Enemas

I know enemas aren't (and haven't been for a long time) a done practice prior to delivery, but an interesting conversation got me thinking recently.
A group of us were talking about birth, one mum of 4 was describing her last birth and how she knew she needed to poo and did NOT want to do it on the bed - but midwife said no, it's just the baby. But she did poo and said very embarassed.
So it go me thinking and at the time I think I even said, I'd prefer the enema at the start than the indignity of pooing on the bed or floor or wherever you birth.
I don't see having an enema as anywhere as demeaning as pooing infront of people in a place you shouldn't poo!

Any thoughts?

all the babies i have caught of those mums who did poo it was a small amount, easy enough to discreatly wipe away so no one else in the room was aware of it and i dont draw attention to it.
i know i pooed giving birth, i even made jokes about it and whilst doing it. for me an enema would be millions times more traumatic that going during childbirth.

The fear I have of birth far outweighs worrying about pooing!!

When I was having my second birth, my midwife said that I had a very full bowel and it would be easier if I went to the toilet because it would make it easier for the baby to be born, I asked for an enema because the last thing on my mind was trying to poo while having strong contractions and she said that I really didn't want an enema and that it would be uncomfortable and messy and it would be better to just go to the toilet. I was worried because I pooed when I was giving birth the first time and didn't want to repeat the experience in a hurry. So I duly went to the toilet and it was the most difficult thing I have ever done LOL. After that I decided who the **** cares? If you poo you poo. It's not like they have never seen it happen before and sometimes despite your best efforts it's just unavoidable. Birth is messy and poo is often a part of it. Like they say, **** happens :lol

Have you ever had an enema? LOL Not sure you could call it dignified.

There is nothing demeaning about birthing a baby with trained professionals, which is what midwives are. ;)
Generally speaking, your body takes care of most of that issue at the very beginning of labour, and there is very little left to eliminate during the birth itself anyway.

Well when I have bad period cramps, I usually get diharrea with it - so perhaps I'll get cleaned out the natural way?

Yeah no. Everyone I know who have had an enema (not for birth, one chick had it so she could have...well, I'm sure you can guess) have said its terrible, loads of diarrhoea and messy. I pooed just before DD crowned and I didn't find it embarrassing. I expected to poop, because I was on iron and therefore constipated, and hasn't been the day labour started, so I knew DD's head was going to push it out. The midwife just grabbed loo paper and wiped it away and popped it in the loo as it came out. I'd say having a firm, normal poo would be better than a bit of left over slop from the enema shooting out lol. I also can't think of a better way to disrupt the calm and gentleness of early labour than sticking a tube up my butt :lol:

DD1 I was worried anout pooing so used a glycerol suppository while it home, and felt more comfertable after. My main fear was not being able to push effectively because I was concerned about pooing

DD2 early labour lead me to have the runs so didnt need to worry about anything.

DD3 I laboured most the day at my parents so didn't have the opportunity to use a suppositry and when I was ppushing I did a tiny poo.

Personally if I was having another baby I probably would use a suppository because I feel more comfertable if I have emptied out before I start labour. I would use an enema as they can be messy, give you belly ache and the runs for longer. I don't think women need to have suppositories or enemas but if they think it would make them more comfertable I think it should be an option. Same as how shaving downstairs before birth isnt a regular practice anymore but fore me keeping things tidy helped me feel cleaner when dealing with lochia. Each to their own :)

I've thought about this heaps. I don't think I would, but I'm open to the idea.

Nah, not again. Nothing worse than having contractions on the loo while trying to poo. By the time you get to the pushing baby out stage you will have other things on your mind than pooing! I'm sure it's all part if the job!

Hmm I hadn't thought about it but this thread made me have a conversation with DH and I planted the seed that if I do a poop he's not to mention it to me ever!

Had one with #1... It was just protocol and I didn't question it. It was degrading and embarrassing! Caused bad bowel movements for days to follow.

Baby's head causing the last of your bowel to empty is totally normal and a great indicator for the progress of labour. If you pass a little bit of poo... A head is not too far away :) care providers are used to it an they expect it.