Really really embarrassing question about number twos...

[lestyrox]

This is really embarrassing.....
Ever since bubs head has been engaged (since 32 weeks) i've been having trouble when it comes to number twos... Its not the doing them part, thats fine and all is working there but i'm finding that after i do a number two i have to wipe.... A LOT. I mean i nearly go through a whole roll of toilet paper! I find that i feel like i've finished and i'm all done but everytime i wipe there's more on the toilet paper.. its really frustrating because it takes me like 20mins to go to the toilet (before i was preggas it took like 2mins).. not to mention the cost of all the extra loo paper! I think i'm all done and all clean 'back there' and then ill do one more wipe just to be sure and there's heaps there again! Its like i can't quite completely empty my bowels or something. I'm thinking it might be from all the extra pressure..maybe the baby's head is pushing on my rectum???? Its so embarrassing. And its really annoying since i've been going to the toilet a lot more (2-3 times a day) now that labour is right around the corner. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm really hoping its just a pregnancy thing and all will be back to normal after the bub comes... I'm also nervous that things might get a bit messy down there during labour.. eeek!

[Snacks]

Sorry, dunno? You could be right about the pressure - it can play havoc with all your organs, LOL! Could it also be that, if you are going more regularly that they are just softer? And therefore harder to totally get off with the paper? Would it help to use 1 or 2 flushable wet wipes?
Don't worry about mess during labour. No one will care - least of all you!

[Curly]

I'd prefer that to my problem...constipation! I've only got a couple of weeks to go so I'm on Metamucil every day at the moment - I want to be sure I am regular prior to labour because I got constipated after giving birth and bowel movements were pretty traumatic for a few weeks afterwards because I had stitches.

I never got the runs prior to labour so yes, I did a poo during labour. Was a bit embarrassed but the midwives were so matter of fact and quite frankly there was so much else going on I really didn't care. It's actually kind of a good sign...when a labouring woman does a poo, a little baby's head is right behind. They clean it up so quickly, I never saw anything.

[black_rose]

I had the same thing with DD, I ended up carrying a pack of the wet wipes in my bag, you can get little packs now. It made me paranoid, did I get it all and do I smell bad but yes I am back to normal now.

[lestyrox]

Yay thanks Black_rose i'm not the only one! I felt so embarrassed asking but i'm glad i'm not alone. Good idea about the wet ones.. i hadn't thought about that ..derr

Curly- You poor thing constipation is horrible, especially in pregnancy. When i was labouring with DS1 i was soooo paranoid about pooing myself that i was more focussed on that than the pain! Stupid i know lol. This time i'm going to try and relax a bit.. after all like you and snacks said the midwives don't care and i'm sure they've seen it all before.
Ahhh the joys of pregnancy..

[belle75]

Hi lestyrox,
Might be worthwhile trying metamucil/fybogel. Although you are not constipated (fibre works both ways - diarrhoea and constipation), it will help "bind" the stool, so you get complete evacuation and don't have to use more toilet paper because of leakage. May have to take 3 times a day. Although I'm not UTD, I have IBS and have similar issues with my bowel movements. I find Metamucil excellent for this reason. Just a thought. HTH.

[thepixie]

lesty I didn't have this when pg but have noticed it sometimes since giving birth. Thought maybe the sphincter muscles weren't as strong after giving birth or something. Doesn't happen all the time but it's a real PITA when it does happen. Just hoping it will go back to normal soon! Second the metamucil idea, I took heaps when I was pregnant, and I didn't get constipated or have any other problems like that. Still trying to figure out how much to take now I'm not pg though!

[Snacks]

the midwives don't care and i'm sure they've seen it all before

They saw it with me... twice LOL! But yeah, no fuss, just cleared away that bit of plastic and put down another one