Enema

[skiingone]

Just wondering after reading all these stories about pooing during labour. To save at least some dignity during labour, why can't one get an enema sometime after the waters break and after you arrive at the hospital ( provided there is time)? And then get on with the rest. Wouldn't this be reasonable and you wouldn't have to to poo during labour when pushing?
I might not understand how things work as this is my first time, but just wanted to know if this makes sense.

pooing during labour is no big deal. You may not even be aware of it since the midwives tend to just whip away the evidence immediately.

I have never experienced an enema, but I imagine that anything which would require you to stay in one position (either during the fluid going in, or when the products come out again!) can be contrary to what you actually want during contractions.

They used to be administered routinely but that stopped - I would be interested to know the actual reasoning behind it!

Your body takes over when you are in labour and you do go to the toilet for a humungous poo before you deliver, quite early on (sorry if this is TMI but you did ask). Sometimes a small amount comes out during delivery but this is normal and happens to most mothers, the midwives see this all the time so I really wouldn't worry.

if you do poo in labour you won't notice/care

believe me it will be the LAST thing on your mind

They do this in Belgium and in other countries, but it's considered very old fashioned in Britain. Not every woman poos during labour, and many women would feel very uncomfortable at the thought of using an enema during labour.

You can always buy your own enemas, you can get very small ones which are more comfortable then larger ones, and use it if you wish at the start of labour if you think it will make you feel more comfortable.

Having said that, obviously there is nothing wrong with pooing during child birth, the midwives are well used to dealing with it discreetly and you have absolutely nothing to feel embarrassed about if this happens to you.

It's like diarhhoea by the way only more.

getting an enema would be FAR more horrific than pooing during labour! believe me! i used to have to give them, and it's not very pleasant for the patient seemingly if you poo during labour it's a good indicator that you are pushing well!! anyway they don't tell you have done it so fear not!!

Quite common to get diarrhoea just before you go into labour - I did anyway, my body had a good old clear-out!

I'd hate to think what would happen if I had an enema on top of that.

My mum shudders at the days when enemas and a full shave were standard in our hospitals.

An enema doesn't stop you pooing in labour - it simpally makes it all runny and difficult to manage in comparison to 'normal' poo.

It's really common for people to worry about this before labour but I'd truly encourage you during to listen to your body and not get caught up with your inhibitions and hope that those caring for you promote the right kind of atmosphere so this is possible.

M

I don't think having an enema is very dignified. I would rather risk a poo!!

I had a tiny poo during childbirth - I had no idea till dh told me later.
When mum had me, it was the norm to have an enema - barbaric imho. You do not need a tube hoved up your arse or shit-producign meds on top of everything else you go through during labour. Jeezo, you feel like your inards are coming out. It is not meant to be a dignified, clean experience - get over it.

Sorry, that 'get over it' wAS a bit harsh - don't mean it in a mean way, honest! I just get a bit annoyed at our society's obsession with sanitising everything. SOmetimes life is messy.

I pooed during natural birth of DS1. Am still mortified to this day, as I'm famously shy about things like this (I never have gone to the loo in front of DH).

DS2 was an elective CS (medical reasons). The night before, a lovely nurse gave me an enema. Now, bear in mind I'm in Germany, where every midwife check involves an internal, I wasn't the least bit surprised, but I've yet to understand why it was necessary...

Thanks girls

I guess will just have to deal with it when it all happens...and hopefully forget about it when it's over.

Don't understand the need for an enema, are pregnant women not allowed suppositories? I use these whenever I get constipated and everything comes out in five minutes.

Not sure if allowed in pregnancy/ childbirth or not.

Hi, I practised as a nurse at labour ward while I was studying and we were always giving enemas (it was just clean warm water) to women who were at the first stages of labour (there was time for that). I was taught that full bowels or urinary bladder can greatly slow birth.
I my self had enemas for other reasons (am now 25w with my first) and can not say that it was not so bad. It feels like a watery diarrhoea and I did not find it much of a deal. I guess that it is a personal preference, but I rather poo before hand than seeing floaters in the birthing pool

pooing will be the least of your worries when in labour... Honestly, when the baby is on route you won't give a sh1t .!!

Dignity......whats that! with dd I had a 2nd degree tear, it involved x4 people looking at my lady garden..1 of which was a man! Oh but he did introduce himself and ask if it was ok for him to take a look... Ask dh was my reply .

Relax,it will all be fine..xx

My Mum had enemas, and was shaved when she had me and DB. She does not recommend it

I still don't know if I poo'd or not when in labour!!! I do know that I insisted that I needed a wee, ignoring the midwife who told me it was the pressure of dd's head. I kept on insisting, my dh tells me over the course of 2hrs, and during which time the midwife gave me a bedpan ten times, and which I returned empty ten times. Eventually I was given a catheter....which promptly revealed no wee. It's true, it's true. You have no dignity. None. And you won't care.

according to dh I didn't poo either with dd or ds...not that he saw anyway lol!

Gosh, that weeing bit reminded me midge25..when I had ds I had drunk sooooooooooooooooo much that I honestly had about 4 wee's.........like niagra falls . I remember being lifted onto a bed pan as the epi I had made my legs to weak to walk etc..not dignified at all...visions of a massive post baby woman sat (in a fashion) on a bed pan...
Oh and the last few times, I was at the stage of "i need a wee but it won't come as im now under pressure" so the mw was kind enough to run the taps for me even more when the consultant came in and asked why the taps were running .

Poor dh, and he still fancies me.. !!

My first was born in France, where they gave me an enema as part of the routine, and it was fine, not too uncomfortable. When I had my second baby here in the UK, I was aware of the poo, (and I could smell it, eew!). Although the labour was excruciating, I was still aware and embarrassed. I wish I could have had another enema! I'm having twins next week and I'm considering trying to get one at the chemist to smuggle into hospital with me...

i had my second baby last week and had an enema. I was induced, so did have time to calmly have it. I had previously been told it was messy etc, but nothing could be further from the truth. It is a gel/cream which is inserted, it takes between 2 and 10 mins to work, and then you feel the need to go, and go and sit on the loo and have a good clear out - i had very little runny stuff, and all was over within 5 mins. I had one as I felt quite bunged up and uncomfortable, so was offered one - if i had another child I would just complain about being/feeling very constipated and I assume one would be given.

The MW said about 90% of women do a poo in labour, as I did with my first, and as others have said, you really won't care, or know anything about it - well, i didn't anyway.