Waterbirth and Enema

PSUBean22 · May 2010

Is ayone doing a waterbirth and told they have the option of an enema...or just going to give themselves one before heading to the birth center/hospital?

DaniGirl0517 · May 2010

Just assuming, but if that's what you have been told by your birth center/hospital I'm assuming it's because they don't want to be skimming out any feces that may occur. If you have the choice I'd recommend doing it yourself as it would likely be more gentle than they will do.

PSUBean22 · May 2010

well they recommend we bring a fish net to scoop poop...but I think I might just get a fleet enema and do it at home before we leave if at all.

amygauntt@windstream.net · May 2010

My hospital gives an enema if you have a water birth. It was really NO big deal. And they gave me the option of doing it myself, or them doing it, I let the nurse do it & it was fine.

I'll do it the same way this time.

AllieJean · May 2010

Im not going to do an enema, my midwife never even suggested it, she just brought a little fish net over for if we need it.

CoastieWife08 · May 2010

We were told at our third trimester class at the midwifery center that if we plan on getting in the tub to administer a Fleet enema before coming in. They said that if we have a bowel movement in the tub, we have to get out.

I need to ask at my next apt at what point I'm supposed to administer it.

MelBolt · May 2010

I had a waterbirth at home and didn't have an enema. My midwife never mentioned it. I don't believe I poo'ed in the tub. If so, my midwife took care of it before I even noticed.

d.cubed · May 2010

Here's what I've heard:

Water birth in hospital - they need to give you the enema because they re-use those tubs all of the time. Even though they obviously disinfect prior to each use, they want to avoid any chance of contamination (especially in those jets).

Water birth at home - the tubs are used much less so the risk of infection is minimal. They don't need to be as picky about your poop floating around! Plus, there aren't those jets for yuckiness to get caught in!

nosoup4u · May 2010

I think having to have an enema before being allowed to do waterbirth goes against the whole premise of low-/no-intervention birth, frankly - pooping is the way the body preps before the baby comes out.

And having an enema at any time - much less during labor - is the absolute last thing I would ever ever want to do. I say bring on the fish nets!

leviandlandensmom · May 2010

I had three water births and never had an enema. Your body naturally gets rid of that stuff on it's own before labor.

goodheartedmommy · May 2010

nosoup4u:
I think having to have an enema before being allowed to do waterbirth goes against the whole premise of low-/no-intervention birth, frankly - pooping is the way the body preps before the baby comes out.
And having an enema at any time - much less during labor - is the absolute last thing I would ever ever want to do. I say bring on the fish nets!

I agree with this. As for the sanitary issue, what about a child who passes their meconium in the water? Or the blood? It should all be cleaned and sanitized completely. The idea of an enema for a natural birth is bizarre.

HRMJPC · May 2010

This is funny b/c my mom still raves about how good it felt to get her enemas before having myself and my brother.

I, on the other hand, generally don't like things going into my butt, so I will just let nature take its course on this one!

BubbleToes · May 2010

MelBolt:
I had a waterbirth at home and didn't have an enema. My midwife never mentioned it. I don't believe I poo'ed in the tub. If so, my midwife took care of it before I even noticed.

Ditto but sub out birth center for home birth. I can't imagine getting an enema while in labor.

erinkate23 · June 2010

This never came up while I was signing the waterbirth papers.... I didn't end up being able to have a WB but an enema was not part of the plan.

Waterbirth and Enema

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