Johannessen HH, Mørkved S, Stordahl A, et al. - Via performing a longitudinal cohort study of women with first deliveries between May 2009 and December 2010, researchers examined changes in prevalence of anal incontinence (AI) from late first pregnancy to 6 years postpartum, and determined the possible risk factors for changes in AI during the 6‐year period. Among 1,571 participants, normal vaginal first deliveries were reported in 65% and vaginal deliveries complicated by instrumental intervention and/or obstetric anal sphincter injury (IVD ± OASIS) were reported in 20%. Persistent incontinence was reported in nearly 1 in 10 women during the 6 years. At 6 years postpartum, a higher AI prevalence was reported among women with IVD ± OASIS vs women with caesarean section or normal vaginal delivery. In addition, higher AI prevalence was noted among women who were < 23 years, ≥ 34 years, unemployed during first pregnancy, who had active bowel disease, or bowel evacuation problems during the 6‐year period. Per these findings, the risk of long‐term anal incontinence increases in correlation with complicated vaginal delivery, age and bowel emptying problems.