Having an accident during labor?

Question

Hey ladies Im a first time mom and im afraid of labor itself I know it should be fine since women keep having more than on! I have a question about pooping or peeing during labor, did it happen to any of you? How can this be avoided? Im worried since I plan to have an all natural labor. I know that when the time comes Im not gonna care but knowing myself I think I would be a little embareassed. Please let me know ur labor experience!

Answer 1

Honey, those doctors have seen EVERYTHING.

It can't be avoided. When you're in labor, you shouldn't worry about that. You're going to be in pain/stress as is!

Your body will probably secrete a little bowel movement, and that's not a big deal.

Trust me--you'll have people seeing you complete naked in a very awkward situation. Don't let this bother you.

Answer 2

It will most likely happen, there isn't anything anyone can do, all women do it. You are pushing with everything you have so anything in the area will come out. You REALLY won't care when the time comes. You will be able to use the bathroom normally until the very last stages of labor so it will only be a problem during pushing. Sometimes, after your water breaks, the amniotic fluid is expelled a bit with contractions and it feels a litte like peeing and is really uncomfortable/embarassing (at least, that is my least favorite part). I have two little boys and a third on the way so I obviously got over it. It is normal to worry about these things but you are too busy when labor is happening to care. Best wishes.

Answer 3

I've had 2 C-sections and 2 epidurals. The first one was perfect!. No problem! Great anesthesiologist! (Although there is back pain for a few days that really stinks) However my second one was a disaster. I am not saying this to scare you because I am fine now but the anesthesiologist put my epidural in too high and it made my whole body go numb. I couldn't tell I was breathing and couldn't swallow so I felt like I was choking on my own spit. Then, if that wasn't enough, the day after I got home from the hospital I developed an epidural headache. This is where too much fluid had leaked out of your spinal column and it causes headaches. They are so bad you can't even stand up. You have to lay down. Anyway you can have this fixed by outpatient "surgery" where they draw blood from you and insert it back into your spinal column, This was painless. Anyway, this is not too scare you because truly I think I just had an anesthesiologist who wasn't paying attention to what she was doing. She asked me about 4 times how tall I was yet still put it in too high and she was talking to a nurse about her son's wedding while she did my epidural. Hope this helps. It is possible to be paralyzed and you do have to sign a release saying you know the risks, but I've never heard of it actually happening.

Answer 4

Seriously I thought I would die if that happened to me too.

The reality is you don't care not at all lol. There really is not avoiding it unless you have an enema, which isn't standardly offered anymore.

My epidural had started to wear off and when I pushed I felt a little poo escape, the doctor just took what I have to imagine was surigcal gauze, and whisked it away. Thats it. No fuss no muss, no one commented on it *and the room was full of family lol*

I am a VERY modest person, but once the ump-teenth resident checks your dialation and after being spread eagle and pushing for a while your really lose all sense of modesty.

You really have one mindset: Having that baby. And once you hold that little baby in your arms you forget about pooing, or about the army of med students and residents who "felt you up"

Good Luck and Congratulations

Answer 5

I had this same worry! I asked for an enema when I checked in to the hospital and they asked me why, I confessed I was embarrased about what u described. They reassured me that the enema was fine to do BUT it wouldn't get rid of everything n by the time I got to pushing, my body would probably make more "stuff" anyway. They also talked to me about how they do this ALL day long every day, NOTHING is new to them. So, I decided not to do it. I never really felt if I did that or not but I guess so, since everyone does. When ur in pain n pushing and all that, believe me, u wont even remember about that! :-) Best of luck!

Answer 6

OK, I have worked in L&D for 29 years. If you pee/poop during labor without anesthesia, not only will you not care, you may get mad enough to throw it at someone!
About 95% of first time moms pee/poop during delivery- it's just the body making room for the delivery of the baby. Warn your husband ahead of time and tell him never to mention it again.[ Second or more time moms don't do it as much because they ususally deliver faster.]
Please take a chilbirth class with your partner- it will decrease your anxiety and help you learn relaxation
techniques.

Answer 7

It can, and does happen...but often, at the time, you won't know or if you do, it's taken care of without fuss...

But should this be of concern to you...I am sure your doctor will gladly order a enema for you upon admission to the hospital (if you not well into your labor) and that takes care of the problem, most often...

Answer 8

You haev no reason to be embarrassed...and you won't even know you did it...they are very discreet about cleaning up the poop...trust me...while you are trying to push that baby out you won't even know. Besides after you have had what feels like every Dr having their hands up there to check you..you lose all forms of embarrassment. I felt like a movie theater at one point when I looked up...there was my Dr and her team and the pediatrician and his team...my husband and my mohter...I swear I saw the cleaning lady there as well...relax and enjoy the experience.

Answer 9

Most women do it. Dr's expect it. Don't be embarrassed. Just don't go eat any fiber rich muffins or prune juice right before labor. And believe me, when you actually get on the table to have the kid, that will be the farthest thing from your mind.

Answer 10

From a husband and very proud dad, come the birth of your new child that will be the farthest thing from your mind , my wife delivered my beautiful daughter as well as a little turd it doesn't matter, try going without food for 16 hours in your ninth month.