).The association with types of delivery

stages of labor

perineum injury pattern

dyspareunia or sexual orgasm was not significant ( P >0.05).About 76.30% of women received information about the muscular training after delivery

and 8.57% of women were told that they should do Kegel exercise by health care personnel at 42 days after childbirth.Only 11.8% of postnatal women often did exercise.Conclusion:Health care personnel should protect pelvic floor muscle in labor

and focus on Kegel exercise after birth.