bowel movements during birth, serious?

Question

Serious question. I have heard about woman have uncontrollable bowel movements from pushing. Now this might sound odd but I would like the birth of my child to be recorded, however I do not wish to have a big pooper hanging out at the bottom of the screen. Is this a really common occurance? If so Will I be able to get out of bed to release before its showtime? This is a serious question, so I would appriciate only serious answers. Thank you.

I understand the pain people, that is besides the point. I know I cant get up during birth, I was talking about during labor, not birth, Im not going to walk to the bathroom with a head coming out!!!!

Answer 1

You can have an enema done before the childbirth to prevent an unwanted bowel movement. See: http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/1483/enema.html

A doctor gives this advice to a woman with the same question:

"...I've never even seen a woman be shaved or get an enema! These procedures were once considered standard in American hospitals, but no longer.

Pushing out stool during the course of delivery is very common, and you should not be embarrassed about it. As I tell my patients who worry about this, "If you push out a little stool, then I know you're pushing correctly!" Believe me, the only things that will faze your doctor or the nurses is kicking or biting. Urinating, having a bowel movement, or even yelling four-letter words and making threats of bodily harm to your partner who got you into this predicament are par for the course.

Of course, if you are going to be embarrassed beyond belief, and especially if you feel you will not give pushing your all for fear of passing some stool, ask your doctor about taking an enema at home or ask for one at the hospital. Although enemas are no longer routine, if you ask, you can have one."

(From http://health.ivillage.com/gyno/gynoreprohealth/0,,5l32,00.html)

Another site says, from a doctor:

""It's purely a space issue," says Arianna Sholes-Douglas, M.D., director of the High-Risk Pregnancy Center at Mercy Medical Center, in Baltimore. "As your baby's head makes its way through the birth canal, the rectum gets flattened and its contents are pushed out." In any event, don't worry. "These bodily functions happen all the time -- there's very little we haven't seen or heard before," says Deborah Robbins, R.N., program manager of parent and childbirth education at Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston."

(http://www.parents.com/parents/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/parents/story/data/5007.xml&catref=prt12)

In other words, it's common, if you want to have the whole "natural" process taped you might as well leave it in - because it's natural! But if you'd rather have it left off the record (although most of the women in interviews sound like it wasn't their concern at the time!) the enema - by request - is an option. It does hasten labour though.

Answer 2

I can understand your concern. First, its a normal process. I know when I was in my last month I would not eat alot at one time. I would eat things like jello, soup, popsicles and anything that would pass through my body quickly. I also drank plenty of fluids. This would allow my body to have time to get rid of the small amount of bowel in my body. It also made it easier for the bowel to come out. I never had a problem with it and I had 4 children.

When your in labor and having all those strong contractions, your body is preparing for the delivery. You will feel the need to have a bowel movement. Ask your doctor if you can use the bathroom, but I will tell you that most doctors will only allow you to use a bed pan for the fear that the baby may come out into the toilet.

Its a natural process. When the doctor tells you to push that's when it usually happens. The baby's head is pushing down and will push out any bowl that is left.

Just remember when you just don't feel quite right, the birth process may be close at hand. Listen to your body. Again remember to eat wisely and you should be fine.

Answer 3

It is very common. I pooped with two of three births...all the pushing feels the same - you can't control what comes out. BUT...I know it's common because my third was a waterbirth and I voiced my concern over pooping in the tub. My midwife smiled and showed me a large netted ladel thingy - she called it a "pooper scooper". It's common enough they are prepared at all births for a little poop.

And you might be a little embarrased, but not much - the pain is too great, and when the little miracle arrives, all pain, suffering and embarrasment are instantly forgotten.

If it really concerns you, when you are within a few weeks of your due date, start watching what you eat - eat nothing that could constipate - eat only foods that will go through you quickly. You can also take up to two tablespoons of castor oil (I mixed it with ice cream because the taste is horrible) and it will act as a mild laxative. But be careful - don't use too much - with my second and third child it started my labor before the laxative effect could take place.

It's no big deal - nothing to worry about. I promise! Been there three times, and will be there again in the fall.

Blessings!!

Answer 4

I had four babies, all natural birth. I did not video tape mine, but I did not believe I pooped any during any birth, as I think you aren't even aware if you actually do so, given the pain, and the work you are doing to expel your child. BUT... however, I had terrible diarrhea, prelabor with my third child and it is presumed that my child picked up a bit of fecal matter in the birth, as 7 days later he was diagnosed with Ecoli, a SERIOUS bacterial infection, and we almost lost him. Since then I have been a big advocate of women having enemas before the birth, and the birth area being triple sterilized if need be to ensure that families do not have to go through what we went through with our child and his illness. (Even though it was a rare situation.) Many women do push a bit of fecal matter out, and it is nothing to be embarrassed about, but you want to make sure you can lessen the possibility if possible. Don't feel embarrassed discussing this with your doctor too. Happy birthing..., and congrats!!!

Answer 5

yes, it can definitely happen, but is usually doesn't because once you go into labor (assuming you go to the hospital once you notice that you are), the nurses won't let you eat anything so as to prevent a bowel movement while pushing. it feels like a big lugie, but it's not. all you will get is steak chips (ice chips, my nurse called it that just to make it seem appealing) and maybe juice. as long as you follow the orders and be careful of what you eat when you think you are in labor, or pass the dung before you have to push (privately), you won't have anything to worry about.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

If you're really concerned about having a bowel movement during delivery--yes it does happen--then have an enema when you check into the hospital and go into labor. I think they still ask you if you want one. They used to give you one as a matter of policy, but I think now they'll ask if you want one.

Answer 7

You can try evacuating your bowels while you're still in labor (so long as you don't have an epidural, or at least not the one that I had), though it does happen anyway, from what I heard. I think I was lucky and it didn't happen to me, but I also used the bathroom several times before we even went to the hospital. Hate to say it, but the body will also sometimes try to flush itself out before labor. Whatever you do, don't let it get to you while you're in labor. BM or not, if you hold back on pushing, you will delay labor and only tire yourself out. If you get too tired out, you are more likely to have a c-section.

Answer 8

It happens a lot because the muscles you use to push are the same muscles you use to poop. You can try to empty your bowels before hand but usually by that point you're really constipated. I have to say, recording a birth is weird. I thought having a kid was the most embarrasing experience ever and would never want to relive it. Groups of people staring at my crotch...the afterbirth...ew.

Answer 9

Ive had 3 kids, and that was my main concern at every birth that that would happen. I had a midwife deliver my 3, and I know it happened to me at one time, but when it comes time to pushing, you dont care what comes out, just so that baby is out , honestly! in fact, im not even sure if it happened (bm)cause the midwife covered and cleaned it up so fast i was hardly aware of it. some women will have diarrehea when labor first starts, so that will clean you out, and you wont have to worry, your bowel will be empty - but then theres always gas to worry about!

Answer 10

They will not let you get out of bed while you are giving birth, and besides that you need to check with your doctor before bringing a video camera in because a lot of hospitals do not allow video taping during births because if the doctor does something wrong the tape can be used against them and/or the hospital. It is pretty common for it to happen.