You've read every pregnancy book you can get your hands on and feel so well prepared for giving birth.  Then your best friend drops this bombshell, "Ugh, it was so embarrassing when I started pushing and then pooped right there on the bed!"
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​This won't actually happen - all of us in the birth field have seen it many times.  As for your partner, show them this blog post so they have the heads up too and demand that they act cool when it happens.
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If you take a look at the anatomy of a pregnant person, it's easy to see why poop happens.  As the baby's head descends into the vagina, it tightly squeezes it's neighbour, the rectum.  It's inevitable that any contents would squeeze out and that's a good thing because the sooner you can release your bowels, the more room the baby gets to pass through.  Sometimes the poop will continuously creep out with each contraction.  Don't worry, your nurse will discreetly wipe it away without a word.

Nobody has ever made it through months of pregnancy without PLENTY of trips to go pee... and labour is no different.  Sometimes it's hard to notice the urge to pee with the intensity of contractions, but it's important to keep trying regardless.  Full bladders can impede labour because of how close to the cervix and vagina they are.  A good rule of thumb is to empty your bladder every hour.  The toilet is also a wonderful place to labour because your pelvis actually opens wider in this position, once again making more room for baby.  It's also a great place to start pushing (particularly if you're having difficulty relaxing your pelvic floor), since our mind is so programmed to let go when seated on the toilet.  Don't worry, it usually takes many, many pushes until the baby arrives and the nurses/midwives/doctors will get you to move before you give birth on the toilet!
If you have difficulty urinating, it may become necessary to have your bladder drained via catheter.  It's usually quick, easy and painless.  The nurse or midwife would insert a soft, small tube into your urethra and the urine simply drains into a basin.  

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​Let's face it: lots of stuff is going to come out of your vagina before the baby does.  It starts at the very beginning of your body preparing for labour when you pass the mucous plug.  That's the clear, slippery, thicker goop that usually comes out when you're using the washroom.  Often it has a minor blood tinge to it (either pink or brown).  This is often one of the first indicators that labour is starting soon.
As the cervix dilates, blood usually makes an appearance - not in period like quantities (if this happens, it's an emergency so seek medical treatment immediately), but probably enough to warrant putting a pad on.  
At some point, your water will break (the amniotic sac).  It can slowly trickle out, or burst in a huge splash!  Labour usually intensifies shortly after with the baby's head pushing directly on the cervix .  If you haven't had any contractions yet, sometimes it takes awhile after the water breaks and if it takes too long, you may be encouraged to have an induction.  The fluid should be clear and odorless - any funky smells or colours should be checked out immediately by your care provider.

Another icky thing to deal with comes the other way: vomiting.  Some people experience it at the beginning, some all the way through and many do especially at transition.  This is when the big hormone shift happens, you start feeling hot and cold, trembling, shivering and often nauseous.  Don't be surprised if your doula, nurses, midwife or doctor gets excited when you announce the need to throw up - it often means you're nearing the end!
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Are you thinking that all of this sounds just awful and embarrassing?  Don't dwell on it, honestly once labour kicks in full force, you are in such a zone that most of these things don't even phase you.  Your doctor, midwife, nurse and doula have seen this many times (if not every time!) and will carry on as usual.  Don't alter your drinking or eating habits to try avoid this happening - it's so important to stay well hydrated and to have plenty of energy to sustain the marathon of labour.  

If you are looking for comprehensive prenatal classes in Calgary (where we teach all of this nitty, gritty stuff), please get in touch with us to book private prenatal classes or to find out when and where our next group prenatal classes are.

And as always, if you would like a professional doula who will offer you nothing but the best support throughout pregnancy and birth, click here to book an interview.

Our last blog post talked about the options for maternity caregivers in Calgary and expressed the importance of making an early decision. Choosing how and where you want to birth goes hand in hand with the type of caregiver you have. As stated in that post, if you wish to have a water birth, home birth or have your baby at the birth centre, you will require a midwife to achieve this. If none of those things are on your wish list, your options are to either chose a midwife or a doctor and birth at one of the area hospitals. If you want to birth at a certain hospital, you will need to look for a clinic that takes self-referrals or make sure your family doctor sends you in the right direction. Catch up on the details on our last blog ​here.

***Updated Oct 12/2021***
Covid restrictions may make limit support people or some services. Check with your doctor, midwife or with the location directly for confirmation.


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Finding out you’re pregnant can be one of the most exciting, yet nerve wracking times of your life.  There are so many things to consider!  What colour will we paint the baby’s room?  What is the safest car seat?  We need to research the best stroller, crib, video monitor and diaper pail!  Arrrgghhhh – how will we ever choose the perfect name?!?

Unfortunately, in those early days, many families do not think about how and where they want to birth until much later on.  In the Calgary area, that delay can result in taking many options off the table.

To better understand, let’s take a look at the three types of caregivers available to us, along with the philosophies and type of care you can expect from each:

                                           Midwives

Newsflash!  Today’s midwives are not voodoo witch doctors delivering babies of hippies!  To become a midwife in Canada involves taking a 4 year university program specializing in low risk pregnancy and birth.  If complications develop at any stage of your care, you would need to be transferred to a doctor and while they are careful to transfer care before an emergency arises, they do carry all kinds of medical equipment for resuscitation, etc. should that become necessary. Their care is very woman centred, with you being the one in charge of the decisions.  Prenatal appointments are often long enough to answer all of your questions without feeling rushed (you could expect your appointment to last between 30 min to an hour).

They do tend to have a more natural style, so would not be right for someone who desires a more medical approach.  They are the ONLY care providers to attend births outside of a hospital (as in at home or a birth centre) and also the only ones who support waterbirth.  They have hospital privileges at all four Calgary hospitals if that’s where you prefer to be.  Depending on the practice, most midwives work in tandem or teams of 4, sharing call time.  During labour, one midwife will oversee most of your care with an additional midwife called in for the actual birth so that one can attend to the mother and the other to the baby.
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So as you can see, your care and birth can look quite different dependent on which caregiver you choose. If your dream was to birth your baby in one of the fancy tubs at the birth centre, you would need a midwife.  They book up extremely fast!  My joke is that after peeing on the pregnancy test stick and seeing a positive result, you should call and book the midwife before telling your partner, parents or BFF!

Pro tip: Ask to be put on a waiting list if the midwives are full as spots sometimes open up even in late pregnancy

Alternatively, if you would feel the most secure utilizing using a more medical approach, you will want to get on board with the best maternity clinics or obstetricians early as they are swamped too.  While your family doctor might look after you in early pregnancy, they will often transfer your care some time in the second trimester.  They usually have a certain group they refer to and most if not all doctors have privileges at only one hospital.

Pro tip:  Some clinics take self referrals.  If you have a preference to birth at a certain hospital, make sure you are in the right stream to land up there.  For example, if you wish to birth at Foothills, but your doctor is in SW Calgary, chances are you will be referred to a clinic with privileges at Rockyview.


Whichever way you decide to birth, consider adding a doula to the mix.  Having someone there to support you through birth, always ready to comfort and encourage you on can be one of the best things you do for yourself.  Your partner will thank you too!  Contact us for the best doulas in Calgary!

Please know that just as in ANY profession, there are wonderful and not-so-wonderful caregivers in each category.  I don’t believe all midwives are nothing but unicorns and rainbows, nor am I anti-doctor.  These are silly myths that for some reason exist in our profession.  I have enjoyed the privilege of supporting my clients under the care of each of them!  And you can bet your bottom dollar that no matter who you choose, I will diligently and harmoniously work alongside them to provide you with the best birth experience.

You may wonder why so much fuss about how you give birth?  All that matters in the end is that you have a healthy mom and healthy baby, right?  True.  But you must acknowledge that a healthy mom includes her emotional well-being.  As quoted from birthtalk.org, “The aim of ‘healthy mother, healthy baby’ must include the mother’s emotional health.  Why?  Because our emotional health affects how we parent.  How we relate to our partner.  How we feel about ourselves.  It can affect everything.  Emotional health in childbirth matters.”

Stay tuned for part 2 where locations to give birth in Calgary will be discussed!
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