Empty bowels before labor???

ladylisalt · July 2011

My friend who recently had a baby told me soon before she started to have contractions she remembers she had to empty her bowels a lot. Is this usually something that naturally happens before labor(Not to be confused with loose bowels while pushing during labor). or could it just be that was the case for her. I have never heard of this before and was wondering if anyone else has heard of this.

SarahPLiz · July 2011

This is an entirely normal part of labor, and loose bowels can be a sign of early labor. The body tries to clear everything out (urine, feces, and sometimes stomach contents) during labor. Per our Bradley instructor, one of the places you will labor the most in the early stages is in the restroom, both for elimination and comfort purposes, as sitting on the toilet, with the void in the middle, can help relieve some of that downward pressure you will be feeling.

Tigerlilym15 · July 2011

I have heard of this before. I read somewhere (can't remember where) that its part of how your body gets ready for labor.

bargar18 · July 2011

i've also heard this before. but i wouldn't always assume it's part of early labor. i've had loose bowels for the past 2 weeks (going on my 3rd week) and it's had nothing to do with labor for me. just something my body is doing right now for some reason.

MommaMcG · July 2011

When my water broke with DD, I had to poop and poop and poop. Smile

But that also meant I didn't do it on the delivery table. lol

gsd mommy · July 2011

I've kept empty bowels for the last week lol

Danac210 · July 2011

I'm planning a homebirth and my midwife told me to expect this. She said your body just wants to clear everything out of the way to make room to birth the baby.Makes sense since your intestines will be squashed during labor. Fine with me, better than in my birthpool or bed!

KendraJoette · July 2011

pretty normal, but it doesnt mean you are going into labor right away, and not everyone does this, but it can be a sign that labor is starting.

wolverine8 · July 2011

Very true. It's just one of the things that your body does to prepare for labor.

LadyBugLove7 · July 2011

SarahPLiz:
This is an entirely normal part of labor, and loose bowels can be a sign of early labor. The body tries to clear everything out (urine, feces, and sometimes stomach contents) during labor. Per our Bradley instructor, one of the places you will labor the most in the early stages is in the restroom, both for elimination and comfort purposes, as sitting on the toilet, with the void in the middle, can help relieve some of that downward pressure you will be feeling.

We were also told this.

thequeeenbee · July 2011

Yep, it can certainly be a sign of labor, though it doesn't always mean that labor is going to happen soon.

It's a little early for me, so I'm trying to not to think too far into it. But I lost my MP yesterday, and I have been in the bathroom every 30 minutes since. I'm kind of hoping she'll keep herself in at least another week though.