Andrex Advert: Pooing in Labour!

[Roaminginthegloaming]

I’ve been watching a couple of programmes on ITV X this week and there is currently an advert from Andrex toilet rolls.

The advert is quite a long one; it’s all about various women all about to give birth and raising awareness that many women do a poo whilst in labour, whether in a birthing pool or on a hospital bed. (I can’t remember if they showed a home birth?). There was a guy with a fishing net to catch the floaters in a pool….

It showed a room full of heavily pregnant women in a childbirth class bouncing on yoga balls chanting “PUSH - POO”!

It also showed various women with their newborns saying things like “my partner wiped me when I did a poo” and another mum saying something along the lines of “well you might as well get used to the mess”.

There were a few shots of people waving an (Andrex) toilet roll around.

It all seemed pretty weird to me. I’m aware that over the years period adverts have become more graphic, but doing a poo whilst in labour isn’t something I’ve ever discussed with anyone before - not even my mum, my sisters or my friends (and they’ve never raised the subject either!). Maybe I’m getting too old…..

Thoughts?

They did partner with The Positive Birth Company to make the advert- I thought it was really nice to see a range of births (at home, upright positions, birth pool) rather than the usual 'on her back screaming scenario that is usually shown on TV

My first thought ! 😂 it's like the " gush" advert they have on tv 🙄

Bring back the puppy

It is disgusting - bring back the lovely puppies.

They should bring back the enema pre birth - that would stop it.

But we won’t choose them, because their advert will remind us of how they humiliated us with their stupid advert. Childbirth is hard enough without some idiot advertising t**t seeking to dehumanise us even more just to sell the brand.

Me too, out of principle.

I hate this advert and am
embarrassed by it. Im
a woman.

Sorry I posted on the wrong thread

It’s a ridiculous advert tactic. I agree op.

I didn't poo during the delivery of my son, so although it might happen to other women I understand. Is it a good advertising campaign? I don't think so.

I don't like it. I also really dislike that advert where women are shaving their armpits and bikini lines. Grim (am a woman).

No, she did not. In fact she had a rant at me for doing one when I'd asked her for help to go to the loo (had all sorts of machines strapped to me) and she handed me a bowl, then kicked off because it wasn't a wee. I was mortified as well as terrified as I was trapped with just her at 4am.

I think it's great , I didn't know you pooed in labour and I was unprepared and really embarrassed when it happened to me.

Dehumanise?? Like it or loathe it, they're doing the exact opposite of dehumanising women.

It is human to poo during labour (most other animals don't have to push, in case you wondered). Human women's bodies are messy; I don't see anything wrong with acknowledging these facts.

It's only dehumanising if your concept of a human is a male.

Imagine crapping in childbirth. Have some dignity and at least wait until afterwards - preferably until you get home.

Have some dignity. In childbirth 😂😂😂

I think it's a little bit ridiculous for a woman to feel embarrassed about pooing towards the end of a vaginal labour. I did for all three of mine!
It is very normal and recent studies are suggesting it may in fact be advantageous for baby.
No idea why there is such a stigma around it.

Made me laugh as there was a very popular male midwife at our hospital, and you can guess what his name was!

There's evidence that accidental consumption by babies of a small amount of their mothers' faecal matter as they exit the vagina is really good for their microbiome and future immune system: https://www.science.org/content/article/eating-tiny-bit-mom-s-poop-could-give-c-section-babies-immune-primer
I don't think there should be any shame or "ick factor" around pooing in labour - IME well over 85% of women do. It's a complete non-issue, a normal part of a physiological birth, and potentially quite beneficial for the baby.
@NoGarlic is absolutely spot on with "It's only dehumanising if your concept of a human is a male."

@Cvn Absolutely agree. A poster on here said it was one of the main reasons she opted for a C Section (she didn't want the "humiliation" of pooing in labour). I personally found that quite sad.

@bigyellowtractorface This is a sarcastic post, right?! 😄

I've obviously not seen the advert (thank goodness) as clicked on thinking politics🤔🤣 however , I must agree with other posters, I'm sick of adverts about women's bodily functions.

Lots of adverts for women's incontinence products, I'm sure there are as many older men with incontinence issues caused by prostate problems but I've never seen an advert about products for them!

For the record, 60s and three vaginal births and no continence issues, it must make young women frightened that it's inevitable🤦‍♀️

I saw that ad yesterday and my jaw couldn't have hit the floor quick enough

Just to say Im mid 60's , never had children myself, raised 2, have grandkids, nieces and nephews and have been in enough birthing suites to know its not all sweetness and light

Im also from the generation where a shave an enema was part and parcel

Poo happens, do we need to be told that on a 90 sec advert?

If anything I will avoid Andrex from now on

TBH I also dislike the one where the woman goes to the office loo with the loo roll

I dont think they are sending positive messages, rather making it feel more embarrassing for those that already feel embarrassed

I can now imagine loads of mums being asked by their kids - Mum did you take a dump when birthing me?

Yes, that is what happens with me. It was only a tiny bit and the midwife just wiped it away, they are used to that. My husband of course thought it was funny.
I have no idea what the midwife used to wipe, doubt very much it was Andrex.

I haven't seen the advert where that it is discussed. I used to like the Andrex adverts in which children were asked how clean they were after a pool
"As clean as a spoon in a circus", stays in my mind.

When I had dc1 the consultant said ‘ooh you’ve been taking your iron tablets haven’t you?’ I had literally zero idea he knew that because I’d just delivered a foot long black shit. I’m mortified 31 years later but at the time thought I was star pupil…