A woman in labor who feels the urge to defecate signifies that she is likely in the pushing stage of labor or very close to it. This sensation occurs because the baby's head is descending into the birth canal, putting pressure on the rectum and stimulating the same muscles used for bowel movements. The urge to poop during labor is a normal and expected sign that the body is preparing to deliver the baby
. This feeling can also be caused by hormonal changes and the baby's position, which can loosen muscles and increase pressure on the rectum. The physical act of pushing during delivery closely resembles having a bowel movement because it engages the same muscles, making pooping during labor common and a sign that the mother is effectively pushing
. In summary, the urge to defecate during labor typically indicates that the baby is descending and the woman is in the active phase of labor, often approaching or in the pushing stage
