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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Quantification System
Published on: September 20, 2018
Using the Brink score to predict postpartum anal incontinence
Virginia G King1, Sarah H Boyles, Teresa R Worstell
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Objective:
To evaluate whether antepartum pelvic floor muscle strength, as measured by the Brink scale, predicts postpartum anal incontinence.
Study Design:
This prospective cohort study of primigravid women used validated questionnaires and standardized pelvic examinations to evaluate subjects during the third trimester and at 2 postpartum time points.
Results:
Of the initial 129 subjects, 102 and 81 completed 2 week and 6 month postpartum visits. 35% had cesarean deliveries. The antepartum prevalence of fecal incontinence (14%) did not differ significantly from the postpartum (17% at 2 weeks, 11% at 6 months). However, the prevalence of flatal incontinence fell from antepartum (65%) to postpartum (47% at 2 weeks, P = .001; 49% at 6 months, P = .012). Mean Brink score decreased postpartum; no correlations were found between Brink score and questionnaire scores.
Conclusion:
Anal incontinence symptoms are common in the third trimester of a first pregnancy and may regress or resolve after delivery. Brink score did not predict postpartum anal incontinence.
