TMI type question...

[pumpkinsmama]

To enema.... or not to enema, that is the question.

Prior to my "c-section" with DS I had just been about to get an enema as I didn't really want to poop while pushing and the nurse offered it. I've never had one, still... and didn't have time for more than a ..."that sounds better than the alternative" decision at the time.

Is there any reason not to get an enema? I read something the other day about excretions near the anus containing, interestingly enough... good bacteria for populating gut flora. (I think that was what I read) but I don't know how much or if at all that actually comes in contact with baby or if an enema would affect that.

Plus... how yucky is it? Does it hurt at all? and Can you do it by yourself? It kind of defeats the purpose for me if I've got someone in their watching... might as well just do it while pushing then.

[the_lissa]

Enemas are pretty unnecessary. Most people have a lot of frequent stools at the beginning of labour, and not everyone has a bowel movement when pushing. I had the tiniest bit and my midwife wiped it away like nothing.

[~*~MamaJava~*~]

I wouldn't get one. Lots of people do a little poop. Lots don't, though, too - in many of the discussions I've had with girlfriends about birthing babies, early labour diarrhea comes up Your system cleans itself out pretty good sometimes.

I haven't had one before, but I wouldn't think it was too enjoyable Don't worry about it!

[XanaduMama]

ugh, I definitely wouldn't get one. I too was anxious beforehand about having a bm while pushing, but believe me: when it happened I couldn't have cared less! the nurse was totally unfazed and wiped it away as if it was expected. I think the enema would be way more uncomfortable and humiliating...

[boscopup]

My body cleared me out as I was going into transition (which is really good since I was on complete bedrest during labor unless I needed to have a bowel movement, and I *really* wanted to be upright during that time). But if I hadn't, I wouldn't have wanted an enema. Poop during pushing is NORMAL and nothing to worry about. I don't think I would have seen it even if I had had it.

I do have a friend who asked for an enema because she was really constipated during labor, and that was helpful to her. I think this was for her induction labor, so I don't know if the induction made it easier to be constipated or not. But obviously, if you're in pain due to constipation, an enema might be useful. But as far as just clearing you out so you don't poop during pushing - I don't think it's necessary.

[purpsurfer]

I work in L&D and just about everyone has a little poop. Its not big deal at all. Its really pretty small about 99% of the time. Its not like a LOG or anything!

And BTW, we don't give enemas to laboring women ever.

[pumpkinsmama]

Thanks for the replies! TBH when I read other birth stories and heard that they pooed I did think it was a gross big log! I'm a lot less freaked out now!

[MidwifeErika]

You know, in 2 births if I have pooped during the birth, it was so teeny tiny that it went completely unnoticed (and I had a DH who stared at my crotch the whole time, so he would have noticed anything big).... pretty sure there wasn't anything for my waterbirth as the water was really, really clear after the birth yet. Now, it totally felt like I had to poop while pushing him out and that made me kind of hold back on my pushing some, which I wish I hadn't let it get to me. Chances are good that the hormones that get labor going will also have you emptying your bowels in early labor, so an enema wouldn't really be any more effective then that.... unless you for some reason are constipated. Pooping is soooooo totally normal though, so don't feel bad or embarassed if it happens!!