Introduction
It takes about nine months to develop a healthy baby, but labor usually lasts for a few hours or a day or two. Labor is a unique experience, for the first time or the nth time. It can be over within a few hours or take a day or more. It can test a woman's physical and emotional stamina. Labor starts with the dilation of the cervix, proceeds to the baby's birth, and ends with the delivery of the placenta. Many women are concerned about body fluid and bowel movements during labor despite the pain. However, these are normal and a part of the birthing process.
How Does Labor Pain Feel Like?
Some women use words like cramps, stabbing, aching, throbbing, tightening, or burning type of pain to describe labor pain. However, each woman may feel differently, and there is no one perfect description of labor pain. It can range from mild to severe and varies during each delivery stage. There can be different factors that influence a woman's perception of pain. They may include:
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Strength of contractions.
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Size of the baby.
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Position of the baby in the pelvis.
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The position of the face of the baby.
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Speed of progression of labor.
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Pain tolerance threshold.
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Social and moral support.
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Fear and anxiety.
What Happens During Labor?
The whole process of labor and delivery is divided into three stages.
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First Stage: The first stage begins with the onset of labor and dilation of the cervix. It is further divided into three stages, early, active, and transitional. Early labor is the longest and the least intense phase. The cervix becomes thin and dilates to about 1.57 inches during this stage. The contractions become stronger as the labor progresses to the active stage. The cervix dilates to about 2.76 inches during this stage. The transitional stage is the most intense stage with severe contractions. It is usually short-lived.
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Second Stage: During this stage, the cervix is fully dilated. There is a severe urge to push during this stage. There can be a burning or stinging sensation as the baby's head crowns (when the top of the baby's head is visible through the vagina).
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Third Stage: Delivery of the placenta occurs during this stage. The delivery of the placenta occurs after the delivery of the baby. The tears and cuts that occurred during the delivery were sutured then.
Why Do Bowel Movements Happen During Labor?
The position of the baby in the birth canal is the factor that controls the feel or the pressure during labor. However, certain factors cause bowel movements during the process of labor. They can include:
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Hormones: The elevated hormones in each pregnancy stage can cause the not-so-flattering effect during labor. The release of prostaglandins prepares the cervix for childbirth. It also causes the contraction and relaxation of muscles. This can cause diarrhea before labor, bowel movements during labor, or a combination of both.
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Position of the Baby: Bowel movements also depend on the baby's position before and during the labor. Some baby positions can pressure the colon and sacral nerve, creating a sensation that a bowel movement is imminent. The baby's head pushes against the back in the occipital posterior position. The breech position is where the baby's head or feet point toward the birth canal. The occipital posterior and breech positions cause acute pressure before the labor starts.
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The Act of Pushing: The medical team assisting the delivery encourages the pregnant woman to push. They compare the effort to push during that of passing bowel. This is because the muscles engaged in childbirth (the abdominal and intercostal muscles) also include the muscles involved in defecation. If some stool is present at the end of the colon, it will be pushed out along with the baby due to the pressure exerted. Passing stool happens even if an epidural is given, as the pressure exerted is the same though the birthing woman cannot know it as the area is numb.
Can Bowel Movements Be Prevented During Labor?
Previously, women were given enemas just before birth to clear their colon and rectum. It is a technique used to activate stool removal, clearing the bowel's lower parts. This prevented bowel movements during labor, saving the birthing woman from embarrassment. However, studies show that administering enemas does not reduce the possibility of infection or the risk of perineal tearing. An injury to the vagina and the anus during the birthing process is called a perineal tear. The administration of an enema before the birthing process has no medical benefit and hence is not much encouraged as a pre-requisite for delivery nowadays. When the baby's head forces out through the vagina, an explosive force can be felt, which can cause an overpowering urge to use the toilet. However, it is normal - nature's way of guiding the birthing woman to push the baby out. Hence, it is not a matter of worry or embarrassment. Instead, it is a natural part of the process by which a new human enters the world.
Moreover, the woman will be in much pain and agony, which may not matter now. The midwives and doctors assisting the process are well aware and have no objections to it, as they consider it a part of the norm. After all, priorities change as the situation demands. Another essential thing to consider is to allow only the close relatives or the ones the birthing woman can accept and be accessible to the delivery suite. This makes the mother more comfortable and eases the delivery. The new mother must be made as comfortable as possible, and help to prepare the birthing woman for the most impressive yet tiring and agonizing phase of life in journey to bring the little one to the world.
Conclusion
There can be all kinds of body fluids as a woman pushes the little one into the world. Bowel movements are a part of the magical yet gross process of childbirth. It needs to be accepted, not looked down upon. Priorities change with the heat of the situation. While everyone eagerly awaits to see the face of the newborn, bowel movements are often overlooked or neglected.
