Question for those who are already moms

PsyDr04 · December 2011

I don't mean to be gross, but I really am curious - is it true that you always poop when you are in labor unless you've had an enema beforehand (or at the start of labor)? I was reading something online yesterday that said when the baby's head comes out, so does anything and everything in your bowel. Did anyone give birth and not have this happen? I know docs and nurses have seen everything, but I just feel like I would be so embarrassed if I pooped myself, even if I have no control over it. Of course, I know if you have an epi, you wouldn't feel it happening.

shortstuff15 · December 2011

I had an epi so I didn't feel anything, and I asked my husband a little while ago if he remembered and he couldn't have said whether I pooped or not, and he was right there looking at all the action. So even if I did poop, it wasn't enough for me or my husband to notice and the doctors and nurses obviously never said anything either. So honestly, don't worry about it! You aren't really thinking too much about the poop aspect of things once it gets down to that time anyway!

darters82 · December 2011

Yes, many women poop during delivery, but it honestly is not a big deal at all! It will be the least of your concerns in that moment, and you may never even know if you did or didn't. I still don't know if I did with DS (I suspect I did, but if so DH didn't see it). They clean it up super fast and don't mention it.

Indiechixor · December 2011

I wouldn't say it's a hard and fast rule that you "always" poop, but I guarentee your body will want to get everything out of your system- usually before you get to the pushing stage.

Even though I was induced 2 1/2 weeks early, once they had the pitocin going and broke my water my body "knew" it had to get rid of everything, and I had a nice potty trip while laboring and before I had the epidural.

NiniJ55 · December 2011

Even without the epi when pushing you won't realize that you are also pooping - your DH may tell you after the fact (in the days that follow). But during labor if you poop - you are likely to have no idea that it happened.

And no, not everyone poops.

mandarod · December 2011

No, I didn't. But it's really not a big deal if you do. The nurses and doctors have seen it plenty of times.

messfam07 · December 2011

I myself with DD did not poop. I had frequent bowl movements serveral days in advance. so i was empty by the time she popped out.

Laulie708 · December 2011

I asked DH about it within hours of giving birth and he said I did not poop, or that he didn't notice if I did. He did say "I'm surprised your still alive though - that was bloody" which was comforting.

PsyDr04 · December 2011

Laulie708:

He did say "I'm surprised your still alive though - that was bloody" which was comforting.

I'm not sure if I should laugh at that or not. Kind of funny.

kaay16 · December 2011

I had a water birth and was told to bring a fishnet (haha) incase to scoop out anything but I never did. I was terrified I was going to, I actually didn't push properly for the first couple pushes because I thought for sure I would. But you actually do have to push like you are trying to go and as soon as I did that the baby came. So to answer your question....so many of my friends have had that happen to them but I was lucky it didn't happen to me.

Angelrelic · December 2011

I did, but i only know cause DH told me, but he followed it up quickly with the fact that the nurses had it cleaned up so fast he wouldn't have known had he not been so fascinated with DS making his appearance. This was extra amusing cause the whole pregnancy he was adamant he wasn't gonna look.

AfterAll · December 2011

I had an epi and did not poop. I went prior to my induction, so maybe that was why. I absolutely felt like I was going to though.

DEBBIE33CASEY · December 2011

I pooped twice. Once when the epi kicked in and then with the first couple of pushes. The nurses and doctors didn't act like it was a big deal at all. They see it all the time. While it was embarassing for me, I knew they would have to be cool with it. More embarassing than them seeing it though, was the smell it left in my L&D room Bring a candle! lol

ETA: I tried going poop before going to the hospital but I was too concerned I'd push out the baby (boy was I naive). And I didn't actually feel it coming out either time. It just happened the first time and I only knew it had happened b/c of the smell. Then when we started pushing I told the nurse to let me know if I pooped myself, even though it didn't matter. I pushed, I pooped, she told me, we moved on

jason&robin · December 2011

I pooped both times. Stick out tongue

I knew it too because, even with an epi, I could tell and they cleaned it up right away. The 2nd time, I said to the nurse.... "I just pooped didn't I?" She told me it was a good thing because it told her I was pushing right. I'd rather poop a little and get the baby out faster than struggle for 2 hours. I pushed 45 min with #1 and 22 with #2. It just makes sense that, with your colon, and your vagina being right there next to each other, that a 7-8 baby is going to force out whatever is in the bowl. Try not too worry too much about it.

Jolaine83 · December 2011

I have no idea if I did and neither does DH. The birthing beds at our hospital open up at the bottom into a catch-all container, which catches fluids and everything else during delivery. I'm sure if i did, it got quickly brushed out of the way into that.

It's hard to believe at this point, but you really won't care if you do have a bm during delivery. It's such a beautiful moment (and physically relieving) that you won't be focused on anything else besides the rush of endorphins and your newly screaming, beautiful LO! Also, you'll likely be completely uncaring that you've been exposed from the waist down for how long and you're not in a hurry to cover up afterward. I was exposed for an extra 20 min as they finished my stitches.

eilatan&nhoj88 · December 2011

I did not have an epi. I had dirrhea three times during labor so I was empty for delivery. I did pee myself a few times once he was in position tho because there was no stopping it when he got to that point.

rachoochoo2 · December 2011

I had an epi and I pooped and I knew I had done it. To be honest I just didn't care. Yes, it was embarassing but you are pushing and grunting harder than you ever have in your life and it happens.

mrs.larry · December 2011

I pooped a few times *during* labor but always under my own control and in a toilet, thankyouverymuch.

during delivery, it was all baby (and, you know, blood and stuff). no poop.

it happens. I try not to think about it because of course I don't *want* it to happen this time either. but if it does it does. I probably won't care at the time. I didn't care about a whole lot besides getting that baby OUT.

revolution_breeze · December 2011

my guess is that i did. but no one said anything to me and honestly, as freaked out as i was going into labor at the thought of pooping, it was the last thing on my mind.

nothingbuthappy · December 2011

I wound up with a section, but I work in the medical field and can tell you that an old friend, who was an L&D nurse for years and years told me that 99% of women poop during labor. Even those who have had an enema "release some fecal matter". However, out of those who poop, hardly any even know, with or without an epidural. You're straining/pushing so hard to get the baby out, and along with the intensity of the contractions, you don't know. They're prepared for it and whisk it right out of there (they have chuks under you) and keep on going. Don't be embarrassed - they expect it!

A S-ski · December 2011

I was in active labor for about 2 hours before I got my epi and my body completely purged itself. I puked and pooped pretty much the whole time. By the time I was pushing, there was nothing left. Thing is though, I wouldn't have cared if I did.