The question of whether a bowel movement will occur during childbirth is a common concern among expectant parents, often causing anxiety or embarrassment. This natural bodily function is a normal part of labor and delivery. Understanding why this happens and how medical staff manage it can help normalize the experience, allowing the birthing person to focus on bringing their baby into the world.
Yes, It Is Extremely Common
Defecation during the pushing stage of labor is not just possible; it is a very common occurrence that healthcare providers fully expect. While exact statistics vary, some estimates suggest that it happens to a substantial majority of birthing people during vaginal delivery. For many, the movement of stool is often a small, almost unnoticeable event, rather than a significant bowel evacuation.
Nurses and doctors view this as a positive indication of effective pushing. When a birthing person bears down using the correct muscle groups, it naturally exerts pressure on the rectum. This signals that the energy is being directed properly toward the pelvic floor, and the medical team sees it as a sign that the baby is descending and pushing efforts are focused.
Because this event is so common, it is integrated into the routine of the delivery room and is not a moment of surprise or judgment for the staff. It is simply one of the many biological processes that take place during delivery. Focusing on the intensity of labor often means the birthing person is unaware it has even happened.
The Physiology Behind Bowel Movements During Labor
The primary reason for a bowel movement during delivery is the close anatomical relationship between the rectum and the birth canal. The rectum is situated directly behind the vagina, and they share many of the same surrounding muscles in the pelvic floor. As the baby’s head moves down the birth canal during the second stage of labor, it exerts intense pressure on the rectum.
The descending fetal head acts like a natural plunger, pressing against the rectum and physically pushing out any contents. The birthing person often misinterprets the sensation of this pressure as an urge to have a bowel movement, which is why the medical team encourages leaning into that pushing sensation.
Hormonal changes also play a role in preparing the body for labor, and these can affect the bowels. The release of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that help stimulate uterine contractions, can also stimulate the smooth muscles of the digestive tract. This may cause a natural clearing of the bowels in the early stages of labor, sometimes resulting in diarrhea.
How Medical Staff Manage the Situation
The medical team’s response to a bowel movement during delivery is professional, discreet, and routine. Labor and delivery nurses are accustomed to this event and manage it without drawing attention or interrupting the delivery. Their focus remains entirely on the safe delivery of the baby.
As soon as a small amount of stool is passed, the nurse or midwife will quickly and quietly wipe it away using gauze or a clean cloth. This cleanup is performed swiftly and continuously throughout the pushing phase, ensuring the area remains clean. The goal is to prevent the matter from coming into contact with the baby during crowning.
This quick management is a seamless part of the process. The birthing person, focused on the intense work of pushing, is often unaware it has happened. For the staff, this is a minor logistical detail handled with a calm, business-like demeanor, which helps maintain a focused and supportive environment.
Addressing Prevention and Anxiety
Many people desire to prevent a bowel movement during labor, but actively attempting to avoid it is discouraged. Historically, enemas were sometimes given, but this practice is outdated as studies show no significant medical benefit and they can cause discomfort. Furthermore, the body naturally tends to empty its bowels in the hours leading up to labor due to hormonal shifts.
Attempting to hold back or push incorrectly out of fear of defecation can be counterproductive, potentially prolonging labor or making the pushing less effective. The body is designed to deliver the baby, and fighting the natural urge to bear down only adds unnecessary stress and physical resistance to the process.
The best approach is to communicate any anxiety about this topic with the birth team beforehand, allowing them to provide reassurance. Trusting that medical professionals are unfazed by this common occurrence allows the birthing person to relax and concentrate their energy on the work of bringing their baby into the world.