Do Fetuses Poop Inside The Womb?

Health and Medicine





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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.