What to Know About Pooping During Labor

Let’s just get it out of the way: Yes, you might poop during labor. And no, it doesn’t make you a cautionary tale—it makes you a perfectly normal human giving birth. Congratulations!

If the thought of pooping during labor has crossed your mind (probably more than once), you’re in good company. This is hands down one of the most common fears moms have leading up to birth—right up there with tearing and wondering if your water will break dramatically in the middle of Target. 

Here’s the truth: pooping during labor isn’t gross, it isn’t shameful, and it’s definitely not something to lose sleep over. In fact, it’s often a sign that things are progressing exactly as they should. 

In this article, we’ll break down exactly why it happens, who notices (hint: not you), and how to stop worrying about something that’s literally part of the process.

Yes, pooping during labor is totally normal

Let’s normalize it: 💩 happens during labor. In fact, it’s a good sign! Those same muscles that bring baby into the world might also bring out a little poop—and your nurses have seen it all. You’re not the first and certainly won't be the last.

Just how common is pooping during labor?

Very. It happens to most birthing mamas—especially during the pushing stage. You’re using the same muscles to push out your baby as you use to, well, push out a bowel movement. So it’s totally expected and natural.

In fact, your delivery team might be quietly celebrating it as a sign you’re pushing effectively 🥳 Plus, you probably won't even realize it happened! 

Why do you poop during labor?

You see, It basically comes down to two things: anatomy and pressure.

As baby moves down the birth canal, they put pressure on your rectum from the inside. That pressure, plus the pushing efforts from your abdominal muscles, often leads to a little (or not-so-little) bowel movement. 

I always told my patients, “If there’s poop in there and you are pushing effectively, it’s going to come out.” And it’s true! You have a big ole noggin’ pushing down on your bum hole, it’s completely out of your control, mama.

Your delivery team has seen it all

We mean this with love but believe me! You are not the first, the worst, or the grossest patient we have encountered. L&D nurses, midwives, and OBGYNs witness this all the time. It’s literally part of our job.

If you do poop while pushing, we’ll handle it quickly, discreetly, and professionally. Most likely, you or your partner won’t even notice—it’ll be cleaned up before you can say “Did I just p...?”

Labor and delivery professionals are trained to keep you focused on what matters most: bringing your baby into the world safely and confidently!

How to avoid pooping during labor: is it possible?

There’s no surefire way to prevent pooping during labor—and trying too hard to avoid it can actually backfire.

Some women ask about enemas or fasting before birth, but these aren’t typically recommended unless there’s a medical reason. Labor is a marathon, not a sprint. You need all the energy you can get so please, please don’t deprive yourself of nutrients leading up to and in early labor.

Instead of trying to stop the poop, it’s much healthier (and way less stressful) to reframe how you think about it. This is just a part of what your amazing body is doing to birth your baby.

But is it worth the stress?

The short answer is no! I don’t know about you but not much sounds worse than self induced diarrhea at 39 or 40 weeks pregnant. Save yourself the trouble (and the diarrhea) and let your body just do its thing on the big day!

What If I'm Embarrassed About Pooping in Front of My Partner?

You are not alone. It’s super common to feel self-conscious about this, especially if it’s your first birth. But let’s explore why this isn’t something you should lose sleep over.

Why your partner won’t care, really!

We get it—the thought of pooping in front of your partner can feel downright mortifying. It's not exactly the romantic image most people associate with labor and birth. But here’s the truth: your partner is likely to be more amazed by your strength, focus, and vulnerability than concerned about a little bodily function.

How to set boundaries or have that conversation

If this is on your mind, talk about it in advance. Let your partner know how you feel and what would help—whether that’s humor, privacy, or simply staying near your head during pushing. It’s totally okay to set boundaries or share your feelings. You can say something like:

“I know this might sound silly to you, but I’m nervous about pooping during labor. If it happens, I’d rather not know, and I’d love your support in staying cool about it.”

Most partners respond with reassurance and love—and many come out of birth feeling even more connected and amazed by you. You are a total rockstar after all!

Tips for maintaining privacy (if you want it)

Want more privacy? That’s okay too! You can request that your partner stay by your head during pushing or ask a nurse to help manage the moment discreetly (definitely not our first rodeo!) This is your birth, mama—you get to call the shots!

Stories from real mamas who pooped and survived 🫶

Still feeling unsure? Let’s hear from some real-life moms who’ve been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale—with zero shame and often a lot of laughs.

These mamas shared their stories with us (and trust us—they are SO not alone!):

💬 “I didn’t even know it happened until after”

“My nurse was amazing. She cleaned it up without making a big deal, and I was none the wiser. My husband didn’t mention anything until days later when I asked—he said it was the least memorable part of the whole experience!”

💬 “My nurse was a total pro and made me feel so comfortable”

“Before pushing started, I told my nurse I was worried about pooping. She smiled and said, ‘That means you’re pushing in the right spot.’ When it did happen, she handled it like a ninja. I felt completely heard and supported.”

💬 “Honestly, I could’ve cared less once labor started”

“All my fears disappeared once contractions got intense. At that point, poop was the last thing on my mind. I was just trying to breathe, push, and get through it. Later, I found out I did poop—but I felt proud, not embarrassed. My body was working hard!”

💬“It made my birth partner MORE impressed, not less”

“I was so worried about grossing out my partner. But after birth, he told me watching me go through labor—and everything that came with it—made him respect me on a whole new level.”

These mamas didn’t just poop during labor—they conquered labor. The poop? A side note. What really mattered was their strength, resilience, and the incredible moment they met their babies.

You might poop during labor, too. But you’ll also push through pain, trust your body, and bring life into the world. And that? That’s unforgettable.

Poop happens…and that’s okay!

Labor is raw, real, and deeply human. And yes, sometimes that includes poop. Pooping during labor is not failure, it’s not gross, and it’s definitely not something to be ashamed of. It’s biology. It’s birth. It’s your strong, powerful body doing exactly what it needs to bring your baby into the world.

The best thing you can do is let go of shame and focus on what really matters: trusting your body, leaning into the experience, and meeting your sweet baby. ❤️

You’ll laugh about it later—we promise. Poop might feel like a big deal now, but down the road? It’ll be the kind of thing you laugh about during playdates or whisper to your bestie when she’s pregnant. It becomes part of your story—and not the part that defines it.

Final Thought 💛

​​So mama, if you poop during labor, let it be a sign that your body is showing up and doing its thing. You are strong. You are normal. You are giving birth—and that’s something to be proud of, every messy, magical second of it.

Poop happens. Birth happens. Babies happen. And you? You are a total rockstar 🌟