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Original poster

Talk to me about enemas...necessary pre ELCS?

17 replies

TheMummyAbroad · 27/10/2011 13:08

Not the most fun topic of conversations I know Hmm

I am in Costa Rica and yesterday started going over plans with my doctor for my c -section planned for Nov 1st. Apparently I have to do a home enema the night before. Is this common practice in the UK? I am a bit Shock at the idea and feeling squeemish.

and errr.. any tips?

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WhereDidAllThePuffinsGo · 27/10/2011 13:14

Eeewww. No. I've had 3 cs in the UK, and no, no enemas.

MotherPanda · 27/10/2011 13:15

No enemas for a vaginal delivery or a cs, quite out of date now.

callow · 27/10/2011 13:17

No enemas are given before a c-section in the UK.

You could lie and say you did it but it didn't work well.

I can't see the reason for it anyway. If you did the enema the night before and it worked the lower part of your bowel would be empty but during the night the bowel would continue working and move faeces into the empty part. It just defeats the purpose.

MrsKwooooHaHaHaAzii · 27/10/2011 13:20

Nope, didn't have that for my ELCS. Seems very outdated.

KatAndKit · 27/10/2011 13:31

as far as I am aware enemas are not standard UK practise for any sort of delivery these days. Did they used to do them in the old days over here?

MotherPanda · 27/10/2011 13:37

yes, apparently you used to get them before a vaginal delivery not sure about cs though. it was during that time when hospitals took over and made women feel unable to give birth - think things are a lot more hands off now, even with a cs.

Congratulations and good luck by the way!

QTPie · 27/10/2011 13:53

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

KatAndKit · 27/10/2011 13:55

Maybe they thought if they gave you an enema before hand then you wouldn't poo yourself during the birth? They used to shave pubic hair for no good reason as standard procedure too didn't they? Imagine the itching afterwards!

Original poster
TheMummyAbroad · 27/10/2011 14:56

ooh thats interesting a resounding "no" from everyone... I may well take callow's advice and cheat. Wink

OP posts:
squinker45 · 27/10/2011 15:57

I would have appreciated an enema before my vb. it was gross. Can't see the point of one before a cs though?

Original poster
TheMummyAbroad · 27/10/2011 19:55

Yeah, I dont get the logic of it either..maybe its to do with what happens after the cs? Anyone know if poo problems are normal post CS?

OP posts:
schmee · 27/10/2011 21:53

You can get a paralytic illeus post csection which is when your bowel stops working. I think because they shift your insides around during the op. I had to remember the breathing techniques from my first antenatal classes and genuinely thought I might need stitches when the bowel started working again on around about day 12. I don't think an enema beforehand would necessarily have helped though.

Original poster
TheMummyAbroad · 28/10/2011 00:14

Day 12? Yikes. I took me about a week to go after a VB last time, and I thought that was bad.

OP posts:
frutilla · 28/10/2011 00:20

I'm in Latin America and have had 2 sections, no enemas. With second I didn't have a catheter either and it was fine...

frutilla · 28/10/2011 00:21

Oh, mistake, only second section was planned (overdue and no induction for vbac where I am).

Highlander · 28/10/2011 14:53

No, very out of date.

I pooed as normal the next day.

Eat a healthy diet, rich in soluble fibre and you'll have no probs.

schmee · 28/10/2011 20:05

Highlander - that's not strictly true... But OP I'm sure you'll be fine.

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