The moment of truth is approaching. You’ve spent months preparing for your baby’s arrival. The nursery is ready, your hospital bag is packed, and you’ve read every pregnancy book on the shelf. But there’s one thing no one prepares you for – the possibility of pooping during labor.

It’s something every mom-to-be worries about but no one wants to talk about. Will your body betray you in the delivery room? Can you avoid joining the approx. 1 in 3 women who pass stool while pushing?

The good news is this: with the right tips and techniques, it is possible to reduce your chances of pooping during labor. While you can’t control every bodily function, you can stack the odds in your favor for a mess-free delivery.

In this post, you’ll discover practical expert-backed strategies to keep your dignity intact and avoid an embarrassing moment when it counts most. We’ll cover everything from what to eat (and what to avoid), positions that discourage pooping, and the truth about enemas.

Arm yourself with the facts and give yourself the gift of one less thing to stress over. Let’s ease your worries about pooping during labor! The following tips will help you face childbirth with confidence – and a clean backside.

Why Pooping During Labor Happens

Before diving into prevention strategies, let’s quickly look at why pooping during labor occurs in the first place. Understanding the reason will help the solutions make more sense.

As your baby’s head moves through the birth canal, it puts pressure on your rectum. This makes it harder to hold in stool and gas.

Late pregnancy hormones also slow down your digestion and make constipation more likely. If stool gets backed up, it’s more likely to come out involuntarily during pushing.

Relaxation of the pelvic muscles during childbirth can cause some loss of bowel control as well. This is all totally normal in the process!

Now that we’ve covered the reasons, here are your best tips for avoiding pooping on the delivery table.

1. Get an Enema

Enemas help empty and clean out the bowel prior to labor. This reduces the amount of stool that could come out while pushing.

Talk to your doctor about scheduling an enema for about 2 weeks before your due date. They’ll insert a liquid solution into your rectum that causes you to have a bowel movement.

Just don’t do an at-home enema – only get one prescribed by your OBGYN. Improper enema use could cause complications.

2. Choose Your Birth Position Carefully

Certain positions during labor put more pressure on the rectum and make pooping more likely. Others can help minimize it.

Being on your back or reclined puts more pressure on the anus. Instead opt for upright positions like:

Squatting
Standing
Kneeling
On all fours

These keep the rectum relatively relaxed compared to lying down. Just shift positions if you feel bowel pressure building.

3. Eat a High Fiber Diet

Fiber helps food move smoothly through your digestive tract. This makes you less likely to get constipated and have built-up stool.

Focus on high fiber foods like whole grains, beans, vegetables, and fresh fruits. Stay hydrated too.

Avoid bananas and rice late in pregnancy – these can be constipating.

4. Consider an Oil Retention Enema

This type of enema just softens existing stool using oil so it can pass more easily. It doesn’t cause immediate bowel emptying like a traditional enema.

Mineral oil is commonly used. Ask your doctor about this option that may relax the rectum and reduce pushing pressure.

5. Try Prunes or Other Natural Laxatives

Prunes, pear juice, and molasses are natural laxatives that can keep you regular pre-labor. This prevents constipation and build-up.

Discuss trying these with your OBGYN to see if they recommend any to add to your diet in the final weeks.

Just avoid overdoing it – diarrhea right before labor can lead to dehydration.

6. Relieve Yourself Before Heading to the Hospital

Use the bathroom to empty your bladder and bowels before leaving for the hospital when contractions start.

Don’t hold it until you get settled into your room. Take this final opportunity for unpressured potty time.

7. Get an IV

Getting intravenous fluids at the hospital helps keep you hydrated. Staying hydrated ensures soft bowel movements if you do poop.

It also prevents harder stool that requires more pushing and rectal straining.

8. Try Squatting

As mentioned earlier, squatting is ideal during labor to reduce rectal pressure.

Squat over the toilet to have a bowel movement if you feel the urge to poop during early labor at the hospital. Let gravity help it pass more easily.

During the pushing stage, get in a supported squatting position on the bed. A partner can help support your weight.

9. Communicate with Nurses

Don’t be embarrassed to let nurses know if you feel like you have to poop, or if it happens unexpectedly.

They can help clean you up quickly and discreetly so you stay comfortable.

Also ask for stool softeners or an enema if you think you’re constipated. Don’t wait until you’re pushing!

10. Focus Pushing on Your Vagina

Your OBGYN will coach you on proper pushing techniques. Make sure to focus your efforts vaginally.

Concentrate on pushing as if you are having a bowel movement through your vagina – not your anus! This keeps the strain downward.

11. Consider Pain Medication

Epidurals or other medications help relax muscles, including those in the rectal area responsible for holding in stool.

Discuss your pain management options with your doctor. Some relaxation of these muscles may be worth it for pain relief!

12. Don’t Worry Too Much!

As embarrassing as it seems, pooping during labor is very common. The nurses won’t even blink an eye if it happens.

Try not to obsess over it too much. Staying calm will help your body do the same.

You’re doing an amazing thing delivering a human into the world! A little poop along the way won’t take away from that miracle.

In Conclusion: You’ve Got This!

While pooping during labor does happen, you’re not just unavoidably doomed to it. With the right preparation and techniques, you can minimize the chances.

Eat fiber, get an enema, communicate with your care team, focus your pushing, and try labor positions that discourage straining. Above all – don’t stress over it too much!

You’re stronger than you know. With the courage and perseverance that got you through 9 months of pregnancy, you can absolutely tackle childbirth with poise – and a clean bottom!

Now you’re armed with the facts to approach your delivery with less anxiety. Here’s to a smooth labor and delivery – and leaving the poop panicking behind!