Fecal incontinence in pregnancy and post partum.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of fecal incontinence (FI) during pregnancy and post partum, and to determine any associations with demographic and birth variables.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of 240 primiparous women conducted during pregnancy and post partum. Women were asked at various time points if they had lost control over their stool or bowel movements, and if they were practicing Kegel exercises. Associations of bowel symptoms with demographic and birth data were evaluated.


RESULTS
Most participants were white (87%), with a median age of 30 years (range, 18-42 years). Women who reported fecal incontinence at 1 year were more educated than those who did not report it. No other demographic or birth data were associated with fecal incontinence at 1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of FI during pregnancy and post partum is low and not linked to low-risk birth. Furthermore, when FI occurs it is often sporadic. This should be reassuring to patients and providers alike.
Brincat
Cynthia
C
Pelvic Floor Research Group, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. cbrincat@med.umich.edu
Lewicky-Gaupp
Christina
C
Patel
Divya
D
Sampselle
Carolyn
C
Miller
Janis
J
Delancey
John O L
JO
Fenner
Dee E
DE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult