I recently found out I am pregnant for the third time, and I am worrying about the birthing process. When I had my first baby, I was given an enema and shaved. With the second, I was told this practice was outdated; so, while I was in the pushing stage of labor, I pushed out several bowel movements before the baby. I was so embarrassed! Now I'm already worrying this will happen again! Does this happen very often with other women, or am I the only one? How can I avoid this scene again?

--Janelle

You must have had your first child a while ago -- I started medical school in 1983, and I've never even seen a woman be shaved or get an enema! These procedures were once considered standard in American hospitals, but no longer.

Pushing out stool during the course of delivery is very common, and you should not be embarrassed about it. As I tell my patients who worry about this, "If you push out a little stool, then I know you're pushing correctly!" Believe me, the only things that will faze your doctor or the nurses is kicking or biting. Urinating, having a bowel movement, or even yelling four-letter words and making threats of bodily harm to your partner who got you into this predicament are par for the course.

Of course, if you are going to be embarrassed beyond belief, and especially if you feel you will not give pushing your all for fear of passing some stool, ask your doctor about taking an enema at home or ask for one at the hospital. Although enemas are no longer routine, if you ask, you can have one.