But what does everyone do to NOT...well....poop while pushing?? Happened with both my boys, and with DS#2 I refused to give it an honest effort BECAUSE I didn't want to poop!!

Now this baby will be born at home, hopefully in the water, and I DON'T want this to happen again!! Castor oil? I also don't want to have the runs while in full on labour....that would NOT be nice. Ack!! What to do?? Most say "don't worry about it", but I just AM!!

I thought about this as well, especially with my last birth (I didn't want to have any "floaters" in the birth pool!). I actually ended up going a lot in early labor, so it wasn't an issue for me. Honestly, when it comes down to it, you won't care. Just have your DH keep a fish net on hand (recommended for waterbirths for this very reason), but really, try not to worry too much about it. Your body might just clean itself out naturally.

Btw, I had no idea you were planning a homebirth! That is so exciting! Best of luck-can't wait to hear all about it!

I have no great advice for you.  Just wanted to say good luck (with the homebirth and not pooping ).  I want a homebirth next time around. 

Honestly with dd#1 I didn't even think of the poop issue but did poop while pushing.  With dd#2 I didn't really worry about it as I felt the nurses have seen it all anyway.  I didn't poop with her though.   

I have been watching your posts & reading along the way & just wanted to say GL with it all. I cant wait to see & hear all about the arrival of your baby girl.

As for the poop. I always get the runs a day before I give birth..not sure why but I guess my body clears everything out lol.I havent pooped while giving birth but if I did I dont think I would care at time. The midwifes have seen it all. Maybe eat soft foods that are easily digested beforehand?xo

My dh teased me about this (in a nice way) with ds1 so there was no way I wanted to do it agian with ds2. I managed not to but have no idea how. I got out of the tub often though to sit on the  lou it was just more relaxing for me at times. He wasn't delievered in water though, that part didn't work out for me. I would just listen to your body as much as possible  and do not push until you  have too. Because even if you are 10cm doesn't always mean you need to push, let the baby move down a little on their own so you don't strain. Then there  won't be as  much  of a chance to poo kwim?

Thanks ladies. I know it is a stupid thing to worry about, but honestly with DS#2 this is what STOPPED me from pushing! Through all the pain (no drugs) and what not.....I was worried about the poop!! Dr, nurses and interns had their hands, heads and what not up my crotch the whole time...and yet I was worried about the poop. I could ahve torn stem to stern like I did with DS#1...and I was worried about the poop! Seriously, I have issues with poop!! I could care less about everyone elses bodily functions, but for some reason I just can't get past the ME pooping part! Well, this is the last baby so I guess I won't have to worry about it much longer! LOL!!

I'm going to ask my midwife for some ideas though. I need the piece of mind or I might go bananas! Really, there are children dieing and going hungry in the world...and I'm worried about poop.  

hey HM my midwife suggests an enema in early labor to her mommys who are worried about poop.

oh sheesh! brings back embarassing memories for me..hehe, So yeah I pooped with DC#1 but with Dc#2, I was hell bent finding a way to not do it again, and except for Anema, no one seemed to have an answer.....What I did end up doing was decreasing my solid intake a LOT the week of due date and just sipping juice and smoothies(btw great for runs)....worked like a charm and didnt poop while pushing!

 I thought there was a type of pill or something that  could be taken when labor starts to empty our your system? Not sure of the name at all, but my mom talked about it...I can ask her. Maybe it's this "enema" that the others are saying.