Will You Poop During Labor? Here’s the Truth (From an L&D Nurse)

Let’s Talk About It 🤍

If you’ve ever thought…
“What if I poop during delivery?”

You are not alone.

In fact, this is one of the most common fears I hear from moms as a Labor & Delivery nurse.

And I get it—it feels embarrassing to even think about. But here’s the honest truth:

👉 Yes, it can happen.
👉 And it’s completely normal.

Not sure what to expect during labor or what questions to ask your OB?

I put together a simple checklist of what I’d have ready as an L&D nurse so you can feel more prepared going into delivery.

👉 Grab it here before your next appointment

Why Pooping During Labor Happens

During the pushing stage of labor, you’re using the exact same muscles you use to have a bowel movement.

So when you’re pushing effectively, there’s a good chance something else might happen too.

And here’s the part most people don’t tell you:

👉 If it happens, it usually means you’re pushing the right way.

From an L&D Nurse: What Actually Happens in the Room

After 11+ years as a Labor & Delivery nurse, I can tell you this with complete honesty:

It happens more often than not

It’s handled quickly and discreetly

Most moms don’t even realize it happened

Your nurse will simply:

clean it up

continue supporting you

keep everything moving

No announcements. No awkward moments. No judgment.

Let Me Reassure You (Because This Matters)

Your nurse is not:
❌ grossed out
❌ judging you
❌ even focused on it

To us, it’s just part of labor—like contractions, pushing, and everything else that comes with it.

What we are focused on is:
👉 your baby
👉 your safety
👉 helping you push effectively

What You Can Do (If You’re Worried About It)

You don’t need to stress about this—but if it’s on your mind:

Try to use the bathroom early in labor if you can

Stay hydrated

Focus on pushing, not holding back

👉 The worst thing you can do is hold back out of fear—it can actually make pushing less effective.

This Is Your Baby’s Birthday 🤍

In that moment, none of this will matter.

You’ll be focused on:

meeting your baby

getting through contractions

pushing with everything you’ve got

And I promise you—your care team is focused on the same thing.

💡 Why Knowing What’s Normal Changes Everything

This is one of those things no one really talks about…

But it’s also why moms often feel caught off guard in labor.

When you understand what’s normal:
👉 you feel more confident
👉 you feel less anxious
👉 you can focus on what actually matters

📝 Want a Simple Birth Plan That Actually Makes Sense?

If you’re preparing for labor, having a clear, realistic birth plan can make a huge difference—especially one that your care team will actually respect and follow.

I created a simple birth plan template based on what I’ve seen work best as an L&D nurse (and what doesn’t).

👉 Grab your birth plan template here

🎯 Want to Feel Fully Prepared for Labor?

If you’re someone who wants to feel confident walking into labor—not overwhelmed—I put everything together in one place.

Inside, I cover:

what to expect during induction

when C-sections are recommended

the exact questions to ask your provider

how to advocate for yourself

Trust me, you'll want this printed out on your hospital bedside table.

👉 Get the full Birth Prep Bundle here

Final Thoughts

If you take anything away from this, let it be this:

👉 Pooping during labor is normal
👉 It’s handled professionally and discreetly
👉 And it means your body is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do

You don’t need to be perfect.
You just need to show up—and your body will do the rest 🤍