Enema before delivery?

crystaldh · October 2014

I know this isn't the most pleasant topic, but I'd rather ask it here, than say over dinner at my in-laws.

In my childbirth class, the nurse mentioned that some women may choose to have an enema during early labor to avoid having a bowel movement during labor. Is this a common thing? I've never heard of it before. And also, should it be done while laboring at home or upon arriving at the hospital? Would it be too uncomfortable to do at the hospital because contractions would be stronger then? Sorry, but I'm a FTM and clueless.

Jatpa003 · October 2014

Could depend on the place but it is not done as common practice at any of the hospitals near me. Poop is not the worst thing, it shows the nurses you are pushing properly. And in most cases you won't know if you pooped or not unless someone tells you.

crystaldh · October 2014

Yeah, it was the first time I had heard about it, so then I started wondering if this is something I should do, like a common courtesy to the nurses. (And one of the L&D nurses teaches the class.)

Havana2014 · October 2014

The impression I got was that this was an outdated practice. As said before they are well used to a little poop - the midwife at our class said your body will have cleared most of it out, and when it goes happen it tends to be a small amount, you don't even know it's happened and they whip it away quickly.

krgriffin26 · October 2014

My SIL had one with both her kids because her L&D nurse mother recommended it. She has also recommended to me. I probably will have one. Couldn't hurt. Plus my hemmies will show them enough if I'm pushing right lol

lil_shocker · October 2014

I wouldn't do it. I probably pooped with my son, but I have no idea. Unless you really like enemas. Poop is probably far from the grossest thing to come out during labor.

crystaldh · October 2014

I've never had one and I really don't think I would enjoy it, but what do I know.

The nurse also said it would help make room for the baby and then I read somewhere it can help with contractions.

ssstephanie214 · October 2014

I had the same thought as you--being all backed up is uncomfortable! I don't want to have to shit while in labor. Like I understand it could/will happen but if it's avoidable then I'd like to avoid it.

But the nurse who taught my class said that the nurses will laugh if you request an enema. I was surprised at that.

schrijiver · October 2014

I had to have an enema when I was in the hospital with my blood clot. It was one of the most uncomfortable miserable experiences of my life. Of course I was in pain and it also made me nauseous so I ended up puking on myself too. And maybe home ones aren't as intense as a hospital grade one, I don't know, but I didn't make it from the bed to the bathroom. I'd much rather poop while giving birth than ever get an enema again. Sorry if that was TMI but just my 2 cents!

lesliegolem · October 2014

I worried about pooping with my first. Now with my second I could care less. For me (and I'm sure most people) there will be so much going on the day I go into labor I won't have the time nor do I want to worry about doing an enema before going to the hospital. My husband who watched our first baby come into the world said there was a lot more gross stuff that came out and if there was poop he didn't notice. The pressure of a baby coming out is so bad too I can't imagine if poop needed to come out you'd notice. OK I've written about poop enough for tonight lol I'm curious to see if others have done this and what they thought.

Celticlass6 · October 2014

The hospital that I'll be delivering at will not do them, even if you request it before labor. So, it wasn't something I even thought about as an option. I figure, if I poo, I poo!

sweetbabyrahe · October 2014

I wouldn't want to deal with enema pain plus labor pain. I know I pooped a very little bit with Ds because I saw it in the mirror, but the nurse cleaned it right away and it was nothing.

silverwings72 · October 2014

DH and I agreed that we really don't see ourselves looking south. He will be a "north daddy" and I have no desire to use a mirror. Maybe that will change when I'm actually in the moment, I don't know. But if I poop, eh. At least DH won't see it.

crystaldh · October 2014

schrijiver described, I might just opt out and take my chances. Thanks for the input ladies!

carcrashheart · October 2014

Pooping is going to be the least of your concerns.

Also, DH wanted to stay north. Then they had him grab a leg and that was the end of that. He said he tried to not look but it didn't work out so well. He asked if he could not hold a leg this time. I told him I don't give a shit if he's he holds a leg. Though at the time I bet it was nice to have his support. I'm considering flat out telling the nurses that he isn't to be asked to hold a leg. Not sure that's possible. I don't remember how many nurses were there to know if there were two to man my legs.

crystaldh · October 2014

Holding legs up sounds so tiring. I think I would just rather squat.

mrsodonnell12 · October 2014

Oh hell no!!! No way....

Acedit · October 2014

Getting an enema is an option at the hospital I will deliver in. The way they describe it is your uterus, bowels and bladder all are in the same area. Having your bowels and your bladder empty will make more room for the baby to move down and out. Your body will naturally pass stool at some point, but an enema ensures it happens sooner than later. If it helps my labor progress I'm all for it....

hidingangel82 · October 2014

I have nothing helpful to offer, but I have to share a gross story that I think of every time I see this thread...
My mother had a friend who had an enema done in the hospital, but she went very fast and was in active labor before it kicked in. There she was, pushing, doc sitting in front of her to check her out, when the enema kicked in.
Let's just say the doc had to change clothes and shoes after, and that I'm scarred for like on thinking of using an enema, ever.

Carebella · October 2014

mrsodonnell12 said:
Oh hell no!!! No way....

This. Times 1000x. As much as I'd rather not push out anything other than baby, if I'm still stressing about it when labor starts I think instead I'll try switching Jamba Juice before and just using the bathroom as much as possible before transition/pushing...

missnacholover · October 2014

In my Labor class it sounded like this was an outdated practice - along with routine episiotomies. I'm not too worried about pooping because....

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