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healthHealth and Medicine

Do Fetuses Poop Inside The Womb?

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Danielle Andrew

Editorial Intern

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2098 Do Fetuses Poop Inside The Womb?
Mother showing her ultrasound. Samuel Borges Photography/Shutterstock

The short answer? No, while in the womb, a fetus doesn't poop – although it does pee.

However, some waste does accumulate in its lower intestine throughout the pregnancy, which is a result of nutrients received from the mother via the umbilical chord. Called meconium, the fetus does not poop this while in the womb.

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The fetus will excrete this sticky, greenish waste shortly after birth. In rare cases, due to distress during pregnancy, the fetus will release its waste while still in utero – potentially resulting in meconium aspiration syndrome, which can be very dangerous for the baby if it inhales the mix of fluid and poop.

Take a look at MinuteEarth's video explaining more.

 

 

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