When I was pregnant with my first child, one of my real fears was that I would poop during delivery. This worry was seriously anxiety inducing. Thankfully, that didn't happen, but once my son was born, I realized I had a new poop-related fear: what it would be like to do number two after having a long labor and a few stitches? Oh no!

Thankfully, my nurses were insistent that I start a routine of stool softeners and staying hydrated after I delivered. When the dreaded event finally happened -- at home, five days later! -- it was shockingly impressive in terms of output but surprisingly not that painful.

And I just need to emphasize the amount of relief I felt having passed that extremely harrowing postpartum hurdle was HIGH. Really, really HIGH. And it didn't even hurt!

I always like sharing stories and comparing notes with other moms, especially on TMI topics like poop, so read on for 12 more stories about the highs and lows of surviving the first poop after baby. We can all be so glad we weren't mom No. 8!

first poop after childbirth