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Original poster

Do most people poo when giving birth? (sorry if TMI).

47 replies

oldboiler · 17/08/2009 19:54

Just wondered if this was true? A few people have told me they didn't but am wondering if they just don't want to admit it as I have read about this. I'm a first timer with baby due this week. I'm planning on giving birth in a birthing pool with my partner so wanted to know what the liklihood is? Obviously am a bit worried about my poo floating on top of the water if this is the case!

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Bellsa · 17/08/2009 19:56

Hmmm. Yes, very common I am afraid. Maybe he'd better take a fishing net?

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 17/08/2009 19:57

I have no idea if I actually pooed but I remember the midwife wiping my bottom when I had DD so I am guessing there was something.

You are normally asked to take a sieve to a water birth.

ThePregnantPhantomPlopper · 17/08/2009 19:58

I didn't was the first.

Did with the second... a lot .

Don't worry about it, you'll be too busy to care even if you do.

MinnieMummy · 17/08/2009 19:58

I think basically if there's anything in the back passage then the baby's head coming down the birthing canal forces anything in there out too.

But really, it's the last thing you or your DH will be worried about at the time!

pixiestix · 18/08/2009 09:02

My best friend pooed all over her boyfriend during labour, but he was being a total cock at the time so I think she did it on purpose...
I don't think you'll care by that stage if its any consolation!
Good luck x

4andnotout · 18/08/2009 09:04

I did when i had dd2, i was in the birthing pool and the midwives just scooped it out with a net

MrsWeasley · 18/08/2009 09:04

I only did with 4th, he was a big baby and MW said it was because he was tight for space.

Disenchanted3 · 18/08/2009 09:06

I did in the pool first time round, I didn't even notice! The midwife scooped it out and I only found out later when I asked DH.

I also did it with DS2 (didn't notice)

And with DD I did notice as I felt it happenening, but I didn't give a shit, literally.

3cutedarlings · 18/08/2009 09:09

I did with both DDs but not with DS but id had shits for weeks at the end of my pg with DS .

DD1 was covered it poo, i thought it was DDs at first

Ceolas · 18/08/2009 09:11

Very common. I know a midwife who refers to the second stage of labour as the "mooing and pooing" stage. I can relate to both of those terms

NorksNappiesAndNowtElse · 18/08/2009 09:14

I tend to get the sh*ts as labour starts, so tis good

littleboyblue · 18/08/2009 09:21

With my first, my body cleared itself out at the start of labour so didn't.
My 2nd I did though. Only a bit dp says.
I was really worried about this, but you really won't care at the time and the mw's will be very discreet and just move it and clean up quickly

TotallyAndUtterlyPaninied · 18/08/2009 13:55

Midwives have a little fishing net to wisk the poo away from the water, so don't worry. If you don't give birth in a birthing pool, you'll do it on a mat which they can move away. DH THINKS I never pood but I think I did but she kept wiping my bum (I was on my side) although that could just as easily have been blood as I had a bad tear.

I must make the point though, there is no dignity in childbirth. I remember worrying about pooping when I was pregnant last time, but when I was giving birth, I was shouting 'ahhhhhhhh my fanny's on fire' as he was crowning, I called one of the midwives 'that bitch' and started yelling at the top of my voice 'YOU ARE NOT LISTENING TO ME I SAID GIVE ME AN EPIDURAL NOW!!!' I refused to do anything the midwives said unless my DP said that I should.

You will cringe afterwards. My one proud thing of labour (apart from the baby)was the fact that once I got on to the actual labour ward, I didn't swear once. I did pee from a great height though.

littleboyblue · 18/08/2009 18:03

TAUP That's really made me laugh!! Can just imagine someone screaming out their fanny's on fire. hahahaha
For me I was telling them to throw me out of the window because I'd had enough!
I pee'd over the mw while she was trying to break my waters!

skybright · 18/08/2009 18:19

I did'nt(that i know of) with my first and second but with my third, a water birth and stuck i did,my OH has an annoying habit of going on about it . I had been constipated for ages though.

They had the same blue ikea sieve to scoop the poo that i have at home,i don't look at it the same way now.

woodhj · 18/08/2009 20:29

After reading all the posts i am actually more worried about someone else having to wipe my bum, poo is bad enough but someone wiping my bum!!!

jamsandwich · 18/08/2009 20:56

discreet mw, my arse.

You're told to push like you're doing a poo, so I followed instructions, to no avail as it turned out as dd needed to be hauled out in the end. But I certainly ticked the pooing box.

I didn't see it, dh politely assures me that he never saw anytyhing, so I might have convinced myself that nothing had happened after all if it hadn't been for the bloody mw saying loudly "oh good, I can see someone has been taking their iron tablets then!"

grrrr

TrinityRhino · 18/08/2009 21:01

not the first time

but ther second and third time dh was my birthing partner
I asked him and he said 'it doesn't matter whether you did or didn't so I dont need to say either way'

which was sweet but I reckon it means I did

ExtraFancy · 18/08/2009 21:04

I did - vaguely remember it but honestly couldn't have given a toss - was more concerned about the 9lb6oz baby working his way out alongside it

My birth-pool-in-a-box came with a sieve, presumably for this very purpose!

pecanpie · 19/08/2009 07:23

It didn't happen to me with DD because I was incredibly constipated. Downside of this was that I just couldn't work out how to push.
SiL told me that they used to let women have enemas before labour which would definitely have prevented my situation. I guess you're lucky if you have enough time to have this done though. Oh - and you won't care if you do - you'll just want baby out as quickly and safely as possible!

neveronamonday · 19/08/2009 10:21

This reply has been deleted

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LoveBeingAMummy · 19/08/2009 10:26

My body had a clear out, both ends

I know its been said but you honestly will not care, or probably notice.

lilymolly · 19/08/2009 10:32

oh thats the least of your worries dear.

Agree the swearing and screaming will be far more embarrassing

"get your hand out of my fucking vagina" was a classic I came out with.....

then afterwards when they stich you up following a 2nd episiotomy, and they shove a tampon up your fanjo to help with the stiching and then shove a suppository up ya arse to help with the pain...........

and your bothered about pooing??

Dont worry x

EyeballsintheSky · 19/08/2009 10:35

PMSL @ lilymolly

Yep, one dc and pooed like a trooper. DH wiped my bottom, bless him. Luckily, he was so traumatised by the rest of it that the pooing was the least of his problems

Lizzylou · 19/08/2009 10:37

DS1 no
DS2 yes, only a little and puked as well
(he was a big baby, wonder if that was why, like Mrs Weasley says)

You really won't care, all bets are off.

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