Strange question about poop - TMI!

[dianna11]

Alright, you have been warned!
I'm asking this here because my midwife appointment was bumped until next week because she's attending a birth - and partially, I'm not wanting to ask this question to anyone in person (even though my midwife has *seen it all* with my first birth)...

With my first pregnancy, I was massively constipated, but this time, WOAH, it's WAY opposite. I'm going at least twice a day, and it's quite....loose :


So here's my question...does that somehow make the baby in danger of being a little more relaxed in the bowels? I'm concerned about possibly having a meconium issue earlier?!

Does this make any sense at all, or am I being completely out to lunch? Would there be anything to worry about here?

[nashvillemidwife]

Have you changed anything since your last pregnancy? Diet, exercise, water?

[thixle]

Not a birth professional, but I do have a lot of poop experience (I have Crohn's). Your post made me laugh so hard! Not at you, with you- I had crazy fears like that, too!

Twice a day is totally normal, and definately not going to cause issues with the baby/meconium (unless you've been taking something that could pass over to the baby, like laxatives)... Just keep hydrated- that would be the only real worry with pooping loosely! You could also take some fiber suppliments (like metamucil) to "bulk up" your poo- it slows things down and gives your intestines more time to absorb everything, including water.

[dianna11]

Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife

Have you changed anything since your last pregnancy? Diet, exercise, water?

Not really - I'm drinking less water, but that's just because I was drinking too much (5 litres). I'm drinking about 3litres / day now. I find that kiwis generally help things 'move' a little more frequently for me, and I am eating one a day. Exercise is the same (walking about 8km/day, weights, pilates, etc.)

It's certainly nothing that I wasn't doing already before I was pregnant this time.

[dianna11]

Originally Posted by thixle

Not a birth professional, but I do have a lot of poop experience (I have Crohn's). Your post made me laugh so hard! Not at you, with you- I had crazy fears like that, too!

Twice a day is totally normal, and definately not going to cause issues with the baby/meconium (unless you've been taking something that could pass over to the baby, like laxatives)... Just keep hydrated- that would be the only real worry with pooping loosely! You could also take some fiber suppliments (like metamucil) to "bulk up" your poo- it slows things down and gives your intestines more time to absorb everything, including water.

Oh wow, I get TONS of fiber in my diet already, aside from fruit & veggies, I eat oat bran, oat meal, whole grain bread and rice. I would be a little affraid to add a fiber supplement in addition!

No laxatives or anything - I was >< this close to resorting to it during my last pregnancy until my midwife introduced me to papayas

[nashvillemidwife]

Originally Posted by dianna11

It's certainly nothing that I wasn't doing already before I was pregnant this time.

That answers the question for me. It's not related to the pregnancy and it's normal for you. Your baby is in no danger.

[dianna11]

Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife

That answers the question for me. It's not related to the pregnancy and it's normal for you. Your baby is in no danger.

Well that's the weird part, I have NEVER been this regular! Just as my previous pregnancy made me incredibly constipated, this one is making me really.... loose That's definitely not normal for me, and it started with the pregnancy. I know progesterone slows things down, but since I have been pregnant, my bowels have been moving at lightning speed
(again

[nashvillemidwife]

Ok, I misunderstood you. But I still don't think it will affect your baby.