Hi IM’s,
Has anyone ever given birth while also having a gastro bug or chronic diarrhea?
I am 26 weeks pregnant and have had explosive diarrhea the entire pregnancy. Like seriously, I haven’t done a solid bowel movement since January! I'm not worried about a poop while pushing type thing, (I've had 2 babies already and I know it's common), I'm just so nervous that when I go into labour I will have the runs involuntarily with every contraction.
Doctor & midwife don’t know what the cause is. I’ve eliminated dairy but it’s made no difference.
I’ve never had a history of this, never had any gut issues, so I’m hoping it’s a part of this pregnancy and will clear up once baby is born.
BUT, I am terrified I will lose bowel control during labour, (I’m already at the run-to-the-toilet up to 10 times a day stage), and I really don’t want it to be a (very literal) shit show!!!
I’d love to hear if anyone has gone through this sort of thing and how you managed your birth?
4 Replies
Everyone poops during birth, the midwives will clean you up don’t stress :)
I had surgery a few months ago, and my sister was a nurse at the hospital and she was told by her friend who was the nurse during my surgery and apparently I had a bowel
Movement during surgery, they cleaned me up, and I wouldn’t have known if my sister hadn’t told me :)
I never, ever get bowel issues but get diarrhoea with more progesterone in my system - so if I take Depo or get Implanon I get the runs terribly. Your progesterone levels go up in your body in each stage of pregnancy, and some women are given progesterone pessaries or supplements if they have issues with keeping a pregnancy - maybe that's it?
I got the runs very badly just before going into labour (and ended up needing a c-section anyway), and lots of women do have a "clean out" pre labour. You could ask your midwife or doctor what might be ok to do or take leading up to the birth, if you're feeling anxious.
I had loose bowel movements most of the way through both of my pregnancies, and honestly that’s how I knew I was pregnant with my youngest. It wasn’t until the last few weeks that I tended more towards constipation. My doctor said everyone’s different and not to worry unless I was becoming dehydrated.
Maybe try to give birth in the shower?