Evacuating bowels in labour (TMI!)

[BillBrysonsRucksack]

Ummmm, so basically last time I did a poo when I was pushing .

So my questions are: how common is this and how likely is it to happen again? Anything I can do to prevent it?

I seem to recall yelling "I'm going to pooooooooooooooooo" really, really loudly and with a fair degree of panic. The MW popped up between my thighs and cheerily said "No you're not, it's a baby!". About 30 seconds later DD shot out like a bloody rocket.

I pooed!

My sister is a midwife and I asked her if it was common and she said yes it is and most of the time they just "sweep it discreetly to the side" and sometimes the woman doesn't even know about it.

And they have those brilliant nets by the birthing pools to scoop out any floaters, ahaha. I find it all hilarious!

had a massive poo just before I went into labour - i suppose it was the pressure on my colon.

most of my friends poo'd though.

1st one I did, very long pushing stage. 2nd baby 2 min pushing stage no poo!

Never mind the pooh , i remember doing awful long loud farts every time i pushed, they lasted for as long as i pushed .

Am I the only one who asked DH to stand behind my shoulder for the pushing stage? It was specifically motivated by fear of poo view. I know I did poo a bit because the sheets were smeared with it afterwards (yick! I felt very betrayed by the midwife in antenatal class who assured me it would be discreetly cleaned away as soon as it happened - I was actually left lying in pooy bloody sheets for 3 hours (shame on you Kingston hospital!) HOWEVER - I dont mean to put anyone off - I was the happiest I have ever been in my life! The thrill of my baby arriving just took away all the negatives that had gone before - its so true that you really just dont care.