poo during labor, inevitable?

[Mica]

Well, that's basically my question. Have been reading labor stories and it sounds like lots of ladies do inadvertently poo when they are in labor. I'm mortified by the idea!
For any of you who have already had kids, did this happen to you? Is it inevitable? I've been pretty regular during my pregnancy, so I don't think I have a lot of it, well... backed up, or anything. Will I be able to use the toilet during labor, to clear the pathway?
I guess whatever happens, happens, but not thrilled at the idea of pooing in front of other people!

 

[Eleanor ace]

I didn't poop last time. Apparently 1 in 4 ladies do so its not inevitable . I had a clear out at the start of my labour, there was nothing left to come out when I pushed :haha. For me sitting on the toilet was the worst pain during labour- worse than contractions at 10cm or pushing, but I'm sure its different for everyone. If you want to go to the toilet and don't have an epidural I bet they'd let you try.
Most of the times when ladies poo during labour its when they're pushing and you wouldn't be able to sit on the toilet then, but you honestly don't care what comes out at the point

 

[Mazzy17]

When you are in labour you really dont care

I was concious of pooing as my pregnancy came to the end of it and when it came down to labour i just wanted my baby out. I had a clear out 2 hours before i went to hospital and no one told me if i pooed or not anyway.

 

[Tiger22]

I've always been terrified of this too. But after having a lot of complications during my pregnancy, I honestly don't care anymore.. I just want my baby out safely! If it happens, it happens..oh well! Doctors/nurses see it ALL anyway.

 

[cupcakekate]

I sort of just accepted that I would but I didn't. I had a long labour and barely ate for 24hours so I doubt I had anything to come out! I wouldn't worry about it hun you really won't care it'll be the last thing you'll be thinking of x x

 

[LegoHouse]

Nope I've discreetly asked the midwife both times and I didn't either time!

 

[flashy09]

I didn't and I pushed for two hours!

 

[Noelle610]

I thought for sure I was going to... But nope!

 

[Tbell31]

I've had 3 children and its never happened to me my body cleared out beforehand but I must say I'm going in Wednesday to have baby and this time been very constipated the whole pregnancy so I'm a bit concerned myself but you will prob clear out naturally good luck x

 

[mrscitysmith]

I don't think I did lol! But it really is the last thing on your mind so please don't worry. Usually first labours start slowly and are long so you will have plenty of time for a clear out!

 

[Pixxie]

If you go into labour naturally you usually have a 'clearout', I had one and didn't poo but I only know because I was in the pool! Like the others said though you really will not care at the time!

 

[XJessicaX]

1st baby during the pushing stage I did indeed poo! 2nd baby I had a wonderful clear out during labour and then nothing after that.

 

[flubdub]

I never have and I've had three babies. With my third, I was scared when my labour first started, which gave me the shits and I spent a while on the toilet before going to hosp

 

[xx~Lor~xx]

I've had two children so far, I have pooed in labour both times. It's just something that happens, and while its all going on, you don't even care. I wasn't even aware I had when I was inlabour with my first, my partner told me afterwards. The midwives are very discreet with it, they've seen it so many times they don't care. So don't fret, if you do, you do. Labour and delivery isn't exactly dignified!! I'm expecting to poo when I deliver this child, it hardly bothers me now..

 

[MindUtopia]

I was a bit concerned about this as well, but I didn't poo. I did have a bit of a clear out in early labour, so that probably helped (though I also ate and drank all through labour). But trust me, you really don't care at the time. You're very focused on what you are doing and not on your bowels. But yes, you can use the toilet during labour (assuming you don't have an epidural). I walked up and down my hall between the bathroom and bedroom between pushes, though I didn't really get any urge to pee or poo at that point.

 

[smileyfaces]

I have had two babies and didnt poo with either.

But honestly, you will NOT care!

 

[Mica]

Have missed seeing your posts on here MindUtopia. How's your little girl? Are you all finding a rhythm?

 

[NaturalMomma]

If you're not medicated then yes you can use the toilet. If you have an epidural they normally do not let you get up to go to the bathroom (and you may not feel it anyways). Most women will poop in labor because of everything moving down. It's really no big deal, no one will care. I did with my first two and not my last.

 

[Guppy051708]

Some women do not poo during labor. Some do. You really can't predict which boat you'll be in. With that said, my experience is that i have pooed in both of my labors. (never had that clear out everyone talks about despite unmedicated births ) Plus they were both water births, so i actually KNEW there was poop floating around and had to watch them fish it out BUT they acted like everything was fine and dandy. Never made a fuss about it and if i wouldn't have seen it, i wouldn't have even known thats what they were doing . (as opposed to a "land birth" where you probably wouldn't see much). However, when it comes to pushing a watermellon out your foof, pooping will not be so much a concern you will just want that little one out as fast as possible. Most girls dont even know they pooped. The care provider will simply clean it up. They usually dont even mention it. They see it every day, probably multiple times per day. It is a normal, natural part of the process just like all of the other gross bodily fluids that come along with L&D. I know you may be embarrassed by this or worry about it, but try not to. Once you give birth i am positive you will look back on it and realize it wasn't a big deal

 

[amjon]

I didn't, but was pushing only briefly. I wasn't 100% sure if I did, so I asked DH and he said no. He would have told me if I did and asked.