“What if I fart while I’m pushing?"

“Oh, but my darling, what if you poop?”

We get it. 

Pooping in front of people sounds like the kind of nightmare most of us would like to avoid. 
But what if we told you pooping and farting in labor and delivery is something your nurses and doulas will cheer about?

Having a bowel movement or passing gas when there is a baby low in your birth canal makes sense because real estate is scarce. Not only is your baby getting a good squeeze but your bowels are too. We see flatulence and pooping as a positive sign you are nearing the end of labor. 

It means you’re pushing just the way we need you to!

It means you’re almost done!

If you’re feeling embarrassed by this possibility, please know your nurse/midwife/provider has your back(side) and they’ll clean it away before you even notice that you’ve pooped.

We guarantee you’ll hear your team say, “I want you to push like you’re pooping," multiple times throughout the pushing and delivery portion of your birth.

It’s okay if you don’t have the pushing thing figured out on your first go and it's also okay if you poop (or if you don't). If you have some nerves about feeling so exposed and vulnerable, just remember no one is judging you in this moment. They’re simply there to get your baby here safely and support you along the way.