Mumsnet Talk

I have to take a poo sample for ds, who has fairly wet poo, how in the hell do I do this?

Line the toilet bowl with a plastic bag?

Scoop a small amount with a plastic spoon and put in an airtight container (one of those little snap-lid ones, maybe)

Depends how old? Do you still have a potty they would use? Or balance the potty at the base of the loo? good luck!

Please don't laugh, when I had to do this for dts1 I had to persuade him to poo on newspapers next to the toilet. I kid you not. It worked though. Hopefully you got a little pot to put it in though.

Once finished scoop the poo into the toilet, put the newpaper into a plastic bag and into the outside bin. Kind of like kittie litter. Ok, you can all make fun of me now.

Have you got the blue-lidded sample pot from the doctors they come with a scoop attached to the inside lid. Atternatively if it's too loose a syringe?

As for catching it an old potty in the toilet?

Depending on age, a potty would work well. For an older child, something like a (thoroughly cleaned and thoroughly rinsed) margarine tub is a realistic size to try to catch a poo with.

The surgery will usually give you a small pot and a wooden spatula type thing to put it in - check what time the samples are collected - if they get picked up at 1pm daily you don't want to take it in at 2pm, some tests are best done with a fresh sample.

DS is 6. Don't have a potty and ds would absolutely refuse to sit on one anyway.

That's a good idea BeerTricks, the doc already gave me a pot and spatula. The only problem is, ds normally wees at the same time. I wonder if that would affect the results - if the poo had remants of wee on it?

And do you tend to put it all in a plastic bag when you go in to hand it over to the receptionist? There is a clear plastic pocket I'm supposed to put it in which is attached to some forms, but I'm guessing it would be a little impolite to just hand over a visible pot of poo?

Or an old plastic bowl in the toilet might be more stable.

Yeah, wrap in a plastic bag to transport and hand over.

TwoIfBySea - I fear ds' poo is far too wet to go the newspaper route.

Potty in the toilet also great idea - not that I have a potty though.

Great tip Moaning, re calling surgery for times. And also big tub great idea - I think I'll probably go with that, with maybe a plastic bag underneath so I don't have to hold the tub. His poo is wet and splattery and I don't fancy getting covered in it.

Hello,

How careful you are about collecting depends what its for, if its something like checking fat content or enzymes it musnt be fished out the toilet or contaminated with wee.

The gp should be able to give you a cardboard shell you fit into toilet, made of the same stuff as hospital sick bowls/

Best of luck!

what a delightful thought for a sunday evening haha, I always put it inside a paper bag or similar, dont want others in the queue to have to see it! usually handed over like a drug deal too

pot in the toilet would work just as well (something curved may serve the purpose if its as splattery as described an old fruit bowl perhaps?

He has had diarrohea for about 6 months tumble8 so think they want to check for everything they can. GP did not have a cardboard shell - which sounds very useful, she just suggested putting clingfilm down in the basin first, which I tried but it kept sinking into the toilet water.

WittyTitle, I know, far more suitable for a Friday night when anything goes, but can't wait that long!

PMSL whether I guess with the dreaded trots saranwrapping the seat might get a bit messy!
Poor boy though (and poor you!) 6 months is a nightmare! Have they ruled out allergies? is he bloated at all?
I would defo make sure it doesnt get contaminated though or you may have to repear it all over again!
Il rack my brains and if I come up with anything il let you know!!!

It is a nightmare, I stormed into the docs the other day and demanded to be referred to a specialist, as it's been going on for so long. My heart sinks everytime he sits on the toilet! Could be allergies, anything possible at the moment.

I reckon someone out there needs to invent a poo-catcher and go on Dragon's Den!

it was invented a long time ago, its called mom!!
Do you have a large measuring jug?
Im just thinking it lowered into the toilet from the back with him perched towards the front of the loo, holding the handle may keep you out of the firing line? and also make the "product" easier to pour into the container?

I admit, i googled it, and I urge you to google poop-hoop and watch the accompanying infomercial, I have an awesome mental image!

I could have done with a poop-hoop when I was potty training!

Hmm, I only have one measuring jug. But it's a good idea and will look in poundland to see if they have any there.

poo catcher - since they didnt give you a cardboard one, have you got an egg box? tear off the top, the bit without the egg shaped indentations?

or use the other side and have 6 perfectly seperated portions of poop, free range of course!

On a serious note it you do try it put cellophane in first to stop contaminants!

I'm going to go into the bathroom armed with jugs, cellophane, egg boxes, plastic bags and an old fruit bowl.....and still end up covered in shit, aren't I.

To be honest I think if youre son sees you coming with that lot he might just poop his pants anyway!

Perfect!

Ah how we love a good poo thread. Success yet whethergirl?

Thanks for asking DG...Weeell....there were quite a few false alarms tonight as I think ds was put off by me hovering around his arse with an egg carton and spatula. But when he did finally do a poo....and I can hardly believe this...it was the first proper solid poo in about 6 months. It took me by surprise and I was unable to catch it.

I wonder if he is miraculously cured? Perhaps I have just discovered that egg cartons are the secret cure for diarrohea.

Ahem, I apologise DorothyGherkins I mean we have found the secret cure. An egg carton was just an egg carton in my small narrow minded head before you came along and opened up the door of possibilities.