How Common Is It to Have a Bowel Movement During Delivery?
Even though it can feel embarrassing to talk about, itâs not uncommon for moms to poop while theyâre in labor! When a mom pushes her babyâs head through the birth canal, it can feel quite like having a big bowel movementâŚwhich is why she often may end up having one!
How Common is it to Poop During Labor?
Pooping During Labor
Thereâs no need to worry, though. Doctors and nurses are ready for it...because it happens all the time. In the whirlwind of chaos that is labor, it wonât even be a notable part of the birth.Â
If this is something you wish to avoid itâs a good idea to talk to your midwife or OB about options. Ask them what you can do to increase your chances of having a bowel movement in the early stages of laborâŚso by the time youâre at the pushing stageâŚyouâre all cleaned out!
Your First Postpartum PoopÂ
After delivery, you will want to take a stool softener. Juices like prune or aloe vera are natural laxatives or over the counter medicines like milk of magnesia and Colace are safe for breastfeeding moms. Youâll likely be very sore, and with everything else on your plate, the last thing youâll want to add is constipation. Once you get home, remember to keep things movingâŚdrink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables. A fiber supplement may help as well.
Baby's First Poop
Speaking of bowel movements, youâll want to pay attention to your babyâs as well. If she poops before birth, it may be a sign of fetal distress (youâd notice it if your water breaks and has a black/green discoloration). Or, sometimes during labor, babies become a bit stressedâmaybe the cord is getting compressed âand the stress can lead to a bowel movement. This poop is called meconium, a thick, greenish-black sticky tar-like poop. Youâll probably be cleaning meconium out of diapers for the first few days until she flushes it out with all the milk sheâs drinking.Â
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