Enema by choice?

[IdentityCrisisMama]

I'm reading Spiritual Midwifery right now and they have mentioned enemas a few times. I realize that that is a somewhat old fashioned idea that was maybe more often used in the hospital but I was wondering if anyone does these for homebirths these days. Why and why not?

[mntnmom]

I can actually see where they might be a good idea for some women. During my first hospital birth, I lost bowel control, and was rather humiliated by comments made by the staff. I was very nervous about it happening again with the next birth, and an enema might have helped me relax and push more effectively instead of clenching.
As far as I know, there is no medical reason not to. But I suppose being subjected to one as a routine could be humiliating as well. I am very glad they aren't "required", but maybe they should be offered.

[lifeguard]

I would definitely consider it with my next. I was constipated during labour (which is very strange for me) & felt it hindered my pushing. I was self-conscious about it & it was uncomfortable. Mind you next time I would like to avoid being induced so maybe it won't be a problem.

[mambera]

Originally Posted by mntnmom

During my first hospital birth, I lost bowel control, and was rather humiliated by comments made by the staff.

Are you serious?! Losers!!! You would think they'd be beyond that, having doubtless seen it happen countless times before.

an enema might have helped me relax and push more effectively instead of clenching.

Ditto. I did not lose bowel control but I was so afraid I would that it definitely hindered the pushing. I had actually considered giving myself an enema beforehand but as it turned out I was in no mood to do that, plus I had a bout of loose stool in early labor that did the job for me.

As far as I know, there is no medical reason not to. But I suppose being subjected to one as a routine could be humiliating as well. I am very glad they aren't "required", but maybe they should be offered.

[ExuberantDaffodil]

I was going to give myself one at the onset of labor, but everything progressed so quickly that I never got to it. I also accidented all over the place. My husband and mom (the only ones there for the birth) were very polite and gentle about it. If I ever have another baby, I will definitely again try to remember to give myself an enema.

[ColwynsMommy]

Well, I wish I'd had one on hand. I'd thought about it frequently during my last pregnancy, but thought the idea of having a very short labor, while trying to spend time in the birth pool, while experiencing the effects of an enema just sounded unpleasant.

But I ended up with 48 hours of early labor, where after each contraction I felt like I had to go to the bathroom, but couldn't. I don't think I was really constipated because everything went back to normal after the baby was born.. but maybe an enema would have helped.

My husband and I were just talking the other day about how I really hadn't wanted to give birth on the toilet (in fact, it was my second to last choice, just ahead of on hands and knees--for vanity reasons).. but it ended up being great because I wasn't concerned at all about pooping while pushing.. I mean, that's what you're supposed to do on the toilet! But I continued on to tell him how I really, really want to give birth in bed this time, and then it hit me.. yuck, that means I'd probably end up pooping in our bed! Granted, there would be chux and whatnot, but I had never thought of that before, and it's grossing me out.

So now I'm thinking that I should have an enema on hand in case I decide one would be helpful. I would hate to be forced into it, but I'm sure it could help in some circumstances.

[MyBoysBlue]

I never considered it but my placenta wouldn't come out until I was able to sit on the toilet and it came out along with my bowel movement. I think it was restricting the placenta from moving out.

[SheBear]

i've been thinking about this lately....planning my 4th homebirth (5th baby), and pooping in labor doesn't bother me. Its absolutely true what they say--shit happens!

However, I had no issues with constipation with my first 3 births....no hemorrhoids afterward, either! But my last birth....

It was great all the way up to the wire....but literally 3 days before I gave birth, I became constipated, and couldn't get it to resolve! I now think there was a huge emotional component to it (my midwife was getting REALLY flakey, and I was very troubled by that. Plus my mother had come to help, and while it was great to have her there--seriously--she and I have always had our little issues, and she'd been there for 2 weeks already, which was starting to wear on me.

So anyway, I was constipated when I went into labor, and my body didn't do the "normal" early labor flushing that lots of women experience. It made my labor much worse, especially the pushing stage--it was nearly as long as with my first, hospital birth! And, joy of joys, I also ended up with a rectocele, which I firmly attribute to the constipation during labor!

So now, preparing for this child, I'm paranoid about constipation going into labor.....and the last couple days, I've been a bit constipated, so that makes me even more nervous!

Right now, I'm focusing on getting LOTS more fiber and water, and even taking a fiber supplement each night. But I'm also considering an enema in early labor....my current midwife mentioned that as a possibility one time in passing when I was telling her about my last experience.

I haven't talked to her about it indepth, and of course I will--I have no clue how to do one, for starters! I still have a few weeks to get it figured out, but I'm thrilled to see this thread!

[hram]

My mother had an enem 22 years ago when she had my brother because thats what everyone did. They didnt even get it halfway done and she was screaming to get it out. She said from then on the pain was almost unbearable. So I dont know if that is the normal experience or not but she said it was the starting point of a very hard and physically traumatic birth.

I had a great midwife and my dh is awesome in those situations. Not very sensitive but takes orders great (he is in the military). So before there was even a mess, he was cleaning me up. Its common to have a bowel movement, midwives should be used to it. Its no big deal.

[Plummeting]

With DD, my water broke but labor still hadn't started several hours later. I went with an enema out of fear that if I didn't, I'd end up getting pitocin instead. My labor started about 10 minutes after the pooping did, but I've never been able to tell if it was worth it. It sort of just added a whole 'nother level of discomfort to the labor process. Luckily it didn't last long, but still...I don't know that I'd do it again. I mean, if my options were enema or pit, I'd try the enema, but the most likely thing I'd do is just wait a little longer and labor would probably start on its own. I don't know if I'd do an enema just to avoid pooping while pushing. It really was very uncomfortable. The enema-induced diarrhea was the worst part of the first hour or two of labor for me.

[IdentityCrisisMama]

I was also really constipated at the end of my pregnancy and feel as though that prevented labor from progressing as well as it could. I never got any early loosening on the bowels and instead (TMI warning) kind of squeezed out meconium like poop for the entire labor it seemed. While it is true that for most women labor is enough to make one forget about the poop I did feel there was a connection between not being able to satisfactorily push out a poop and pushing out the baby.

I'm really interested in the idea of a lot less going on down there for this next birth. I also like the idea of bringing labor on. Though I know that this next labor may well be shorter I could have done with a few less hours the first time around. ; - )

Check out this dude's site:
http://www.lifeknox.com/childbirth.htm

[skyblufig]

I don't think I'd do an enema, but I'm considering *something* to clean myself out, as it were, this time around. I still shudder inwardly when I think about pooping in my dh's face and him cleaning me up last time. Yes, yes, I know it's natural and all that, but still, doesn't do much for us on the intimacy scale. With my ds, my body cleaned itself out in early labor, but with my dd, not so much. I think I'd consider a light dose of olive oil before I'd do an enema. But that's just me.

[MegBoz]

Well, what I haven't seen posted yet is that having an enema doesn't even guarantee that you won't have a bowel movement while pushing! So, they seem to me to be of very little value.

I wasn't inhibited about it, knowing that it's common & normal. I was on hands & knees in the hospital & the MW said, "Meg, you're going to feel something warm," & put a cloth to my perinium. I said "Thanks" totally assuming she was wiping away some poo for me! I felt grateful that she was wisking it away quickly! Then, she held the cloth there & I remembered, "Oh yeah! She's holding warm compresses on my perineum to help reduce tearing!" Ha!

Point being, I did not poo, but I thought I had & it didn't inhibit me. I can understand though one being offered & a Mama should be educated on how it can be beneficial if she's constipated.

In terms of enema-induced diarrhea, I think the solution used in an enema makes a difference - the standard stuff, (not sure what it is) or just warm water. I'm not sure about that though.

[ann_of_loxley]

I'm gonna do one. Just warm sterile water. As highly recommended by a friend. If anything, to perhaps lessen my chances of a floater in the birthing pool. They can't hurt, so I don't see why not. I always hear people regretting not doing one...never the other way around lol

[IdentityCrisisMama]

MegBoz (I'm in Baltimore too)

I did read that about the enema not preventing a BM while birthing - in several sites. Though in the most recent edition of Spiritual Midwifery they do mention it to avoid pooping for mothers who are inhibited in that way.

What I don't see written a whole lot is the role it plays in labor other than in induction. I think that is kind of strange. With the exception of the very interesting article I linked above and enema is either recommended to induce labor or prevent pooping. I figure if it can be used to induce it must have some impact on labor that does not need induction, no?

[khaoskat]

It has the same effect as Castor Oil (or is that caster oil, LOL).

By stimulate the bowls, the movement of the bowls will stimulate your uterus and make it contract.

(BTDT that the castor oil)

[IdentityCrisisMama]

So if you're already in labor it will stimulate and contract the uterus more than it already was? That seems ok by me. ; - )

[bubbagirl]

I am 33 weeks in my first pregnancy, and while I have no experience giving birth, I do have experience with enemas. I have utlitized them for health and detoxing for the past decade and do intend on cleaning myself out before the birth. There is no guarantee that you won't still go while pushing, unless you completely clean yourself out (many qts of water till the water runs clean in an actual enema bag and not a fleet enema) and don't eat anything at all after the enema.

I have been giving myself enemas at least every 10 days throughout this pregnancy so I wouldn't feel too stopped up or full/compressed and hope to do them more frequently (1-2 a week) for the last few weeks and a total cleanse when I feel like labor is starting (that is if I am lucky enough to know what it is when it starts).

There are a lot of great resources online on how to do them properly so they won't hurt and so they are most effective. Don't be scared of them especially if you administer them yourself.