despite expecting to, i didnt poo, throw up, or wee.

that may seem lucky, but on the other hand, i had a very long and difficult birth.
i think its because he basically didnt get to push on my against my bowel.

Also ds was overdue and because i knew his birth was imminent i made sure i went regularly.

i wouldnt have been bothered if i had, because i knew that it would be messy.(thanks to mnetters warnings!)

Pooed loads, poor midwives were constantly changing the mats underneath me. I didn't care a jot, as was too busy screaming "Get it out!" "It" is asleep upstairs, my rather gorgeous 4 month old ds.

Pooed both times.... didn't give a rat's arse at the time and still don't (and I can be quite prudish). DH said it was a very neat and tidy one...... Really you are so focused on getting the baby out, you don't care.

Funny story of my friend giving birth on all fours, did a HUGE poo as the head emerged! Her DH still cracks up about it, luckily she also thinks it's hilarious!

...and no-one out of the four people with me noticed ...until I hollered about it

Meeeeeeeeeeee!! I did, I did .

Only once during one of my four births which is a shame really because it turned out to be my most favourite comedy birthing moment and the only time I swore (copiously) throughout.

I think I probably did but I didn't notice.

I gave birth on the toilet which probably helped.

through up

Try threw up.....

I through up loads to, the first time was due to the fact i had a bad reaction to the G&A and had effectivley poisened myself.

The second time i was only sick a couple of times but was on strong antibiotics for Grop Strep B.

I did with both of mine, imagine that especially with MIL in the room for the fist one!

By that time i didn't give a monkeys tbh, i smelt it but DP has never mentioned it my mum and i had a little giggle but not in an unfriendly way, its natural, it shows your pushing effectivley.

The Midwife says 'Push as if your going for a Poo' so thats what you do and i there is anything there it will come out.

My sister gave birth suddenly at home and my mum delivered her baby with a big Poo laying next to her the whole time.

after my waters broke, i ate a huge bowl of soup as i thought it would sustain me for the labour. however as soon as labour started it was promptly vomited up into the sink and dh had to clean it up - ewww.

starshaker, i agree. one ting tho, why DO we throw up during labour? I vaguely remember doing this.

i have to say im really glad i started this thread. its helped me loads and im sure there are plenty other people out there who thought the same as i did. Hopefully other people will read this thread and think actually its not that big a deal and im not gonna let it spoil the best (and most painful) moment in my life

I pooed in the birthing pool when in labour with dd2

It was just fished out with a net and nothing more said.

I agree. In fact - I look on it as another good sign, more proof positive. it's all good!

You see I could not - no way - cut another persons finger or toe nails. Nope. Would vomit. But beauty therpists do it and they aren't making anything of it at the time. It is part and parcel of a manicure. I deal with poo at delivery. I don't think anything of it. Honest guv!

As a midwife, I can honestly say that I (and hopefully the vast majority of midwives) don't care a jot if you poo! Probably more than half of women either poo or throw up or both during labour, and sorting it all out is just part of the job. I truly barely notice, I just clear it up quickly without even wrinkling my nose. Afterall, it's not the woman's fault, it's just the pressure of the baby's head against the rectum.

However, I was aware of pooing whilst giving birth to my two children and I remember shouting 'I'm so so sorry!!!' over and over.....

haven't read whole thread...

however, can i just say,

i was so determined that i was not going to poo with my first that everytime i started to push , i stopped myself because it felt like i was going to the toilet. ds arrival was held up by at least an hour because of this and the mws were getting quite paniceed.

to compensate, with mt 2nd i pushed with all my might at the first available opp and gave myself the most horrendous piles which ruined my first week with her....

so there's no getting it right!!!!

but, good luck !!

I have had 3 and never pooed with any of them.

However with DC1 I was paranoid about not doing a poo and I ended up with stitches.

The very act of giving birth feels like having a poo ( a really big one ) and so you need to go through that feeling to deliver the baby, and hopefully if you do you'll avoid being stitched up like I was.

PS even if you do poo ... it doesnt matter

I'm pretty certain I did, although not 100% sure. Better out than in anyway!

DS2 was nearly born in the car on the way to hospital my waters broke all over the back seat and I pooed as well, nothing I could do about it! Dh had to clear it up too bless him. We had the car valeted aftewards but didn't tell the valet what had happened...

fecking doctors - I know there must be some good ones out there, but I really really hope I never have the need for one to come near me during labour (thankfully managed homebirth with dd1) Midwives rock!

Get it all out in labour - you won't dare do it for at least 3 days after giving birth!! Then it's with this face

Don't know if I did with DD1, but definitely did with DD2. Had spent most of the morning after the start of my induction trying to poo to no avail, but when I was pushing could feel myself doing it, and every time I did, my obstetrician said 'ooohhh, that's it, you're pushing REALLY well'... so guess it's a good sign. However, nothing was actually said about the poo, and it was all dealt with very discreetly. Do remember thinking that I wouldn't need to poo for the next week once the baby had arrived .

Can't believe that doctor . I had one who said to me 'you must find this really embarrassing' as he was doing the anal swab for my strep b test. WTF???

I didn't but boy did I suffer for it! I was so scared of doing one (ridiculous but there you go) that the midwife gave me two lots of suppositories and told me to sit on the toilet and push as it was time to get things going anyway - didn't happen. Gave birth, still nothing but next day sitting on the ward chatting to the lady next to me any omg did I poo! I was trying to get out of bed as I though the time had finally arrived but I did not have the chance! I shat the bed! I was mortified! Recovering from the shock after a shower with the kindest nurse (I was very wobbly with my colostomy bag)I got back into bed and did it again - no warning! So the moral is do it with pride in labour when it is expected- forget suppositories and save yourself the embarrassment! I find it quite funny now (that it was alomost 5 years ago and I have moved 200 miles away!) Good luck x

I had just been electricuted by my tens machine and ended up in a heap on the floor. This was where I pooed myself crouching on the floor whilst my hair was painfully tangled up in the metal railings of the hospital bed while I had a mega contraction. In amongst the pain from the ripped out hair and the contractions I was mortified and remember thinking this is really really degrading but now I think it is hillarious! I am due again in 5 weeks time and not bothered in the slightest, how bad could it be?

I did with my first but not with the second.

I did with ds1, and then with ds3 (who was born here in Austria) I was given an enema in the early stages of labour so that sorted that out - not nice though, I don't know what's worse really.

I also blame my mum lol and told her as much today.

i said btw remember how you told me not to be stupid about pooing while in labour. well i did with dd. and still being paranoid that i was weird i did a thead on mumsnet and you are very wrong. people do poo

she looked at me like i was mad

Starshaker I understand. I was also obsessed with this happening. I had 4 children and never did. Always got a day of constant toilet running the day before I went into labour and during early labour.

I really don't think anyone would bat an eyelid if you did poo

Yes I poohed all three times - just before baby was born all three times at least I knew it was a sign the agony was coming to an end....

mws never fussed about it so nor was I. Can't say I liked my dh seeing that though!

LOL@ MayorNaze! that's made me chuckle!

i def had a couple of poos, could feel and see them. i was also weeing like a hosepipe, it was a bit like a fountain every timei pushed.

did it bother me? not a jot.

HOWEVER, when i knew i was going to fart THAT made me clench a lot of things that didn't need to be clenched and try to distract everyones attention away from me while i let it squeak out...

i don't know what i was thinking...

i work in maternity and see a fair amount of poo during birth, i would say more than half of women do. However, that is not to say i wouldnt care if i did it! I would be mortified. It was my big fear with ds1, but i didnt. I quizzed dp and read maternity notes- no mention. No smell. . Did have enema though cos constipated just before. Same second time( no enema) and i think i escaped again. No sign of a poo, unless was a tiny, non smelly one. No mention in notes either.wHEN pushing though i didnt care, although occasionally i kept remembering and was conscious of it. I was probably less worried second time.

I wasnt worried what midwife would think, she wouldnt care, just my dp.Its just not something you normally do in front of anyone else is it?1

Im pregnant again and im sure i will have big fears again close to the day!

My poo was biblical. I could hear it hitting the bed. lordy.

I did. Not just once. After a few days of trying for a natural birth at home I transferred to hospital and had an epidural. The MW kept telling me to push as though I was having a poo and I couldn't feel much, but apparently I did exactly as I was told. Baby was way too high to have been pushing, it turns out, but at least I didn't have to poo for a few days after!

I don't know if I did or not TBH!! However with one labour shortly before delivery I went to the loo and had the most satisfying shit of my life. I couldn't understand why DH and the midwife didn't want to look at it

In another labour my bladder was full and was slowing things up but I couldn't wee, so a midwife popped a catheter in and sort of massaged this giant wee out. God it was blissful. The relief was fantastic.

I think I must be odd!!

I was really worried about the poo issue during birth.

My friend told me that she would have pooed on the the midwifes head if it would have made the baby come out quicker!!

Great advice - wish it worked....

IDidn'traise - she does sound like a bloody cow.

my midwife was a cow, she actually sighed, and looked well pissed off when I 'asked' if she could clean me up a bit.

but, she was a cow, for the whole thing.

I didn't poo, but was sick on DH's hand. He insisted on pointing this out to everyone in delivery room. MW pointed out bluntly that there was a sink, and that anything can happen during labour.

I wasn't sure what "anything" entailed.....

Not me, but I was sucking on the gas and air and the second MW told me 'you'll feel like you need a huge poo', which must've placed something in my brain because all I kept saying from then on was 'I need a poo!!!' was very embarrassing, but I couldn't stop!

Here's the MMH guaranteed way to avoid pooing in labour:

1) use a TENS machine
2) important: ensure you attach it to the nerves serving your gastric bits (v scientific here)
3) throw up throughout labour (preferably over a 30 hour period)
4) when mw informs you you've attached TENS incorrectly, rip it off and manage the rest of labour with natural endorphins and gas and air (throwing up will cease once TENS is removed)
5) your stomach and bowels will be emptied by all the vomiting, so there will be nothing left to poo.

Can't help wondering, like previous posters, were these people really doctors.....? Or passing by selling newspapers,toiletries,humbugs etc and wondered in by mistake?
I'm only a humble nurse meself gov'nor, but pooing during labour or for that matter at any other time is categorically an ok thing to do while you're living in a physical body.
(ps I found visualisation in the weeks leading up to birth helped me stay calmer and feeling in control esp with my 3rd - I used that book by someone who's name escapes me - Mowtha? Guthra Mowthra? it was trendy a couple of years ago. Good luck anyway, hope it goes swimmingly! )

My DD2 came out with my poo and her meconium all over her. And better yet we have photos to prove it !

I don't think I pooed, but then again I'm not sure I would have noticed if I did

I'm the kind of person who doesn't even like to poo while her huaband is on the same floor of the house so I was more worried about pooing in labour than anything else (well, that and throwing up in front of him, which I also like to do in private!) I threw up 3 times and then pooed more often than I had in my whole pregnancy!! I knew because of the smell. The mws were great, clearing up each time most discretely. The surgeon who came in to do the assisted delivery looked a little uneasy, was clearly about to ask a mw to deal with it, collected himself and got on with it!! Didn't bother me really as knew it was a good sign. Now I think it's funny!

I did (well I was eating cripsy duck in a Chinese restaurant when I went into labour and, like Starshaker's experience, the Doctor was visibly disgusted by me too. I had no idea that could happen and was really upset by that and even more so by her reaction: "oh for God's sake!" and backed away with a look of horror.

We were shown side on inside drawings of baby coming out at antenatal classes which really helped me. It was quite obvious that you weren't pooing as such, just that the head compressed the rectum so much on its way past that any contents would be pushed out. One I realised that it wasn't a lack of control it held no fear for me

With DD1 it was quickly wiped away, with DD2, the midwife used it as encouragement ... ie 'You're doing really well, loads of poo coming' which was a bit but fine.

What a horrible Dr for saying that. I was my sister's birth partner for her third child and have no idea whether she pooed or not. I was far too busy holding her hand and attempting to say the right thing whilst she tried not to push. I know I pooed like a good'un whilst in the birthing pool for my second dd. Midwife continually seemed to be swishing about with her little net, but by that point I really didn't care!

I was also weirdly hung up on this - and did repeatedly say to DP during the labour "Have I shit myself? I've shit myself, haven't I?" In fact I hadn't, although after the whole birth experience and the lengthy repair of my second degree tear spent talking to the MW about her experiences of leaving Somalia for the Europe, all the while with my own fanjo reflected back at me in her specs, I am astonished that I gave a shit about the possible shit.

I did find I was surprisingly unbothered at the time about the things I had been most worried about beforehand, so just try not to obsess about any of it and go with the flow!

Please don't worry about pooing to be honest with you - My husband thought it was hilarious that I pooed myself (I challenged him to try and push a 9lb 8oz ball out of his d**k and not s**t himself).

To be honest with you I was more mortified the second time when I had an elective c-section and the nurse who was inserting the catheter at the time recognised me and promptly asked me how my Mum's golf game was going. The next day my Mum visited and said.."so Cath (the nurse/golf mate) said you were looking well"! I did not ask which part she though looked well .

starshaker, good luck with your pregnancy and birth. PLEASE don't worry about pooing, your doctor last time sounds horrendous and should be reported. Bitch.

FWIW, I did. Can't remember first time round, but last time I was kneeling on the bed hanging on to the bedhead facing the wall, shouting at the top of my voice 'I need a poo! I need a poo!' It's making me laugh now Fortunately I was in a room on my own at this point, just poor DH and the midwives, and DH said one of the midwives just whisked it away and no more was said about it. As it should be!

With my first baby, I had no idea I had pooed, until I had my second baby and my hubby told me that "yes, you pooed last time too, lots!" He thought I had known, but I was mostly in a squat/leaning forward position over a bean bag and then used a birthing stool to squat, and turns out my lovely midwife was just wiping it all away and keeping me clean.
With my second, I was lying on my back and could really tell I was pooing and it did smell, but at the time you just don't care. I still don't care. It's all natural. Nothing to be concerned about and certainly no need to be embarrassed, all the medical staff have seen it before!

Everybody feels differently about the idea of pooing in front of their partner and I didn't like the thought either!
I told my obstrician that I was concerned the fear of pooing would put me off pushing properly and she advised to use some glycerine suppositories (you can buy them in any pharmacy) as I started labour.
They are totally harmless and I don't know if it was down to them or pure chance but i definitely didnt poo

dd - evacuated during the very long labour so nice clean birth

ds1 - same as dd, no poo

ds2 - quicker labour, pooed a bit during labour but bearing down to poo triggered mad contractions so i didn't get it all out and some came out during pushing... somehow some got on my elbow while i was waiting for the placenta i had to scrub myself down with damp tissue (bless dp and his utter unsquemishness fetching it for me and binning it when i handed it back to him)

odd how little i care now though, not really important in the grand scheme of things

I think it part of birth and you can not avoid it, so just relax

just to chime in - am a first timer with a lovely 3 week old. Like you I was worried about it. I did poo, didn't care. When I read the notes the "anal movement" was noted as a sign of effective pushing. So as others have said they not only expect it but like to see it as an indicator. I promise you won't care. Your mate won't either - you will both have other things to think about.
Am appalled by that Dr - could not have ben saying "you're dilating"?! What a charmer!
good luck and really, don't worry about this

I didn't on my first - had assisted delivery, but did on my second. I wouldn't have known except for the fact I could smell it! The midwife never said a word and just discreetly cleared it away.

Try not to stress over it, as others have said it is completely normal and happens a lot. Good luck with your new baby

I pooed in the birth pool. Dh fished them out. No big deal. Please don't worry about it.

I pooed, it was fine, so many other things to think about at the time.

I was more embarrassed at the huge fart I did when the anaesthatist walked in (he was very, very fit, like a doctor off e.r. or something )

I did a poo with dd2 (wasn't aware, I could just tell from dp's reaction) and I even remember taking time out from pushing the head out to say: "Ooh sorry!"

I'm the sort of person who will say "sorry" when someone bumps into me or treads on my toe. Even in the middle of labour I'm needlessly apologising for stuff.

Yes, I did too with DS. I was induced and hadn't been to the loo for a while so I was kind of paranoid. DS was 9lb 1oz and when you are pushing with all your might anything else in the vicinity is bound to come out too. I remember going 'I'm pooing!' and the mw said 'no you're not' which unnerved me a little cos I knew damn well that I was! But like the others have said, they whip the disposable mat from under you and it's as quick as that. So please please don't worry, it's entirely normal and nothing at all to be worried about.

Your doctor sounds a complete cretin.

I'm pretty sure I did with both babies but can't really remember and while the thought of it would have mortified me before I had kids, at the time I couldn't have cared less! I think (like the pain) it is just one of those things that you have to put out of your head completely and just focus on the end result - a gorgeous little baby!

I pooed with DS1, only a little nugget. I noticed the smell and the MW discreetly replacing the inco pad. I did NCT classes and they had said a bit would be pushed out by the baby's head, so I remember thinking, oh there's the poo.

With DS2 I was at home and had just shouted for DH to come and help (very unplanned home birth ). He pulled down my pants for me since I hadn't get round to that and few mins later discreetly wiped my bum. Again thought, oh there's the poo. Thankfully it was only tiny bit cos it would've gone on the carpet otherwise. He did spend the next 3 days clearing up the stain from the rest of the mess as DS2 arrived 15 mins later though.

I agree Dr who you had last time is in the wrong job, awful thing to say to anyone. Good luck, you'll be fine

I did - first really big push and I pood and thought I'd had him! Then got really upset as thought everytime I pushed all I did was poo and lovely midwife kept saying no no you didn't that time. I loved my midwife. Your doctor was a complete twunt.

yes! it was a very small footnote in a really wonderful experience. it was a waterbirth too... but looked like there had been a shark attack by the end, so who knows what all was in the water?!

I pooed! My DS2 was a water birth and I remember telling the MW that I was getting distracted by a floater! She hadn't mentioned it and nor had DH. I think she might have sieved the one I could see but I remember once he was born getting out of the water and seeing plenty more! And blood and all sorts. I was just so proud of my achievement (DS2 not the poo!) that I didn't care!

did with both DD & DS2, which I really couldn't have cared less about - seriously they could have brought the Salvation Army marching band through and I really wouldn't have bothered by that stage.

And with both DS1 & DS2 I threw up within 15 minutes of giving birth, which only added to the attractiveness.

But seriously, for the benefit of those of you who are expecting no.1 now... you won't care

I poo'ed with both of them in the pool and DH caught them with a seive and put them in the loo

I didn't with DD (baby no.1) as I went just before I began labour (lucky really).

But I did with DS whilst pushing - I wasn't aware until the next day and DH told me - midwife had discreetly cleared it away without me noticing. I was a bit but hey, they've all seen it before and it's not exactly unnnatural is it?

OMG due with my first on Dec 23rd so ages away but now thinking I should probably forgo eating for the week before just to ensure I'm empty!!
thought pooing in labour was an urban myth which happened very rarely, surprised its so common!

i did and was unreasonably distraught about it - really didn't like everyone seeing - seems ridiculous when you consider everyone had seen every other part of my anatomy.

I did. I noticed (vaguely), midwife noticed (and discretely removed it). Neither DH or my Mum noticed.

Yes, the midwife who did my antenatal classes even told us which brand of suppositories to take (France again!)
But, of course, I was in labour denial so I didn't think to do it...

I cleaned myself out before going to the hospital.

i did with dd2 and thought wtf is that so put hand there and yes you guessed it hand was covered.... then proceeded too grab dh who totally freaked out

embarrassing but hey ho lol

I didn't poo with no.1 but did with no.2 when I was pushing. However, I was in the pool and, as others have said, MW just got the sieve, lifted it out and flushed it down the loo without turning a hair. DH was also remarkably matter of fact!

Starshaker you obviously got a real cow of a consultant - please don't worry about it this time.

While I was in labour, I kept having to go to the loo and do soft smelly poos, so was fairly sure everything was out. However, when I really started pushing the baby out, I suddenly felt a small pebble SHOOT out (I was on my knees, leaning forward onto the end of the bed) and saw the midwife sort of leap through the air like a goalie to catch it. I didn't really care and was just quite pleased with myself for not having let out a great stonking fart.

When I was in labour both times I was back and forth to the loo in the early stages and must have done about five wobbly poos over the space of two hours.

This is quite common and is nature's way of 'clearing things out' and helping the baby come down.

So I know I didn't poo in the pushing stages at all, DH confirmed this.

So you might be like me and empty out before it becomes an issue.

But if you do, it's nothing to worry about at all. DOn't you think the midwives have seen it all before? They don't care and neither should you.

Good luck for your delivery and think positive thoughts!

Didn't with DD (horrendous diarrhoea with onset of labour).
Did with DS - and had to get DH to call midwife as I was all hooked up and monitored (VBAC, large baby, in France so they wouldn't let me walk around!) and sent DH out of the room. Didn't mind him watch me give birth, DID mind him watching me pooing
However, wasn't really "prepared" for labour with DS. He was a week early and I was in complete denial. Went back to bed well into established labour telling myself that he couldn't be arriving then because MIL wasn't coming to look after DD until the next day...
(Cue middle of the night ambulance to hosp. as DH had to care for DD and DS arriving one bloody hour before MIL arrives in the country). Pooing was the least of my concerns at this point

Catriona99, may be a joke but my mw told me if I wanted a water birth and was worried about poo there was no need, she had a big sieve!
I didn't with either, but only as had the runs before hand. Lovely!

starshaker i accused dh of watching hollyoaks whilst i gave birth, it was the gas and air, i also thought people were talking about me, so perhaps what you thought you'd heard was just your gas and air paranoia have you asked the person who was with you. Dh was able to tell me a completely different story.

I was freaked out about pooing with ds, i hadn't done it with dd but had been induced.

With ds i was on all fours and kept smelling the most horrendous smell i was in tears and kept asking for her to send my dh out and she kept laughing at me telling me i hadn't pooed, again i think it was mostly paranoia, that and my bottom turning inside out . I wish i hadn't been so stressed about the whole thing now because its not like anybody remembers and i can laugh about it now.

My friend is a midwife and she swears its very discreet.

OP The consultant from your last birth is definitely in the wrong job.

I had the clear out before 2nd stage, but still managed to squeeze out tiny mini poos that the MW (and my mum!) discreetly wiped away, all the while encouraging me that I was now pushing the CORRECT way, ata girl!

I wouldn't worry about it, you need to focus on something else to get you through the labour so that this issue doesn't become the one thing you keep thinking about. For me it was staying upright, I didn't want to lie on my back and 'slow the labour down'.

I did..but was given the impression I didn't ..my husband told me a year after the birth as he saw it ...the bastard told me because I was taking the piss out of friend who did (well before dh told me I didn't know I did)..second time it was a homebirth and I made sure that I was ermmm empty !!! But please don't worry about it, it's all part of the process of giving birth !!!

DH swears I pooed not, but I did see the midwife scooping stuff out of the water and remain suspicious to this day (he says it was blood clots she was retrieving).

Please don't worry about it starshaker - and that doctor was a disgrace.

I was one of the Exorcist-style pukers from early on. I didn't poo during the pushing phase because there was absolutely nothing left in my system (and my DH is absolutely the sort who'd let me know if I had!)

1st time i pooed and midwife whizzed it away before my exhusband saw it!

2nd time i had a water birth and my poo floated to the top whereupon my partner (new one) fished it oput with his hand (ahh,thats love) and ran to the loo with it. He never told me till the baby was 6 months old!

Don't worry, everyone does it. Absolutely everyone. (nearly.)

it really doesn't matter if you poo during labour, the midwife will just clean it away without mentioning it, we see it all the time, you wont be the first or last we see. If you do not push coz you think you will poo you will be increasing the time of 2nd stage and may lead to baby getting distressed or even having a forceps or ventouse delivery.

Hiya,

I defintely pooed during labour - I just remember how nice and cold the wetwipe felt when then midwife wiped my bum - I think I was embarrassed for about 3 secs and then remembered how much pain I was in and forgot about it! My husband swears blind that I didn't poo so he didn't even notice it was so quick!!

I have been in on two other births and both times the lady pooed - each time the midwife just cleared it up in a couple of seconds, the birth partner didn't notice and I didn't bat an eyelid - there are far more exciting things going on!!

I was hugely paranoid about the same thing but as the others have said - when the time comes, no-one will care!

Helen

I pood both times. First time it actually saved the day - they didn't believe I needed to push but when I screamed "I need to poo" they checked and saw dd's head. I felt the midwife wipe it away (sorry tmi).
Second time I was in the pool and said "I don't want to poo again" and the midwife said if I did she'd fish it out so she'd send me to make the tea and toast. One of the first things she said after I'd delivered was 'tea and toast is on you then' which was a tad unnecessary as I had had no idea I'd done it and it was all cleared away very discretely.
I've been a friend's birth partner and can vouch for the fact that she did not poo.

I'm sorry but some of you who said you didn't poo, how do you know?
I pooed with 2 of mine not sure about ds, but with number 1 I didn't realise the midwives are so discreet she just gathered it up in the mat you sit on and disposed of it and changed the mat,
she changed the mat all the time because of my waters leaking so I didn't know!
With no3 my dh actually gathered the mat up and the mw praised him for being so good, that was the only way I realised I had pooed, wasn't embarassed because as soon as dd2 was out she pooed over everyone and everything!

Starshaker ,please ,please dont worry about this ,if your friend is a nurse ,she will have seen enough poo to sink a battleship and have developed a nasal immunity to the smell. If she has never been to a birth before ,it might be worth mentioning the possibility to her beforehand .I know i did a little one at the pushing stage ,but the midwife simply folded the blue square under me over it ,nothing said at all. The doctor who said you were disgusting is clearly unfit to work with any living being and should perhaps think of moving on to forensic science instead ,where she can comment all day long without fear of offending anyone other than her colleagues. good luck by the way . if the idea really freaks you out ,you could always ask for a little enema in the early stages of labour ,although this still wouldnt gaurentee you wont do a little poo!

DS pooed on the way out, which caused more problems than if I had!

i'm due my 4th dd in october and last time had really bad afterpains - do they get worse with each one and what treatment do they give if any?

I didn't, my body had the classi clear out before i left the house for hospital. My friend was very scared of this and DID poo but she agrees now she wasn't even aware she'd done it!

ds1- no poo
ds2- poo
ds3- no poo

I pooed with DD. It was a water birth and I just did a bit of a nobble (as they say). The midwife just calmly scooped it out with a seive she clearly had ready for the job. Nothing said and no embarrasment.

Don't know if I did with DS, just asked DH and he didn't think so, but he wasn't at the business end.

You've got no choice in the matter and tbh, it's the last thing on your mind when your in full labour.

There is nothing disgusting about giving birth & for a medical 'professional' to say this is unforgivable & ridiculous.

I was given an enema before all 3 births & I thought it was great as I was so constipated, not unpleasant at all - if you're concerned, I'm sure you could have one. I don't know if I pooed when pushing, but I couldn't have cared less tbh. You won't either.

PS - am utterly shocked at the dr and wonder what psychological damage she goes about inflicting on an average day. What a truly horrible and ill informed person. The problem, as is so often the case, is with her x

Speaking as the birth partner/friend of a very private, shy person who pooed in labour, I really think she didn't know she had done it, the midwife whisked it away, she's never asked and I've never said! Really wouldn't spend from now until January stressing about it

I clearly remember my aussie midwife shouting "Come on darling...PUSH, show me that brown star!!!!!" - she was fantastic. Yes, I did poo but she wiped it away discreetly.
xx

With ds labour started spontaneously and I had a good clear out just before leaving for the hospital. I can only describe it as a bit like the loose stools I used to get with very bad periods. I read somewhere that the hormones which make the uterus contract have the same effect on the bowel.
DD was induced and I felt like I had been constipated for months. I expected the same clearout to happen in early labour as with ds, but it didn't, so I definatly pooed during labour and remember the midwife whipping it away discretly. Sorry if TMI

I had 3.
I didn't with any of them. Though the farts I was doing could've melted ya face right off!!

Starshaker, I hope that you get a more sympathetic doctor this time.
I have to say both times all the medical staff were wonderful with me, even with DS2 when I lost control of all bodily functions and gained a potty mouth.
There is nothing to be ashamed about, and it's totally natural.
With DS1 I was paranoid about being catherised, really scared I would have to be. I ended up having it done 4 times and wasn't bothered at all.
Once you're in the delvery suite you'll be fine.

By the way, I also object to the "leave your dignity at the door" ethos. As far as I'm concerned you should be treated with the utmost dignity even if, nay, especially when shitting yourself. Just because you're giving birth doesn't mean you are no longer a person with normal feelings. I think some midwives and doctors lose sight of that.

i was worried about this too but when your in the middle of it all you really dont care. i did with ds1 but not with ds2.

Pretty sure I didn't with DD, and pretty sure I did with DS...although it might have just been a fart.

Christiana - LOL

There's a certain sort of karmic justice regarding that squeamish doctor, isn't there? Obviously she's a twat for thinking a labouring woman's poo is disgusting, and even more of a fuckwit for expressing her disgust, BUT it stands to reason that she must be disgusted on a daily basis. Haahaha! She must find her job unbrearable.

it was the thing i was dreading the most- pooing during labour. and yes i did!! but didn't know at the time

Not with DS1, with DS2 I vomited, pooed and sweared like a trooper.
I didn't care at the time, DS2 was 10lb 11oz and a ventouse delivery.
I also had a room full of students come in to watch the ventouse delivery,they asked me if it was OK, I said yes.
I couldn't care less that there were all these people at the end of the bed looking up my fanjo.
All bets are off during labour and the lack of dignity was bottom of the pile of my worries tbh!
You'll be fine and won't care a jot if you do poo.

I did

Absolutely no idea if I did with any of my 4, wasn't really in the place to care if I had as they were all rather intense experiences.

No.

ROFL christiana! It's those moments that a marriage is built on.

I pooed a bit, but the MW swiftly wrapped it up in a paper towel and got rid of it. All in a day's work for her .

Doing the poo helped me get the hang of pushing the most effective way and was very useful for that reason!

You probably won't even notice. But it sounds like your doctor last time has his/her own issues. Being told you are 'disgusting' during birth is wrong. Let that go. It was her issue. When you give birth, if anything, you are at your most wonderful .

I pood despite having diarhoea early in labour

Also I puked with every single contraction cariboo. DH said that I just had bits of black bile running out of my mouth. But when he tried to wipe it away I whispered 'fuck off'

tis true - once you get on that labour ward - all inhibitions disappear. I stripped off for DD2 ... born during midsummer heatwave in baking hospital - and walked around in the nuddie. Now I'm on iron (TMI ALERT!!) am fully expecting to produce a massive black poo as DC3's head crowns in 3 weeks' time...

But I puked. And puked. And puked again but nothing came up but bile since I'd been starved for the previous 24hrs. They don't go much for messy births in Switzerland so enemas are "de rigeur" but had I pooed, I wouldn't have noticed. Seriously, you have so much else to fill your mind that sh*tting yourself is not a thought. It's more like "get this baby OUT - NOW!"

No pooing for me. Given an enema first, thank goodness.

no poo with first and pooed all over the joint with second.

they're good at cleaning you up without you noticing. tis whipped away lickitysplit.

I did with DD1 and 2 but not with DD3

DH said the MWs just dealt with it and I think he did with DD2, as he said "there was a baby coming out you, do you think I was bothered about a bit of poo" there is nothing you can do about it as birth is so anal anyway, the baby's head feels like a giant poo

Sorry, but there's nothing you can do about it. You'll probably do a poo during labour on the loo anyway, or just before you go into labour. But while you're pushing, there is pretty much nothing you can do to avoid the pressure of your baby's head, and all the pushing you're doing, from pushing out a bit of poo too.

Best to just not think about it - you won't know anything about it, and the midwives won't mind, will have seen it all before, and will just clear it up without saying a thing.

I saw a video of a water birth - as I am currantly preg with DD1 and they have a sieve and just sieve it away. It was a question that someone asked at our water birth class and the mw said that they have a sieve and you wont notice- then we saw a water birth video and she pooed and you would not have noticed if our mw would not have pointed it out

v dignified

Not with ds1. Yes with ds2 , just before he popped out. There was nothing at all I could do to stop it (and oh how I tried).

Dh will not let me forget it either.

If it's really worrying you - don't have a waterbirth. The last thing you need is seeing poo swim past you

Just realised I wrote cue in my last post (about 6 hours ago!). I meant queue

Poo during labour?
Who me

I am sure I did, I was lying on my side all monitored up with a midwife holding my upper leg up, felt a big contraction, inhaled the gas and air thing nearly off the wall, thought I did a poo.

I heard the midwife say 'oops we'll just clean that up' and she def wiped my bum

I asked dp a few months later and he said no.

So all I can say is that poos during labour musn't pong like the ones he complains about if he walks into the bathroom after me at home (thats how I know he is lying to save my blushes )

ds2 no def no poos as he was elective c section, that would have been a surprise in the operating theatre if I had !

I have absolutely no idea & certainly wasn't going to ask & just assumed they cleared it all up as they went along - hoping for a waterbirth this time so I'm more likely to notice .
I do remember puking all over DH and the MW

Oh, during labour with DS I had some drug for high blood pressure (after the epidural failed to bring it down), I'd had morphine before that, and then I had to have two lots of that placenta-expelling drug.

DS had to be assessed by the paeds because he was a ventouse delivery with cord wrapped round his neck a couple of times, so I didn't get to hold him right away.

Just as well, because the second I tried to move I projective vomitted.

And not just once, but three times.

I tried desperately to keep it in that little bowl they give you.

No way. It was like The Exorcist.

And I couldn't feel my legs so I just asked the midwife to leave some bowls next to me as I wasn't going to be able to get to a bucket or that.

I didn't poo during labour, but I did poo constantly in the days running up to going into labour, and I lost my appetite all together in the day leading up to it.

I did wee like it was never going to stop though, I had a catheter put in and the midwife even commented on how much I needed to go, whilst swapping buckets to catch the continued stream

I also threw up green puke everywhere...yummy!

Oh and I didn't poo for nearly a week after giving birth, I ate 3 full meals a day and was given several laxitives but nothing happened. I think it was to do with my fear of pooing and ripping open what was healing

oh, and no I didn't care at all!

I was given an enema as they thought being a bit constipated was holding baby back (ha bloody ha I just wasn't ready physically for an induction!) and it was revolving - however I simply blamed the small on DH who to this day still takes the blame! Then yes, a little more on pushing!

Not only did I poo with my second but i had an epidural and the midwife thought it might help me so evacuated me.

She didn't care, happy that i got much wanted VBAC

My waters broke all over the bed as the anaesthetist was putting in my epi.

But I didn't pee as they cathed me both times I had an instrumental delivery.

Didn't poo, though. I saw myself giving birth each time and no, no poo.

Of coure, I was AGES in labour with two of them with no food or drink so nothing to really poo out.

I did.
You cannot srevent it - if it is in the way, it will be pushed out!
I have no recollection as the mw was so [rofessional and removed the offending item very swiftly. DH told me though...

I am utterly astonished that a doctor on a labour ward said you were disgusting for doing a poo.

It is a completely normal thing to happen during birth. Not disgusting - NORMAL.

Was a midwife in the room when this was said?

I would rather not know if I did. I've told dh he is not to tell me if I do and dont notice.

I don't know if I did or not but I suspect that if I did then DH would have told me and taken the piss out of me quite a lot [hmmm] I had the trots big time right before I went to the hospital so I don't think there was anything left to come out.

God I pooed massively. The mw wasn't in the room so DH bless his heart wiped my bottom for me cos I think it wasn't the neatest of poos. Then I pooed again near the end but would never have known if I hadn't smelled it. MW just folded up the little change mat thing and got another one.

I was mortified at the idea beforehand but now I couldn't care less. If ever you're entitled to poo it's then!

I did, and I remember at the time feeling that the poo was the most important thing.

I HAD to get the poo out, because clearly it was the need to poo that was making me so uncomfortable. Was so relieved when it finally happened that the baby that popped out five minutes later was just an added bonus.

I did! But I had had diareahoa for weeks before. Dp kept telling me about it for a few weeks afterwards!

I am due in January with my 2nd aswell and am considering having dp and dd in the waiting until dc2 is born.

i didn't with my 3 labours and births(or so i was told!) but, i did spend AGES on the loo during labour...couldn't get off it in fact! there was nothing left by the time the babies were being pushed out...

try not to worry...get the baby out nice and quickly and safely, and don't think about the untidy bits! good luck when the time comes.

i am due very soon almost 2 weeks and i am unable to poo...will thats change as i get closer to my due date?

I presume those that don't have cleared out their bowels before - I certainly poo'd alot in the few days BEFORE I gave birth.

I think I did a tiny bit with my 3. I didn't ask and no one said anything. Think it is pretty normal and they just whip it away quickly. If your doctor said that to you then that is terible and I am not surprised you are paranoid about it happening. Don't be though - it is a really common thing.

Most people do tend to have a big poo at the start of labour don't they!? Thought is was often one of the signs. What comes out during labour is then usually the left over bits!

I was in the supermarket when slightly overdue with DC1 and the checkout lady was asking me when I was due. In front of a long cue of people she asked 'have you had your big poo yet?'.

I don't know if I pooed or not, but I did wee, and a lot! The mw said it's a good thing as they know exactly where the baby is then.

If I poo, I quite like the idea of no one telling me though..

i can imagine the MW would be very discreet bout it...what about water births? cos thats what im wanting and if i poo everyone will know about it...not discreet on the other hand

Your baby's head descending down your vagina, acts kind of like a thumb squeezing a tube of toothpaste and squeezes out anything in your rectum. There's no room for poo and baby, so the poo has to come out first. I suspect I poo'd during at least one of my labours - but the MW didn't comment and just cleared it away. Don't worry about this - it really isn't a problem. I'm off to have my lunch now - yum...

does everyone poo then cos im due in 16 days and im gettin told everyone does...but then at that point will you reali be carin?

yep. here as well. only... i thought its was my dd. imagine my annoyance when i found out there was still a baby to deliver!

Wow, your obstetrician is in the WRONG business if she's that squeamish. She should have been oooh, I don't know, a call-centre worker? a software programmer?

I thought I did a poo while pushing out DS2. That's what it felt like anyway.

DH later informed me that I prolapsed -- luckily it all went back in again!

I also did a wee on the floor. Just keep sucking the G&A, I was so off my tits I really didn't care

your you're

I did, both times when pushing. The midwives expect it! 'tis normal, natural and logical that you would - I mean your pushing a baby out...

I worried about it before my first labour but when the time came I really couldn't have cared less

dc1 - no idea, although I don't think so - ex said not, but he may have been trying to save my feelings.
dc2 - definately not (had him at home and I cleared up afterwards, I would have known).

I have no idea if I pooed with either of mine, but I do know that when the MW broke my waters with DD, she had to go and change her top, trousers and socks as she was totally drenched. Don't worry, the doc at your first birth sounds like a prick. Most of the staff are not like that.

I did. I peed all over midwife too. I knew I had pooed but when I asked, the mw said no. They are very discreet and have seen it all a million times.
This was my second which I was induced with, but with my first it was spontaneous labour so my body cleared all waste products.
Please don't worry about it. Some do, some don't, nothing at all to be embarassed about

I think almost everyone does as the baby has to push past the rectum with a fairly small amount of skin between the rectum and birth canal.
There's no physical way for the poo to stay in there if you are actually pushing. Those who don't may have recently emptied bowels. TBH I expect most people do it without realizing and many women won't be able to tell you if they do or not. I expect quite a few who think they didn't actually did.
I know it sounds crazy to think you won't care but honestly you will have other things on your mind.
You will be moments away from meeting your baby. Who cares about a bit of poo. Goodness knows you'll see your fair share of poo in the following months.

i want to feel more in control this time and try and enjoy it (is that possible)

It a normal good sign if you do poo as it shows you are pushing effectively and the anus will be opening. also if your rectum is loaded with poo then it will stop baby descending. Most women do poo and trust me mws love seeing it and hearing farts as they know things are happening and the birth won't be too far off
btw the doctor who said that to u needs a slap and a good read up about natural labour.

I didn't, but probably because I spent most of my 24 hour labour on the toilet with the runs . Starshaker, that dr sounds awful.

damn i was ment to pick it up again? Im hoping se is nowhere near this time as i will probably not be so polite lol

You leave your dignity at the door, but pick it back up again before you leave

The doctor said you were disgusting? Really? A doctor who deals with births day in day out thinks that something totally involuntary that happens during many many births is 'disgusting'? Take no notice. I hope you have refused to have that doctor anywhere near you for this birth!

I did, with both. I'm not embarrassed, it's quite normal. And tbh, you are in a room full of people, legs akimbo, everyone copping an eyeful and many of them with their hand inside you at various times, having a good rummage around, making you remember that series - All Creatures Great And Small!!! you get to the point when you just don't get embarrassed any more!

It's most undignified, but you'll find that when it comes to it - you don't care.

i know its silly and my mate is a nurse so i know she wont be bothered. im just worried scared about a lot of things at the moment and wondered if this could be 1 thing i could kinda control

I didnt poo with either, but with my premmie son, I did have 3 doctors, crash team, scbu team, midwives, students, and my partner there, while putting canular in hand, catheter in bladder, hand up me trying to get blood from unborn baby etc etc so pooing would have just added to the games!!
Dont worry about it, you are going to give birth whether you like it or not so try and laugh about it!
If your friend is there, then she cant be too bothered about a bit off bodily fluid...
And as for the doctor, Id love to know whether she had kids...silly bitch.

nope but she was a bitch anyway and told me at 11.20 to stop pushing as i was going to kill my baby as i was only 2cm. btw dd was born at 11.29

The doctor said that? Really?

Are you sure you weren't mistaken?

I pooed during the pushing phase. I was squatting and midwife tried to make me stand up as contraction ended. Me; I can't, I'm pooing.
Midwife: no, no you're not dear.
Me; Yes I am it stinks!

I really didn't care at all and think the midwife was more bothered when I chucked up all over her...

starshaker.. i didn't poo and it doesn't have to be messy.. the t-shirt i wore to give birth in is a very pale blue and there's not a mark on it. In fact, I wore it yesterday!

cos im on my own now and i will have a friend in with me. When it happened last time the doc who came to examine me said i was disgusting and even though i was high on g&a i remember it and hate the thought of doing it again

Oh, god, you're PARANOID about pooing?

Why?

I pooed, and pissed and farted and huffed and puffed and GAVE BIRTH. Just like billions of other women.

Why are you worried about this? It's a total non issue. Do you have any idea how messy giving birth is?

Honestly, you won't care by the time it happens.

Stop worrying.

I was horrified about the thought of pooing to an audience when I had my first so the Midwife told me that if I did poo I wouldn't actually notice and she wouldn't tell me. Suited me fine. I mean secretly I do know that I pooed because it smelled! But I can pretend I don't know that I did.

No need to name change. Most people poo.

no idea.tere was so much gung and goo hat a bi of poo mixed in wasn't noticed.

birth isn't the neatest and cleanest of actvities.

and if you pooed with your first did you do it with any others. Is there anything you can do to stop it. Im due in Jan (so ages away) and im paranoid about it lol