As the end of my pregnancy nears, the more I ponder over labor and delivery. Honestly, I'm not nervous about the pain and all that jazz. My biggest labor/delivery fear is the possibility that I could "poo" on myself.... Yikes!!! So my question is, if anyone is comfortable answering, did this happen to you during the pushing phase? I want to hear your labor and delivery stories to ease my mind(or not ) Thanks ladies!

Treeny

Believe me when your at that point you wont even care!
That did not happen to me, or most of the people that I have talked to.

rankrank55

I'm sure that's the case; it's just so hard to imagine not caring, haha! Ug, I hope I can slide by that "issue" though!

amIwrong

I can see being scared about the pain, but remember fear makes it worse. I mean, if you are planning to use some form of pain management then hopefully you won't be so distracted to have to worry about that. I know pooing on the table is a common fear of women, and really, your in a room full of people, with more important things going on. If nothing even more private things going on. I mean, I know this does not mean anything, but for one, the medical staff sees it all the time and they expect it, they don't care. Really, it's just another day at the office. I am serious, you are just one of several. It's new to you, not them. If your husband/boyfriend/baby daddy is there I am sure if this is his first he is either as over whelemd as you are trying to take it all in, or won't notice due to the baby being the priority.

I mean, none of us wants to throw up in front of someone, but I am sure you have been at some point in your life, or drunk and gotten sick in front of someone? Had a period emergency in public? I mean, your not going to be doing this in public, so.........it's not that bad. Not to freak you out, and I am sure you have thought about all of this but the duration of the labor, an episiotomy, c section, etc are more scary then pooing. I would gladly take pooing over those things. I know it's scary, but the media does it no justice. I mean, the media plays up everything they can to be dramatic. I have watched women give birth to their own baby in water birth with a midwife avaliable and did just fine. It seems the more at peace you are the better the chances. Though, obviously things can happen. Here is a source that might be useful if you have not seen if before. Birth Story Diaries - women and their birth stories told in pictures If nothing else give yourself an enema when your in pre labor or active labor then you won't have to worry about it. Or ask your OB for one. Lastly, almost every patient I have seen, maybe 90% have pooed.

Altenweg

I've had two kids, natural child birth, absolutely no drugs. I honestly don't know if I pooed myself or not, if so the doctor never mentioned it, besides it's quite common so it doesn't even phase the doctor. When you are pushing you are pushing as if you are having a bowel movement, it stands to reason that sometimes something other than the baby comes out. It really isn't that big a deal sweetie, honestly.

To put your mind at ease about the rest, both my labor and deliveries where not bad. Like I said, I had natural child birth. My first was 5 hours of labor and 1 1/2 hours of pushing, I had to have an episiotomy, which was not as bad as I thought, my son was 8 pounds 2 1/2 ounces. With my second child I also had natural child birth, 3 hours of labor and 10 minutes of pushing, another empisiotomy and a beautiful 8 pound 4 1/2 ounce baby girl. You'll be just fine. Good Luck.

rankrank55

Wow, 2 natural/no drugs...what a trooper!!! Thanks for the input guys; this really helps!

rpg219

Hiya Rank! Thought I would put my little personal info on this

The first birth I witnessed....she pooed on the table. So, needless to say, I had the same fear you do now (I even apologized to the doc before hand, lol). With Colton, I pushed for hours...hard pushing. The only thing that came unexpected was watching his head do the whole peek-a-boo stunt, hahaha. (I had a mirror and watched the whole thing)

Don't you worry girlie...everything WILL be fine Good luck with your upcoming labor. I can't wait to see some pics of little Lia Kate. You are in my heart and prayers!!!!

J_9

Not to worry sweetie. I had 2 with the epidural and 2 completely natural. I don't know if I messed myself or not. Wast the last thing on my mind.

Now that I work in Labor & Delivery I would say that it's about half and half. Some women do, others don't. But it's part of the normal and natural birthing process. The doctor just wipes it away and goes on with his/her business.

Becca1025

I honestly do not know. I was too occupied with getting him out already I just kept pushing away. At first I told the nurse I was afraid of that and she just said not to worry, it happens and if it does then they just clean you up and continue on. It really goes unnoticed she said. But once I started pushing I forgot about it and thenI remembered the next day after my baby was born and asked my fiance if I did go on the delivery table and he said he didn't think so, but then he was too busy trying not to faint...

rankrank55

Thanks so much, such a sweet and honest answer! Helped a lot! I can't wait to show you guys little Lia once she makes her arrival!!!!

To J9- Thanks as well, it's comforting hearing from someone who sees the L/D scene on a regular basis!!

Becca- I'm glad to hear that the majority of everyone's fear of pooing sort of diminishes once you really get into the pushing phase Ahhhhh....I feel a lil better now!!!!!