While I was pregnant with my first baby, I had a few worries about my impending birth experience. I guess I was worried about how much it was going to hurt – I mean everyone has their own birth story to tell you and almost everyone who discussed theirs with me said how much pain they had suffered and what pain relief they took, and how fast or long their actual labour was and so on. I always knew that having a baby was going to be painful, I mean it had to be there was no getting away from it. But I also knew that women put themselves through it all the time, and usually more than once so I knew that it couldn’t be *that* bad.
So the nearer my due date approached the more I started not to worry as much about the pain side of things, and instead my mind started to wander to other concerns I had and so I began to worry about what if I poohed whilst giving birth. *Gasps loudly* Yes thats right the fear of leaving a deposit in full view of my midwives, my boyfriend and my best friend.
I actually had a conversation about this with my midwife when I had to discuss my birthing plan with her, so probably when I was about 36 weeks maybe? (I cant recall exactly, I have had two babies since then and not a lot of sleep!). Anyway, she asked me if I had any concerns so I told her about my poo anxieties, and although she was probably laughing inside, she remained professional and told me that it was nothing to worry myself about as it was a normal occurrence and not one worth getting anxious about. So I asked if I could be given something to clear myself out as when I discussed this with my Mum she told me that when she was about to give birth to me, she was given an enema, which I believe was common practise in the ‘old’ days. My midwife told me that it was not widely used anymore but I could request one if it would make me feel more comfortable. She did also tell me that when in labour your own body can ‘flush your system out’, so to speak, so I may not feel the need to ask for an enema afterall.
I also discussed this subject with my best friend who would be accompanying my boyfriend and I during my labour, and who herself was at the time training to be a midwife (she is not newly qualified!). Having already been on hand during several births as part of her training, Kimberly explained to me that it was perfectly normal and a natural bodily function which was easily done due to the force of pushing. She also informed me that the midwives and doctors wouldn’t even blink an eye at the sight of a woman in labour leaving a deposit, because it was a very common occurrence, and it would be handled very discreetly and without any fuss. The single most important concern of theirs would be the safe delivery of my baby and ensuring my labour was safe.
So armed with this information, fast forward to about a week before my due date. In case I was early, I consciously made sure I didn’t eat any spicy foods. Then once I was in labour and in the active stage in hospital, I remember that when I was told to push I was slightly nervous about *really* pushing down hard because I still worried about what else I might push out. Anyway, in the end what with the drugs and the need to get my baby out I did forget about my worries and after some intervention with a ventouse assisted delivery, Burton was born and I maintained my bottom dignity too! *phew!*
(Burton’s birth story is posted here)
(Burton’s birth story is posted here)
So fast forward about 20 months and there I was again in labour for the second (and final) time. If I am honest the only worries I had were how on earth I would cope with two children under two, and how my first born would cope with suddenly no longer being my (only) baby. I was also annoyed because the gas and air which I had enjoyed soooooo much during my first labour, was not working for me during my second, and I was actually in a lot of discomfort and just wanted to get this new baby out of me!!
Maybe, looking back now, that was the problem? Maybe I was too keen to push? Maybe I was more relaxed the second time around? Certainly I suppose my whole ‘downstairs’ area was likely to be more ‘relaxed’ after already experiencing childbirth, especially with a relatively short gap in-between.
Anyway, I digress. My point is I didn’t worry about accidently having a poo during labour this time around, because it was not at the forefront (or should that be foreback!?) of my mind. Plus whilst at home, my body had already had a detox so as far as I was concerned I was ready to go all guns a blazing!
Ha!
I remember watching an episode of One Born Every Minute not long before Jenson was born and seeing some young Polish girl pushing out more than just a baby and feeling quite sorry for her, especially as she was on National TV! I recall thinking how mortified I would be if that ever happened to me.
Well lets just say that I also pushed three things out that night back in March 2010, a placenta, a baby and uhm well ………. *eeeeek* .
I was mortified but the ‘show’ had to go on and I had to cover my face with my arms and keep pushing and not long after Jenson was born!! I just knew that I really had to push down hard because with Burton I had an assisted birth in the end, but this time I had to do it myself.
Its not something I have really shared with anyone before – so I hope you are all feeling really honoured!!!
Ha ha haaa (I nervously giggle wondering if I will now loose lots of readers?!)
(Jenson’s birth story was posted here)
Annnnyway, moving on swiftly……….
This has been written as part of Flashback Friday with the theme of BIRTH STORIES, why not link yours up below (you don’t have to mention poo by the way!)
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*NEXT WEEK*
no theme so anything goes 🙂
Please do link up below 🙂
and check out my lovely co-host’s flashback here
*NEXT WEEK*
no theme so anything goes 🙂
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Thank you xx
This post really made me laugh Jenny (as well as reminded me about the ‘poo panic’ that most pregnant ladies encounter at some point) A friend told me about the fact that your body often flushes itself out and I remember running out of the toilet in early labour and excitedly telling my husband that I wouldn’t poo when I was pushing. He looked at me like I was insane!
My labour went on for about another 30 hours after that, so I may well have pooed when I pushed, but I’d had an epidural but that point so I have no idea if I did. I do think having a baby sort of means that you check your dignity at the door, despite my worries, when it actually came to giving birth, it didn’t cross my mind and I wouldn’t care if I did. X
Ahhh this was a concern of mine too! Luckily my midwife reassured me by telling me that I probably wouldn’t notice if I did and she was right because I have no idea due to the epidural. Wondering if it will be more noticeable next time though if I manage to do it without pain relief (doubtful). I would like to use a birthing pool but it’s even worse in there as someone has to use a net and fish it out! I just remembered that during my epi-dural I kept farting as I couldn’t feel anything, that was embarrassing enough as I try to never fart in front of dad2babyinsomniac! Cringe! X
Oh that made me giggle reading that! I was also really worried about that, and have no idea if I did or not (I had an epidural). Despite 12 other people in the delivery room, I don’t think I really cared by that point… My sister-in-law was planning to have a water birth (she didn’t in the end) and my brother was instructed to buy a sieve to take to the hospital for the birth! It’s not really surprising it happens, with all that pressure and pushing; it’s probably more common to happen than not!
ps I’ve linked up properly with you now, with your badge and everything!
Hehe – you’ve got me thinking now!! I Can’t even remember if ummm I did or not…I was very very worried I might but some of it is just a hazy memory. I might need to ask the hubby tonight about it 🙂
Aww bless, these things happen I’m sure. Not sure if it did with my probably did. Gorgeous and did make my giggle post x
I love reading birth stories! Esp the ones with poo & other funny things. Lovely linky. x
Awww re-reading mine has made me weepy, I’m doing it all again in about 5/6 weeks 🙂
Even after knowing what you were going poo, I mean, to write and having a laughing fit last night, I still had a laughing fit reading this post.
You are amazing for writing this and I have such respect for poo…I mean you.
It happened to a lot of us…..this is the only place I’ll say that and I will say no more than that! ha! xx
Haha! Loving your honesty. I have no idea whether I pooed or not I just know it all bloody hurt. I do know that baby no 2 pooed all over me and they were so busy in the hospital that I was left poo covered with new baby for about 2 hours! Don’t blame them – there were far more urgent things going on than healthy 2nd time mum and baby with a bit of poo and quite frankly I didn’t care that much!
reading this post made me laugh and remember things I thought I had removed from my memory, so thanks and no, thanks! x
This really made me giggle!!
I have totally poo’ed myself, although they all tried to tell me I hadn’t…
I remember being really worried about this as well, and then when I was in labour I have no recollection of thinking about it or knowing if it happened. Added to that I had a spinal block to no idea if I pushed one out or not! Ah well, never mind.