Anyone used a home enema in early labour?

[Abitembarassed]

Considering this to try to avoid the whole pooh-ing in childbirth thing.

Has anyone ever used a home enema in early stage labour, what was it like? Did it stop you pooh-ing in childbirth? Was it hideous?

Is this your first birth? Ime, we're all terrified of pooing for first labours - then most people don't actually care when it comes to it - mws are very discrete & used to a bit of poo around the place.
I assured my dh i hadn't poo-ed in labour. He smiled gently and said 'You mean you didn't NOTICE pooing..."

When I had DS1 14 years ago I had a very old-fashioned midwife who gave me an enema and to be honest it was the worst part of giving birth.

yes. Not specifically to avoid pooing during child birth, but to avoid feeling uncomfortably constipated during labour.

It was a small microlax enema, I used it myself, no uncomfortable at all.

Thanks people,

that's the other reason Belgo, just the idea of feeling all bunged up is horrible. I just think I will relax more if I've had one.

The microlax one, would you recomnmend it, was it ok?

Thanks people,

that's the other reason Belgo, just the idea of feeling all bunged up is horrible. I just think I will relax more if I've had one.

The microlax one, would you recomnmend it, was it ok?

I personally would recommend the microlax, but it's the only time I've ever used one!

Most women will have a natural clear out of the bowels during the early stages of labour, so the chances are, you might not need it anyway.

I asked my mw about having an enema this time around and she said I can be given some kind of suppositories. I'm with you on the feeling more relaxed front. It was by far and away the worst part of giving birth last time and if I can avoid it happening again then I really want to.

Where can you buy the microlax one?

want to hear my gross story sof hospital administered enemas and how they can end in more embarrassment not less?
(won't tell it if you don't want to know )

My labours have been really fast so wouldn't have had time but the thought of an enema, well if anyone suggested it I would lamp them one.

Have pooed twice in labour, DP cleaned it up last time, I couldn't care less there that much else happening. Also I didn't realise that thats the muscles you are supposed to use to get the baby out and it feels like a giant poo.

morocco - no one should ever be co-erced into having something like an enema.

They are given out to every women in labour in Belgium - and I do try and tell my friends that they can refuse if they don't want it!

Ooh yes please morocco let's hear it.

My mum tells me it was standard here to have an enema (30+ years ago) and also to be shaved fully before the birth. She thought it was so dreadful it was one of the reasons behind her having a homebirth next time round.

Do tell, morocco.

PS my midwife friend told me VERY NEARLY EVERYONE does it during labour whether they realise it or not. I did last time. Didn't particularly bother me, we're not talking huge amounts. Friend of mine tells a great story about her husband quite enjoying fishing for her little brown floaters when she had a water-birth ...

forgot to say a microlax enema may only clear you out enough to make you feel comfortable - because it's small it's unlikely to getting everything out iyswim! (unlike some of the huge evil phosphate enemas which I would steerr clear of, but which probably work better).

We're still waiting morroco!!!

An enema won't stop you pooing in labour - what it will mean is that the poo is all runny and will go everywhere and is much more difficult to clean up and much more noticible to all in the room.

Marx

My hospital will do one for you when you get there if you ask.

Yeah, c'mon Morocco, dish the dirt

sorry for suspense - crying baby to sort out
so, this was 'abroad' where they do things differently lol
I had laboured at home for about 4 hours, had loads of diarrhoea, then gone to hospital and told had to have enema. horrified! but obs v insistent even tho I explained about diarrhoea etc so in a fluster I agreed. anyhow, v bad idea on obs part as she was bending down to get a good look at cervix etc when all of a sudden - well, you can guess - but let me tell you, it was more projectile than anything else, and very very loose
funnily enough, even tho I was at about 9cms then and pretty away with the fairies, I laughed and laughed (but just in my head, in case she got cross!) served her right!
no dignity to that enema I can tell you.

umm, yes Morocco, I was lurking but I'm getting rather impatient now

LOL!!! crossed posts, that is funny Serves her right, you warned her!