"Will I poop during delivery? I'll be mortified. How can I stop it?" This is one of the most common questions I hear in prenatal classes, and if you're worried about it, you're definitely not alone.
As a labor and delivery nurse with over 20 years of experience, I'm here to give you the real facts about pooping during childbirth (and why it's actually not something you need to stress about).
Why Pooping During Labor Happens
During delivery, your baby moves through the birth canal and puts direct pressure on your rectum. The same muscles you use to push your baby out are the exact same ones involved in bowel movements. It's simple anatomy and not a failure on your part.
5 Things Every Mom Should Know About Pooping During Delivery
1. Natural Labor Often Prevents It
If you go into labor spontaneously, your body typically clears itself out during early labor at home. You'll likely experience loose stools or diarrhea in early labor – nature's way of making room. However, if you're scheduled for an induction, you miss this natural "prep" phase.
2. We Don't Do Enemas Anymore (Thank Goodness)
Doctors used to routinely order enemas before delivery, but research showed they didn't really help and just made labor more uncomfortable. We've abandoned this practice entirely. I've had patients request them, and their doctors literally laugh it off (that's how outdated it is).
3. Holding Back Actually Slows Down Delivery
Here's the thing: it's physically impossible to clench your rectal muscles without also clenching your pelvic floor muscles. If you're trying to "hold it in," you're literally pushing against closed muscles. The average pushing time for first-time moms is about 2 hours – you don't need anything working against you.
4. It Means You're Pushing Correctly
From a nurse's perspective, seeing a little stool is actually a good sign. It tells us you're pushing in exactly the right place with the right amount of pressure. We discreetly clean it up with a cloth (it takes literally two seconds) and we move on.
This is what we do every single shift. We handle bodily fluids of all kinds: blood, amniotic fluid, urine, vomit, and yes, stool. It genuinely doesn't faze us. We're focused on safely delivering your baby, not judging natural body functions.
5. No One Will Ever Mention It
Here's my promise: if it happens (and it does for the majority of women), it will never be discussed. Not by your nurse, not by your doctor, not by anyone in that room. If someone in your life brings it up afterward, that says everything about them and nothing about you. Your birth team is 100% focused on you and your baby's safety and wellbeing.
The Bottom Line
Your baby's head pushes directly on your rectum during delivery. Some stool may come out, and that's completely normal human anatomy. Fighting it only makes pushing harder and longer.
So in the words of Elsa: Let it go.
Your energy is better spent preparing for the incredible moment you'll meet your baby, not worrying about something your care team handles routinely and discretely every single day.
About the Author Hilary Erickson, RN, BSN, is the creator behind Pulling Curls and The Pregnancy Nurse. She has been a registered nurse since 1997, working in hospice, geriatrics, pediatrics, and labor and delivery. With over 20 years of experience in prenatal education and labor and delivery nursing, Hilary provides practical, evidence-based guidance for expectant parents. She lives in the Phoenix area with her husband and three children.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is for educational purposes and should not replace the care of a physician. Always contact your healthcare provider if you have concerns about your pregnancy or delivery.
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