Let's talk enemas...

mrsf123

So obviously this isn't something hospitals do routinely anymore.

At my childbirth ed class last night, the L&D nurse said that we should think about whether or not we want to get an enema when we arrive at the hospital. I asked her why we'd want to, like, is it just to avoid pooping on the table?  She said that this way, you won't have to poop for a few days and so you won't have to worry about that in that area for a few days.  She said that she'd want to have one.

So, second time moms, did anyone get an enema?

And everyone, what do you think about what she said?

Sweets2005

I wouldn't do it!

t.bird

no enema.

i went that morning (before my induction) and i still crapped while pushing. it's not a lot- and i wouldn't have even known if i didn't have a mirror.

and then i didn't go again until 4 days later.

KTH919

I didn't get one with DS. I pooped on the table and don't care. It happens all the time, and truly it is the last thing you're worried about. They'll give you stool softeners after you give birth to make it easier on you.

BabyAlger

Don't do it. It's not necessary. Plus, you can't leave the hospital until you have one bowl movement anyway so you don't want to make it harder on yourself. If you are worried about pooping on the table... don't be. It happens. I ate raisin bran before my induction and went to the bathroom naturally in the morning before going so it wouldn't be too bad. Seriously, it will be the last thing on your mind when you're pushing.

hewinked

I did not have an enema.  I also did not poop on the table, but I was in PTL and was not allowed to eat while they were trying to stop labor, so my tummy was basically empty.  My nurses asked me about 100 times between labor and going home if I had pooped.  I have even heard some people saying that they were not allowed to go home until they pooped.  I guess they wanna make sure everything is going ok down there, not really sure for that reasoning.  I did go while still at the hospital, and it wasnt' the horror show that everyone said it would be. 

Arielle27

I wouldn't want an actual enema (i.e. an invasive procedure), but I would definitely take anything they could give me orally to 'clean' myself out when I get to the hospital. I think it would just be more comfortable to push later if I didn't think I was crapping everywhere!

carrie204

I did not get one nor do I plan to this time.  That being said, I pooped on the table : )  With the nurses help.. gross I know.  I actually was thankful though being as how I had been backed up for 9 months.  I am the same this time too... constipation sucks.  I found the secret dose of stool softeners to make me go though so about twice a week I pop 4 at night and 4 in the morning and I am cleaned out!   sorry if that's tmi but it's a thought and you can do it in the privacy of  your own home. 

xmasbabymama

You can give one to yourself if you really wanted to. I wouldn't really consider it an "invasive procedure." But it's not really pleasant.

I had severe problems with constipation while I was pregnant. I had a c-section and then took pain pills after the surgery. I repeatedly asked for stool softenters in the hospital and I got 1 - on the day I was discharged. I was not required to have BM before leaving and it was literally 8 days post delivery that I finally had DH go and buy one for me. It was not fun.

NewFamily09

I wouldn't do it.  You get poked and prodded enough without adding something else on top.  But then, I never had any problems with constipation or hemerhoids or anything after birth.  Maybe because I ended up having a c section.

cherryghost

BabyAlger:

Don't do it. It's not necessary. Plus, you can't leave the hospital until you have one bowl movement anyway so you don't want to make it harder on yourself. If you are worried about pooping on the table... don't be. It happens. I ate raisin bran before my induction and went to the bathroom naturally in the morning before going so it wouldn't be too bad. Seriously, it will be the last thing on your mind when you're pushing.

cherryghost

BabyAlger:

Don't do it. It's not necessary. Plus, you can't leave the hospital until you have one bowl movement anyway so you don't want to make it harder on yourself. If you are worried about pooping on the table... don't be. It happens. I ate raisin bran before my induction and went to the bathroom naturally in the morning before going so it wouldn't be too bad. Seriously, it will be the last thing on your mind when you're pushing.

Really? Every hospital is probably different with the way they do things, but how the heck am I supposed to go when I haven't ate anything but ice chips??

hcmamm1

No way did last time nor would i this time.

MJHershey

I plan to drink a lot of plum juice and colace beforehand, that usually cleans me out. Plus for some people, the body naturally gives you "the runs" a few days before you deliver.

 

ktwilley

I was talking to my mom about this the other day. She is a retired L&D and NICU nurse. She said that they were routine in her day, and that now they just let everyone poop on the table. She also said that emptying your bowels can help labor progress more rapidly with the added benefit of not having to go for about two days after which is nice if you tear or are cut.

She suggesting doing a Fleet enema at home when I go into early labor since I'm nervous about pooping on the table. I also asked my OB about it, and she said that a lot of women get diarrhea in the early stages of labor so that clears you out too. That made me more worried about having diarrhea during pushing! Talk about embarrassing!! 

I'm still thinking about getting one. I think it will be a game time decision.  

longingtoholdher2010

I want one, even though I am having a home birth. I don't want to poop while pushing and I also don't want to have to try and push to go after baby is born because I imagine that it will be pretty sore down there and I don't want a laxative since I will be BFing and laxatives give you diarhea. If you get an enema you won't poop for a few days and when you do it won't burn like hell from the laxative alternative. Just my personal opinion.

cpmich

I wouldn't mind one.  They are still routine in a lot of other developed countries.  In my L&D tour, the nurse said that it is important to try to use the bathroom while in labor because it will help labor progress faster and that most women tend to forget that they need to due to all of the excitement.  While I don't really care one way or the other about pooping on the table (the nurses have seen it a thousand times), the idea of being constipated and in labor is unpleasant.