Stool sample : the nitty gritty

My new GI doctor has prescribed stool analyses from two different labs: I have to bring the samples in from home for both, and for one I’ll have to collect the sample while at the lab.

I don’t quite see myself defecating into a tiny container (I worry I’ll miss!) and I’m wondering if you have advice on how to collect the sample: do you defecate over a larger container, then use some kind of utensil (if so, what?) to collect the size they need (I was instructed to bring in a “mandarin-sized” sample)?

And doing this in the privacy of my own bathroom is one thing, but I’m a bit anxious about doing the same at the lab. Any advice/tips appreciated!

Thank you.

I was given a plastic, inverted bowl/hat-like collection helper that goes on top of the toilet seat. You poop into it, and then transfer into the vials with the provided aid. My kit looked like this (hat, vial, and transfer):
www.fiddledeedee.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Specimen.jpg

Ask your doctor for it all, if they forgot to give you all of the needed pieces.

I've always received a hat. I think i might miss if they didn't give me one. Once when I was in the hospital, the nurse did everything, all I had to do was poo. Maybe that will be the case if you have to do it at the facility. How big is a mandarin anyway? I would have no clue, if they want a golf ball or something, they better keep dreaming, i can't promise that, definitely not anything in that sort of shape. Seriously, could they pick a more vague, random fruit? Kumquat size please, haha.

I'm in Europe as well and I never have been given a 'hat.' What I get a small plastic jar that would be impossible to 'catch' a sample in. Rather, I use saran wrap stretched over the ceramic bowel of the toilet and firmly adhered to the sides. I make sure it droops down a bit to allow space for 'things' and make sure it only covers the rearmost 2/3 - that way any pee can go directly into the bowel. Then I use a tongue depressor to put some 'sample' into the container. You might have to do this a few times to get it perfect but it can become so routine that collecting samples will never be a problem.

Another description is here: http://www.harrisoncountyhealth.com/food_poisoning.htm

Note that there's an image on this page of a small plastic garbage container with a plastic bag in it - if nothing else, that'll do the trick.

i've always been given the plastic hats but i'm thinking you could just stick a plastic bowl on top of the toilet water so it floats. just poop in there and use a plastic spoon to put it in the jar.