I gave birth to my son 3 months ago at a private hospital. When I was admitted to hospital, I was told that I was going to have an Enema to 'clean me out'. There wasnt any choice in the matter, it was simply the hospital's procedure - or so I was told. It was pretty gross from memory, especially as a contraction hit, and you are trying to hold it all in for the 15 mins.

Im not sure whether it was a good or bad thing because when I was at the pushing stage I really wouldnt have cared if anything happened to come out (sorry if TMI), but it was good to know (beforehand) that it was gone.