Poop while giving birth

**lizzardb63** · 09-27-2010 10:34 AM

When giving birth, does every woman poop on the table? I've heard its really common. Is it something to be embarassed about. My boyfriend said that if/when we have kids (after marriage of course) he wants to be there every second. What does the doctor do if the woman does poop? Just a paranoia I guess.

**WildChild** · 09-27-2010 11:19 AM

I've had two births and never had this happen. Been present at some other women's births and it never happend then either.

Once upon a time it was a common practice to give the mother an emema or two when she went into labor- but then they used to give babies ememas to avoid dirty diapers and children and adults once a week (often a series one after the other) to have a "clean" bowel.

Flat on your back is the worst, hardest on your body way to do it, it give the doc a nice view but messes up the labor and the woman. When you are in labor, I doubt this will even enter your mind, you will have more pressing things on your mind.

**Olympia** · 09-27-2010 11:27 AM

I come from a large family, and none of the females ever experienced this. Personally, i was in labor for such a long time, with nothing in my stomach to poop out! (three times).
If this is a concern of yours, best to speak to your OB. But, as WC put it... It will and should be the least that is on your
mind.

**sungoddesschelsy** · 09-27-2010 11:48 AM

My mother told me she did this with both my brother and I... she said the nurses just cleaned her up and told her it happens all the time. I'm so glad I have a great sense of humor... as it is a constant joke between my mother I.

**crazykatbear** · 10-02-2010 06:44 AM

I haven't had a child yet, but was present for 3 births. All 3 pooped on the table. My sister was even having dreams about the doctor asking her not to do it again. It depends on how big the baby is and how it comes out. 2 of the births saw the baby's shoulder getting in the way. The nurse had to press really hard on the pelvic arch to pop it and the baby came out. It forced his shoulder to squeeze enough and that pressure saw a poop on the table. No worried. It happens. Everyone is different.

**kishjo2004** · 10-04-2010 05:18 PM

It happened to me with my first child. It may have had something to do with me sneaking food while in labor. It was almost 12 years agi, but I think that they just cleaned it up and focused on the baby.

**marmar86** · 10-04-2010 06:07 PM

I didn't go while giving birth, but one of my friend did, and its just a little bit. Being in labor tends to naturally get your bowels moving, so you do tend to have loose stools while in labor which helps clean you out when its time to have the baby. Some women eat while in labor ( I did not) While in labor, your body is only focusing on the contractions, so your other systems slow right down including digestion which is why they tell us to eat very lightly while in labor. So this might contribute to the pooing. but with my friend, they just wiped it up as soon as it came out! and like i said, if you do go on the table, its usually only a very little bit and iits completely normal.