A very large study compared women at three months after delivery and reviewed them again at twelve years after delivery. It was found that Caesarean section did protect against urinary incontinence, odds ratio .42, compared with women who had spontaneous vaginal deliveries. Other factors involving risks of incontinence included older age at first birth, having more children and being overweight. This highlights the importance of a healthy lifestyle and trying to maintain a normal body habitus. Pelvic floor exercises are encouraged.