Labouring on the Loo & The Poo Taboo: Why It’s Normal (and Helpful!)

Have You Thought About Comfort in Labour?

Two common worries come up again and again in my antenatal classes in West Lothian:

• How will I stay comfortable and calm during labour?

• Will I poop while giving birth?

They might feel embarrassing, but both are worth talking about. In fact, labouring on the loo can be one of the most effective and comfortable positions you can adopt and passing a “number 2” is often a positive sign that your baby is nearly here.

Photo published with permission from Lauren Rose Photography granted Jan '23

The Toilet: Your “Dilation Station”

Sitting backwards on the toilet mimics a supported squat. It:

• Opens the pelvis to give your baby more space

• Relieves pressure if you’re experiencing backache

• Saves your thigh muscles from holding a squat

• Frees up your birth partner to massage your back or shoulders

Add a pillow on the cistern for comfort, and you’ve created your own “dilation station.”

The Power of Hormones & Gravity

Two key allies in labour are:

• Gravity – being upright helps your baby press down on the cervix, encouraging dilation.

• Oxytocin – the “love hormone” that fuels contractions, progress, and bonding.

Labouring on the loo uses both. And don’t underestimate privacy - bathrooms are often the most private space, helping you relax your pelvic floor and perineum.

But What If I Poo During Labour?

This is one of the biggest anxieties expectant parents share with me. The truth? It’s completely normal.

Here’s why:

• As your baby moves down, their head presses on your rectum, pushing out anything that’s there.

• It’s a sign that birth is close - midwives often see it as a reason to celebrate.

• Midwives discreetly clean up, and often neither you nor your partner even notice.

Far from being embarrassing, it’s simply part of the physiology of birth.

Midwives Don’t Mind

Midwives see pooing, peeing, farting and all the rest as natural bodily functions - just like birth itself. For them, it’s just another day at the office. If anything, it reassures them that things are progressing well.

Pooping = a celebration!

The picture above shows just how close your rectum is to your birth canal which baby has to pass. During labour, if you do poo, it usually isn't due to pushing; rather as your baby moves through the pelvis, their head puts pressure on your rectum and pushes out anything that is there. It is a sign that it won't be long before you meet your baby which is an amazing thing.

Why We Talk About This in My Classes

Since 2007 I’ve supported thousands of families through antenatal education. Questions about pooing in labour come up in nearly every course. My job is to give you evidence-based, judgement-free answers so you can go into labour feeling informed, not anxious.

Joy teaching antenatal class

Final Thoughts

Pooing in labour isn’t something to fear it’s something to reframe. It’s a normal, healthy sign that your body is doing its job and your baby is on their way.

So next time the thought crosses your mind, remember: Gravity, oxytocin and even a trip to the loo might just be your best birth allies.

👉 Want to ask the “embarrassing” questions and get straight, supportive answers? Join my antenatal classes in Linlithgow, supporting families across West Lothian and Central Scotland.