Background It is assumed that pregnancy and childbirth increase the risk of developing fecal incontinence (FI). Objective We investigated the incidence of FI in groups of nulliparous and parous women. Methods Retrospectively, we studied a cross‐section of the Dutch female population ( N = 680) who completed the Groningen Defecation & Fecal Continence questionnaire. We also analyzed a subgroup of healthy women ( n = 572) and a subgroup of women with comorbidities ( n = 108). Results The prevalence of FI and the Vaizey and Wexner scores did not differ significantly between nulliparous and parous women. Parous women were 1.6 times more likely to experience fecal urgency than nulliparous women (95% CI, 1.0–2.6, p = 0.042). Regression analyses showed that parity, mode of delivery, duration of second stage of labor, obstetrical laceration or episiotomy, and birth weight seem not to be associated with the likelihood of FI. Conclusions Pregnancy and childbirth seem not to be associated with the prevalence and severity of FI in the Dutch population. Vacuum and forceps deliveries, however, might result in a higher prevalence of FI. Although the duration of being able to control bowels after urge sensation is comparable between nulliparous and parous women, parous women experience fecal urgency more often.