Water birth - what if I poo?!

[lillamyy1]

Would I have to get out of the water? Would someone fish the poo out? I don't think DH would want to do that...
How grotty does the water get generally?
Really want a water birth but was too embarrassed to ask about this in antenatal class!

I think the midwives fish it out with a net.
I haven't had a water birth though so couldn't be talking rubbish.

They scoop it out with a sieve.

Scooped out before you know it, don't worry :)

Ds pooed while we were in the water, just as he'd been born, but tbe it was fished out by the midwife with no fuss, but it was a green lump of meconium. The water stayed remarkably yuk free, the pictures show it as being really clear. By the time I got into the water I'd been stuck on the loo on labour ward for about an hour unable to get off as no one at the hospital (where they'd indiced me not two hours before ) would believe I was really in labour, and as a consequence had nothing left to come out! If you do poo, it really will be the last thing on your mind and the midwife will deal with it.

You only poo right near the end. I did and was only really aware of it as I heard midwife fish something out. By that point you don't give a sh*t IME

when I was pregnant with DD, the antenatal class that covered water births included the tip Don't forget to pack a sieve for scooping out poo, Poundland ones are fine

Thanks all!

I did right before I delivered her head. Hubby fished it out with a sieve bless him. (Was a home birth so not sure if MW woils do it at hosp). I honestly didn't care at the time as there was nothing I could do. My body was doing all the pushing and I had no control over it at all.
The water was completely clear after the birth though. I couldn't believe how clear it was. The water birth experience was incredible. So much nicer than my first birth lying on a bed in hosp. X

You really won't care by this point.

I did, quite a lot... but it wasn't really a big deal, everyone was just focused on the birth and understood that that might be part of it. A built-in pool in a birthing unit has a hardcore pump drain, not just a plughole, so when I decided I wanted a clean bath I got out and they emptied it and ran a new one.

Do not worry about the poo. The MW told me they are pleased if you poo as it means you're pushing well. I defo did two poos, I suspect more. I also farted in the OB's face whilst being stitched up. I was past caring-there is no dignity left any more

It is scooped out and you probably won't even notice. There is so much pressure down there, I doubt you will feel something as small as a poo coming out.
Midwifes 'like' poo, as it is a sign of good progress.
Your partner is a grown up who also poos and probably is too overwhelmed by everything going on to take much notice.